24/06/2026
Surviving the June Heatwave: A Mama’s Guide to Keeping Cool ☀️
Let’s be entirely honest for a moment: growing a tiny human is a beautiful miracle, but with the UK temperatures hitting high this week, it is also incredibly hard, sweaty work!
Carrying that little person of love can make you feel like you've swallowed a literal radiator. Because your blood volume increases by nearly 50% during pregnancy, your internal thermostat is already dialled up, making this current humidity and heatwave feel so much more intense.
If you are currently sweltering, please know you aren't alone, and you don’t have to just suffer through it. Here are a few gentle, practical ways to help you stay cool, safe, and comfortable over these next few intense days.
1. Close the Curtains - Our British homes are brilliantly built to trap heat for winter, which means right now, they can quickly turn into greenhouses. Only open them late in the evening or early in the morning when the outside air drops a bit. If you are using a fan, pop a bowl of ice cubes right in front of it to create a lovely, makeshift air-con breeze.
2. Elevate Your Hydration - We all know we need to drink more water when expecting, but chugging plain water all day can feel like a chore. Make it an experience: Infuse a big pitcher of water with sliced cucumber, fresh mint, or frozen berries. It feels like a spa treat and keeps things interesting. Electrolytes are your friend: With the humidity making us sweat more than usual, coconut water or water with a splash of fresh lime and a tiny pinch of sea salt can do wonders for replacing essentials, helping to keep those pesky pregnancy leg cramps at bay.
3. The Quick-Chill Pulse Point Trick - When you need to cool down right this second, skip the face fan and target your pulse points. This is where your blood vessels sit closest to the skin, making it the fastest way to lower your core temperature. Run cool water over your wrists for 30 seconds .Rest a damp, chilled cloth on the back of your neck. Or for the ultimate treat, soak your feet in a basin of cool water. It instantly cools your entire body and works absolute wonders for tired, swollen pregnancy ankles.
4. Banish the Synthetics - Now is the time to banish any restrictive clothing or synthetic fabrics. Swap them out for breathable, natural fibres like 100% cotton, linen, or bamboo. Think flowy maxi dresses, oversized linen button-downs, and loose trousers. Not only will you feel a gentle breeze, but you’ll also look effortlessly elegant (perfect for capturing those beautiful, casual everyday bump moments!).
5. Survive the "Tropical Nights" - Probably the hardest part of this current UK heatwave is that it isn't cooling down enough at night, making pregnancy sleep incredibly elusive. The Ice Bottle Trick: Fill a hot water bottle with water and freeze it, then pop it into your bed by your feet an hour before you go to sleep. Keep it Low: If your bedroom is upstairs and feels like an oven, consider setting up a temporary sleep space downstairs for a night or two, as heat naturally rises.💕
A Gentle Reminder: Please listen closely to your body. If you ever feel dizzy, intensely nauseous, or your heart is racing, it’s your body’s way of asking you to stop. Head straight into the coolest room, put your feet up, sip some water, and don't hesitate to check in with your midwife or call NHS 111 if you feel off. You and that sweet baby are the absolute top priority! 💛
