So you’re pregnant and it’s summer. By now you’ve probably heard all of the horror stories about how your cousin’s wife’s hairdresser barely made it alive to her August due date and how your husband’s coworker’s wife is so miserable she’s as mean as a snake. It certainly doesn’t give much hope that you’ll actually enjoy your summer pregnancy, but I have good news:

it’s totally possible to enjoy your summer pregnancy!

I’ve been pregnant at some point during the summer with 3 out of 4 of my babies. From sucking down ginger ale during swim lessons to managing morning sickness on a beach vacation I’ve done it all.

These are my tried and true tips for surviving thriving during a summer pregnancy.

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summer pregnancy tips

First of all let’s just throw an old myth right out the window. Just because you’re pregnant and it’s hot out doesn’t mean you’re going to be a sweaty, cranky mess.

I actually found my summer pregnancies to be quite pleasant. Summer brings a kind of slowness to the world. People aren’t hustling as much, the days are long, everyone is in a good mood from all the Vitamin D. And it makes it easier to slow down and enjoy your pregnancy.

Plus all that Vitamin D from the sun will help you beat the pregnancy blues (I totally think that’s a thing) and the extra melatonin will help you sleep better. It’s a win-win!

stay hydrated

This might seem like a no-brainer but it’s harder than you think. Remember you’re drinking for two now. And especially if you aren’t eating a ton or you’re vomiting quite a bit you’ll want to take in extra liquids.

But not just any liquids (no, that milkshake doesn’t count), you need hydrating liquids. Here’s some quick tips for staying hydrated during your summer pregnancy:

• limit sugary drinks (think soda, lemonade, and your favorite extra venti Frappuccino)
• drink water….yup, plain old boring water, drink up mama!
• don’t love water? Try a flavored water, Vitamin Water (dragonfruit flavor) is my absolute fave
• add electrolyte drops to your water – get a little more bang for your buck
• eat fruit, lots and lots of fruit – the juice from the fruit can be really hydrating (this is true of veggies too, but who wants green beans when you can have watermelon?!)
• carry a water bottle around with you everywhere you go, that will help you to remember to drink water

Staying properly hydrated during your summer pregnancy will be key to thriving over the hottest months of the year.

invest in summer maternity clothes

I know, I know, those maternity shorts are kind of expensive and you might be wondering if you actually need them.

And I’m hear to tell you, you do.

You’re going to be far more comfortable during the heat if you’re wearing clothes that actually fit and are appropriate for the weather. I can think of few things that worse than trying to stuff your pregnant body into last summer’s shorts.

If you’re hoping to stick to a budget for your summer maternity wardrobe here are a few tips:

• shop deals & sales
• sign-up with your email to get a discount
• borrow from a friend
• buy clothes that can be layered….think a sun dress that you could easily layer with a sweater for the fall
• purchase breastfeeding friendly items…you might only wear these items for a few weeks this summer, but come next summer when you’re breastfeeding you’ll be glad you have them
• invest in staple items, especially if you plan to have more kids later
• go for classic, not trendy pieces

You don’t have to break the bank to build a decent summer maternity wardrobe. Plus it’s worth the effort and investment to have key pieces that fit. Come August, you’ll be glad you have comfy shorts and tank tops to fit your growing belly.

I’ve linked a couple of my trusty favorites below:

FInd ways to beat the heat during your summer pregnancy

I have memories from when I was a kid of my parents taking us to places like the mall or the movie theater just so we could be in the air conditioning for a couple of hours.

We didn’t have A/C at home and during the hottest weeks of the year it could get downright miserable in the house.

You’re going to want to do the same during pregnancy – find ways to beat the heat, i.e. get in the air conditioning.

If you’re lucky enough to have A/C at home, great! But if you don’t you’ll want to find different places you can hang out that have A/C or will help you beat the heat.

Remember earlier when I said you don’t have to be a sweaty, cranky mess? That’s true. You don’t. But staying cool will be key to that.

You might feel pretty hot as it is, so adding 90 degree days isn’t going to make you feel any better. Here are some ways to beat the heat:

• stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day
• buy a large fan or window cooler for home (if you don’t have central air)
• hang out in the basement (if you have one, basements tend to stay pretty cool in the summer, even if they are a tad bit creepy!)
• find places that do have A/C and visit them regularly (think Target, book stores, Starbucks, the library, museums, the houses of friends & family)
• eat cooling treats like popsicles and ice cream (but don’t overdo it on the sugar)
• go swimming….a good dip in cool water is the perfect way to beat the heat when you are pregnant in the summer

get plenty of rest

Pregnancy makes you tired. Summer heat makes you tired. Put the two together and it’s a recipe for one tired pregnant lady.

Be sure to get plenty of rest during your summer pregnancy. This could mean sleeping in, going to bed early, taking plenty of naps, or even just a lazy weekend.

Resist the urge to run all the errands and do all the things, especially in the peak of the heat. At some point you will have an intense urge to nest.

Suddenly you’ll find yourself desperate to pull weeds, clean out the garage, and run every errand you’ve been putting off for months.

But I encourage you to sloooooowwww down and rest. There will be plenty of time for all of those things later. Rest during your summer pregnancy is key.

Having trouble getting comfortable? You need a pregnancy pillow, I linked the one that I use and totally swear by! It got me through three of my four pregnancies (I didn’t have it with my first because I didn’t want to spend the money but I wish I would have.)

Enjoy the sunshine

Get out and take advantage of as much sun as you can. It’s a great mood-booster and can help you sleep better at night (hello melatonin production).

Just be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen and a hat!

Don’t spend your summer pregnancy dreading the heat, use these simple tips to keep you (and baby) happy and healthy all summer long!