Sweating during pregnancy is not a symptom of an illness, but a natural side effect of pregnancy. Hormonal changes as well as the growing physical stress are responsible for these hot flashes. Light clothing and plenty of fluids can make sweating in pregnancy more bearable.
What is sweating during pregnancy?
Sweating in pregnancy manifests itself in hot flashes and sweating. The change in hormone levels increases the supply of blood to the skin. Sweating in pregnancy manifests itself in hot flashes and sweating. The changed hormone level increases the supply of blood to the skin. The result is an increased sensation of heat as well as reddish to reddish-spotted skin. The head, neck and chest are often affected. Hot feet may also occur. Sweating during pregnancy occurs in the second and third trimesters and usually lasts for several minutes. Hot flashes also occur in nursing mothers after childbirth. Hot flashes can occur several times per hour. The growing weight of the unborn child often contributes to increased sweating during pregnancy in the third trimester. Women who are heavily pregnant during the summer months are more likely to be affected. Approximately 15 percent of all pregnant women are affected by sweating during pregnancy. It is a concomitant condition that is harmless to both the expectant mother and the unborn child.
Causes
Hormonal changes represent one cause of sweating during pregnancy. They lead to the fact that the entire organism is better supplied with blood. An increased amount of blood also flows through the skin, which manifests itself in redness and increased sensation of warmth. The blood vessels of the skin dilate, allowing more heat to reach the outside. The more advanced the pregnancy, the higher the metabolism. The body needs more energy to supply the unborn child as well as the expectant mother. The increased conversion of food into energy generates additional heat. Especially in the third trimester of pregnancy, a woman has to expend more energy to perform movements. The reason is the growing weight of the unborn child. Sweating during pregnancy is thus not only due to hormonal and metabolic changes, but also to the growing physical strain.
Diseases with this symptom
- Hormone fluctuations
Diagnosis and course
Most often, sweating during pregnancy occurs from the second trimester and increases in the third trimester until birth. In isolated cases, hot flashes begin as early as the first trimester because of the severe hormonal changes. Sometimes the sweats continue after the birth. This is the case if the mother is breastfeeding her child and the hormonal balance is still subject to strong fluctuations as a result. Sweating during pregnancy is not a symptom of an illness, but a natural concomitant of pregnancy. The accompanying midwife or gynecologist will explain this if necessary. Since it is not a symptom of a disease, the gynecologist or midwife does not specifically treat the sweating. However, they can provide the affected person with tips and advice to make sweating more tolerable during pregnancy.
Complications
Sweating during pregnancy is basically normal to begin with due to hormonal changes and increased blood flow throughout the body. However, increased sweating during pregnancy can also be a symptom of various diseases in which complications can arise. In pregnant women, the thyroid gland enlarges due to hormonal changes. Therefore, thyroid disorders may occur, which are also manifested by increased sweating. This is usually hyperthyroidism, the symptoms of which include increased sweating in addition to restlessness and palpitations. Complications of hormonally induced hyperthyroidism can include premature labor. If the hyperthyroidism is an autoimmune disease (so-called Graves’ disease), this can lead to life-threatening conditions for mother and child.The body is heavily flooded with thyroid hormones in this condition that, in addition to the risk of premature labor, life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias can occur in both mother and child. Sweating during pregnancy can also be triggered by increased blood pressure in the mother. This can be an indication of gestosis (popularly known as pregnancy poisoning). In extreme cases, this condition results in epileptic seizures and organ failure in the pregnant woman and is still one of the leading causes of death in pregnancy.
When should you see a doctor?
