Being pregnant in the winter means that you will have some things to pay special attention to that you may not ordinarily have to during other months of the years. Some helpful tips for winter pregnancies include:


1. Maintain Hydration: During the cold weather, your body consumes water to humidify the air you breathe and to warm it up. Keeping hydrated will also help fight dry skin & maintain proper blood and amniotic fluid production.

2. Maintain Moisture to Nasal Passages: Nose bleeds seem to be more common during pregnancy due to hormones. But, the dry air of the winter months and from running the heater, can add an extra challenge to sensitive nasal passages. Restoring moisture to rooms by running a humidifier is helpful. Also, applying a pea-size amount of petroleum jelly to the inside of your nostrils and using a saline spray can help to reduce the dryness and prevent nose bleeds. Always call your doctor if nose bleeds are frequent or are difficult to stop.

3. Dress in Layers: Since your body runs about 2 degrees higher than normal during pregnancy, you may find that dressing in layers is most comfortable. For a layered outfit, try wearing a simple tank top under a light-weighted maternity sweater.

4. Wear Comfortable Boots with Good Traction: Invest in a pair of comfortable boots with good traction if you live in an area where snow and ice are prevalent. Pregnancy hormones, making you joints looser than normal, coupled with the fact that your center of gravity is off, can make you more susceptible to falls. If you exercise outdoors, consider buying a pregnancy-specific exercise DVD to use indoors.

5. Moisturize your Skin: Cold and windy weather makes your skin dry and itchy, so moisturizing with a safe, natural, and gentle unscented lotion is helpful. Also, keep your lips moist and prevent them from becoming dry and cracked with lip balm.