6 Tips for Winter Pregnancies

Being pregnant in the winter can bring-up some issues you haven’t thought about. Let’s talk about some things to watch out for during your winter time pregnancy! Number 3 was actually a big surprise to me (and a big risk) so keep reading!

BTW no matter the season, I’d love to follow you during your pregnancy and give you tips based on just where you’re at — so come join me:

Watch the Ice

You may be in an icy environment that you’ve been in your whole life, but now ice posses special risks. If you were to fall on your belly baby can be affected, and a fall is just worse when you’re pregnant than other times. It’s just harder to heal when you’re a non-pregnant person.

So, wear the shoes that give you good traction (goodbye heels for a bit) Find someone/something to hold onto, and use paths that are well shoveled and de-iced.

Also, if it’s icy outside consider if your car ride is really necessary. Being in accidents while pregnant carries significant risks, and while we have to still drive places, you may want to ask yourself if it’s worth it this time?

And, for the adventurous out there, I have a whole post on skiing during pregnancy.

Heads up! 👀 There may be affiliate links in here – I might earn a smidge with your click. No cost to you, just good vibes! Check my boring stuff for deets.

Hydrate Your Skin

Your skin may already be freaking out due to pregnancy. Don’t worry, it will hopefully go back to what it was before once you get all these crazy hormones out of your body.

But, you may need to take special care to hydrate your skin well during your pregnancy. If you’re finding extra dry patches (or dry lips) talk with your provider about what products might help you out! I’m a huge fan of this facial moisturizer, and the price is right. And this is my favorite lip balm when I’m really chapped!

Oh, and don’t forget that if you’re going to be outside you will will need the SPF, getting sunburned during pregnancy puts strain on your already-strained body so avoiding it is best!

And if you’re delivering soon, be sure to grab my hospital checklist (lip balm is MOST DEFINITELY on this list):

Higher Risk of Cholestasis

This one REALLY surprised me when I read it in a recent study. More people are diagnosed with Cholestasis during the winter months than they are in the rest of the year.

You probably haven’t heard of it, it’s fairly rare (thank goodness), but it is caused by reduced bile flow. This backs up into the liver and because of that bile acids enter the blood stream.

Honestly, they don’t know a whole lot about the causes of it in pregnancy, but it mostly is seen with really itchy palms and the bottoms of your feet, without a rash.

It can actually be really problematic to the pregnancy, so if you HAVE itchy palms and feet (I’m not talking an itch here or there, these people feel constantly itchy in those two areas) let your provider know.

Learn more about it here.

Love some medical facts like this — join me in here.

Risks to Baby

For my pregnant friends who are DUE in the winter, I want to talk about the risks to your baby. Honestly, these happen from about October to late March. This is referred to as flu/RSV season — meaning more people are sick.

You’ll want to think about staying home with baby as MUCH as possible. Until baby can get their first set of shots they’re at a pretty high risk for many diseases and their immune systems aren’t ready to handle it.

If there are crowded places you can avoid do so. If not avoidable try to do what you can from having baby around other people. Don’t let people who are ill near them, and never in their face (ill or not). So many people seem to want to kiss babies, but tell them your baby isn’t a fan of that.

For me, when I had to be out I tried to keep baby in a front pack and cover them with a blanket if there were lots of people. Be sure you’re peeking on them every few minutes make sure all is well, but it will make people think they’re asleep and no one wants to wake a sleeping baby. 🙂

It’s just something to be aware of as you plan life after baby!

Think of things like going to the store, or going to church. You may just want one partner to go (and possibly mask if a lot of people are ill), and one to stay home. Remember, this does NOT always need to be mom staying home. She needs to see people too!

This may actually even limit who can come visit in the hospital depending on your hospital’s policies, so you should check with them before you make visitor plans in the hospital. Many hospitals do not allow kids under a certain age (14-18 is what I’ve heard) to come to the hospital during flu season.

Dress in Layers

Pregnancy is tricky! I feel like it’s really similar to menopause in the fact that you’ll feel fairly “normal” for a while and then WHAM you’re hot as hades and need to jump out of your clothes.

I would recommend dressing in layers. I’m talking a T-shirt, a sweater, and maybe a vest…. What way you can be comfortable no matter what tricks your body is trying to pull on on you. I have some good clothing options here in my post on pregnancy clothes.

And of course, keep water nearby to stay hydrated!

Cuddle Up

The beauty of winter is when you’re chilly, it’s time to cuddle-up to the one you love. It’s time to turn into the one that you’re parenting this baby with. That cuddle time can give you lots of time to talk, and dream. Make plans and build a future together.

Enjoy those chilly mornings as you transform into the amazing parents you’re going to be. 🙂

Not sure what to talk about, or feel like you could use some help on this one — come join The Online Prenatal Class for Couples where we get BOTH of you prepared for birth, plus there’s a ton of questions you can talk about together about things like:

• Who’s going to be in the labor room
• Where baby will sleep (you’ll be surprised how couples have VERY different ideas on this one)
• How to manage life postpartum and help mom heal (SO important, and many people gloss over this).

Couples think it’s actually fun to do together, and I love that!

And, if you’re not quite sure you’re ready for that whole thing, check out the free lesson from it. It’s your first step toward getting in the driver’s seat of your birth.