Feeling cold during pregnancy can hit you at any time. It might start in the first trimester, the second trimester or right before you have the baby. Mine started in early pregnancy. When my friends in parenting class were having hot flashes, I was wearing a hoodie. Feeling cold during pregnancy lasted almost my entire pregnancy, but that’s because there were several different causes.
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Feeling Cold During Pregnancy Causes
When you get pregnant, your body goes through so many changes that it can be hard to keep track of them all. Your organs must be able to support two people instead of just one, making them work harder. Your nutrition, level of activity and hormones will all change. There are many more changes that happen to your body that can make you feel cold during pregnancy.
Sometimes, it’s not normal to feel cold during pregnancy, though. This could easily be a sign of underlying medical conditions. For example, a certain type of anemia means that there is less iron in the blood, which can make you feel cold. Other conditions, such as having the flu or low blood pressure might cause the same thing. Personally, I found out I was anemic during my third trimester. We also discovered that my daughter had low blood pressure. Both of these required treatments from the doctor.
Common Causes
The most common causes do not require treatment from your provider. Instead, you can make some changes at home to see if they help, or you can rest assured that nothing is seriously wrong. It is important to discuss feeling cold during pregnancy with your doctor to make sure that it doesn’t require treatment, though.
Feeling Cold During Pregnancy Due to Poor Circulation
During your third trimester, things can get pretty uncomfortable. Your belly gets bigger, your feet get swollen, and you might not feel like being active. Other problems, like morning sickness during your first trimester, can also give you a general feeling of unwellness. When you don’t feel good and are not moving around, blood does not circulate properly throughout your body like it does when you are active. This can make you feel colder than you normally would. To fix this, try moderate walking throughout the day to get your blood flowing again.
Hormones
Hormones are known for hot flashes, but they can easily make you feel cold too. This is because your body is already hot, so it feels more sensitive to cold air coming off a fan or a gentle breeze. In this situation, you don’t usually feel cold all the time. Instead, you are simply more sensitive to cold air.
Anemia
When you are anemic, sometimes referred to as iron deficiency anemia, it means that you do not have enough iron in your body. When I went through this, my entire body felt cold all the time. The rest of the house would be nice and toasty while I was cuddled up with a blanket on the couch. It seems like no matter how much you move around, etc. you still feel cold. Usually, a doctor will run labs to test your blood for anemia. If you are found to be anemic, you can take iron supplements or prenatal vitamins with additional iron in them and start feeling better within a week.
Common Illnesses
Illnesses that are relatively common, such as the cold or the flu, can have a larger impact on you while you re pregnant. This is because your immune system is not working as well as it does when you are not pregnant. If you could previously get over a cold in a day or two, it might take you a week while you are carrying your baby. It might also cause more severe symptoms, like a fever. This could make you feel cold while you are pregnant.
Upset Stomach
Everyone has different symptoms when they have an upset stomach. Personally, if I am throwing up, I get the chills and I get dizzy. This was also true when I had morning sickness with my first blessing. If you usually get the chills when you have an upset stomach, this could also be what is making you feel cold during early pregnancy.
Weight Loss
Weight loss can be really common when you’re pregnant. During the first trimester, it can be hard to hold down food. In the middle of your third trimester, the baby takes up more room, which leaves less room for your intestines. There are a lot of people that can only eat small meals during their third trimester because of this. Other people lose weight because they start to eat healthier, which is a great thing. All that extra fat you have helps keep you warm, though. Once you start to lose it, you will get cold easier. It can take some time to adjust.
Is Feeling Cold A Sign of Miscarriage?
Most people worry that feeling cold while pregnant is a sign of miscarriage. It is very rare that a person will have a miscarriage and the only symptom will be the chills. Often, a miscarriage accompanied by an infection will cause the chills and a fever. After a miscarriage, it is very common for a person to feel cold. You may also feel achy, tired, have cramps and have discharge. It can usually feel like you have the flu.
If you think that you are having or may have a miscarriage, go to the emergency room. If you are worried that your chills might have something to do with an impending miscarriage, go to the emergency room or call your doctor. It’s always better to be safe instead of sorry.
How to Handle Feeling Cold While Pregnant
You should always contact your health care provider before trying every home remedy in the book. If you are anemic or have another health condition, your doctor can identify that and prescribe the appropriate medicine. It’s always better to be safe instead of sorry. If you’ve already been to your doctor and do not have an underlying health condition, these cozy remedies can help you warm up.
A Fuzzy Blanket
Sometimes, when you’re cold, there isn’t a lot you can do, especially if it is because of your hormones. Get warmer by enjoying a relaxing afternoon with your favorite movie and a big, fuzzy blanket. This is the perfect way to spend the day. We recommend the Bed Sherpa Fleece Blanket. It’s super warm and fuzzy with its soft microfiber material.
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Exercise
If you have poor circulation or think that you might because you have not been as active, exercise is the perfect home remedy. You don’t have to hit up the gym or run a few miles like you did before you were pregnant if you feel sick. Instead, you can walk more around the house doing light housework, go for a walk around the block, or pick up a treadmill to watch your favorite shows while you walk in place. Walking is one of the easiest ways to exercise, and you can always hop off the treadmill and run to the bathroom if you start to feel sick.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is extremely important when you’re pregnant. Dehydration can cause pre-term labor, Braxton hicks and it can make your morning sickness a thousand times worse. This is because being dehydrated can make you feel nausea or cause vomiting. If you already feel sick, make sure that you’re drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
Water
Water is always one of the best choices. Sipping on water throughout the day requires no effort, is not expensive, and you can easily carry a bottle of water with you anywhere. If you do not like the taste of water, try squeezing some fresh lemon juice into your water for a citrus splash that will taste amazing.
Sports Drinks
Sports drinks, like Gatorade, are one of the best options next to water. If you’re already dehydrated, these can be better than water. They are packed full of electrolytes, something that your body desperately needs to stay in top shape.
Pedialyte Popsicles
If you can’t seem to hold down water or sports drinks, try some Pedialyte popsicles. These have everything that Pedialyte has in it. They are full of electrolytes just like sports drinks are, too. Although they are intended for children, they can help adults too. The flavors are great, so your stomach might not mind them so much.
Eat Fresh Fruit
If you’re not a fan of drinking water or sports drinks, eating fresh fruit is a wonderful option. It has plenty of water to help you stay hydrated. Watermelon is comprised of mostly water. Grapes and melons are both exceptional options too.
Dress Warmly
If hormones are making you feel chilly, there might be nothing you can do except for putting on an extra layer. This is a great idea if you have recently lost weight. Break out the fall wardrobe and wear a sweatshirt or jacket around the house until you start to feel better. Try to avoid buying new clothing for this period because it might pass sooner than you think.
There could be several reasons why you are feeling chilly during your first trimester, second trimester or third trimester. Some of them will require medical treatment, so it’s important to let your doctor know as soon as you are not feeling up to par. It’s always better to rule out health problems as soon as possible to make sure that you and your baby are okay.
If there are no underlying health conditions that are making you feel cold while pregnant, try to make yourself comfortable and remember that it will pass. Drink a hot beverage, like some hot chocolate, enjoy a warm blanket and watch a movie. You’ll be feeling better soon.