During pregnancy, hormonal changes and physical exertion can cause heavy sweating. A visit to the doctor is recommended if the symptoms are associated with physical discomfort or with unusual accompanying symptoms such as fever or chills. Basically, sweating should be clarified if it occurs more frequently in the course of pregnancy or if the sweating outbreaks increase in intensity. If the sweating is accompanied by palpitations or other symptoms, a hospital should be visited for further clarification of the causes. Cold sweats and other fever symptoms may indicate an ectopic pregnancy and should be discussed with the gynecologist promptly. Apart from this, a consultation with the gynecologist is recommended to discuss the causes and treatment options for increased sweating during pregnancy. In case of severe abdominal pain and bleeding, miscarriage or premature birth is suspected. Profuse bleeding indicates a placental abruption. In both cases, emergency medical services must be called immediately to avoid serious complications.
Treatment and therapy
There is no specific treatment for sweating during pregnancy. However, a number of pieces of advice can provide relief for this natural side effect of pregnancy. The midwife or gynecologist advises women who sweat heavily to compensate for fluid loss by taking teas, diluted, unsweetened fruit juices and especially mineral water. Heavy sweating can lead to an undersupply of minerals. If necessary, appropriate dietary supplements ensure that a pregnant woman is adequately supplied with sodium, potassium and magnesium. Wearing several pieces of clothing on top of each other is recommended, so that one or more can be taken off when a hot flash occurs. Particularly breathable materials such as cotton, linen or untreated wool with their temperature-regulating properties are suitable. A cool sleeping climate makes night sweats more bearable. A pocket fan or a spray bottle filled with water helps on hot days. A cool foot bath or treading water relaxes hot feet and strengthens the organism. The pregnant woman is advised to run cool or lukewarm water over her wrists when she has a hot flash. Possibly, the pregnant woman can also resort to cooling ointments or gels.
Outlook and prognosis
Increased sweating during pregnancy is normal. However, many women do not feel comfortable with it and wish it would stop quickly. However, in most cases they will have to live with it until the end of pregnancy and for a short time beyond, because sweating has hormonal causes. It occurs particularly often in conjunction with hot flashes, which women will encounter again during menopause. Since sweating during pregnancy is therefore hormonal, it can also only stop again after the child has been born and the body has adjusted to the non-pregnant state again. While some women need only a few days after birth for this to occur, others continue to feel changes from the past pregnancy for weeks and sometimes even months after birth. Although cases of sweating during pregnancy usually last the whole pregnancy, there are some women who have the problem only in phases. After that it improves again, even before the child is born. Unfortunately, the pregnant woman cannot influence this herself. However, it often helps to wear loose-fitting clothes, not to sleep too warmly dressed at night and to drink enough water so that the sweating can be compensated.
Prevention
Since sweating during pregnancy is a natural process, it cannot be prevented when pregnancy is present. However, accompanying symptoms of sweating, such as odor, a woman can prevent. One remedy is a natural and reliable deodorant. Frequent washing and freshening also prevent the formation of odors. In order not to increase sweating additionally, pregnant women can avoid spicy foods as well as caffeinated drinks. Pregnant women should continue not to expose themselves to direct sunlight too often and for too long.
Here’s what you can do yourself
Increased sweating during pregnancy is a side effect of the major hormonal changes and weight gain that the female body undergoes. It is very uncomfortable for those affected. However, there are ways to alleviate the discomfort. Against the hot flashes themselves, nothing can be done. However, fluid balance must be achieved by drinking large quantities of water, tea or fruit juices. The latter only from time to time, if possible unsweetened, since a too high sugar content increases the risk of gestational diabetes. Increased sweating also takes minerals out of the body. Therefore, upcoming blood tests – during pregnancy – should also pay attention to these micronutrients. To increase your own sense of well-being, it is recommended to wear comfortable and loose clothing. This allows the air to circulate better. If you wear several thin pieces of clothing on top of each other, it is easier to vary depending on the temperature. The same applies to comfortable and safe footwear. Of course, pregnant women can also take a shower several times a day. However, care should be taken to use soap and other cosmetics sparingly, as these could dry out the skin and irritate the sweat glands. The consumption of hot and spicy foods and caffeinated beverages should be reduced. Their consumption stimulates metabolism and sweat production.
