While summer may not be the most comfortable season to be pregnant, Santa Cruz with its many microclimates is a great place to be for the summer. Damp and foggy mornings provide a welcome break to hot afternoons. A walk on West Cliff in the early evening can provide exercise, a beautiful view and most often a cooling ocean breeze. A quick drive up to Felton, Boulder Creek, or the Aptos hills will find shady redwoods and babbling creeks.

To beat the heat, dress for comfort from top to bottom. A sundress, airy and lightweight (and no waistband), is perfect for a heat wave. It’s no secret that ditching those snug undies in favor of some cool cotton boxer shorts can provide the ultimate in comfort, if not fashion, underneath. A wide-brimmed hat provides portable shade and can help minimize chloasma, the darkening pigmentation of the face some can experience. Hot weather combined with later stages of pregnancy often leads to puffy feet, which means time to slip into some sandals! If those toes are out of reach, a nice pedicure with a foot massage thrown in might be just the ticket. Depending on restrictions and personal comfort levels with going out and about during the ongoing pandemic, it might be time for an Epsom salt foot soak and family members to hone their nail painting skills.

Lots and lots of fresh cool water, both inside and out is appreciated on a hot day. Dehydration in pregnancy can cause unwanted contractions and increase the possibility of developing a urinary tract infection. Help avoid both by consuming plenty of liquids – low in sugar and non-caffeinated is best. Water on the outside usually means swimming; a great way to cool down and get some exercise when it’s otherwise too hot to work out. This year, though, with many public pools remaining closed during the pandemic, many expectant families will have to settle for dipping their toes into the cold ocean waves, wading in a creek or setting up a kiddie pool in the yard. While the gravity-free environment of the swimming pool can be a great relief for pregnant bodies, this summer swimming may depend on knowing a kind neighbor or friend with a pool. A water-related tip for anyone with a baby still head up at 30 to 32 weeks pregnant – breech – is to spend some time swimming, surface diving and walking on hands underwater to help baby turn head down. If the water trick doesn’t work or the pools are closed, acupuncture with a moxa treatment and/or chiropractic care can often help baby change position.

Fresh fruits and vegetables, a must during pregnancy, abound this time of year – especially here in Santa Cruz County. Many families belong to Community Shared Agriculture and receive a “CSA box” filled with the week’s harvest from a local farm delivered to their home. Farmer’s markets happen nearly every day of the week in some part of the county, providing an opportunity for a little open air shopping and exercise (don’t forget your mask!) with a rich selection of (often organic) fruits and veggies. The WIC program (supplemental food for pregnant women and children) now provides an option that includes farmers markets. WIC is currently providing registration and services via phone calls instead of in-person visits.

Slowing down and listening to the pregnant body is so important when it’s hot outside. This year may take a little extra preparing to beat the heat. Normally, if it’s really hot pregnant folks can just head for somewhere air-conditioned: the mall, library, a restaurant or movie theater. However, with the current COVID 19 situation, enclosed spaces may not be the best idea. Instead, consider some ideas to cool your home and yard. Water misters that attach to a garden hose can make outside temperatures feel significantly more comfortable with no electricity needed in case of a hot day power outage. Electric fans work wonders, but check into a battery operated hand held fan as well. Plan ahead for labor by putting in a nice supply of electrolyte drinks like recharge or coconut water, finding a spray bottle with a mist setting, freeze up some labor-ade popsicles, and make sure to have plenty of ice on hand. More than one family has made an emergency run to the appliance store to buy a window air conditioner or room cooler during labor! And anyone experiencing the misery of morning sickness in the summer heat can hold on to the fact that they won’t be term pregnant in the middle of summer.

Acupuncturists and Chiropractors specializing in pregnancy – birthnet.org
WIC – communitybridges.org/wic
Farmer’s markets – santacruzfarmersmarket.org
CSA – localharvest.org
Labor-aide recipes freely available online