Some women may be anticipating hot flashes during pregnancy, and rightfully so. There are many changes that happen in a woman’s body when she is pregnant. Of course, many of these changes are necessary in order to grow and develop a baby. However, hot flashes during pregnancy may be a common side effect that occurs from the significant changes that happen in a pregnant woman’s body. When do hot flashes start? When do hot flashes end? These are common questions women are asking when it comes to experiencing the sudden and uncomfortable hot flashes that may come their way during pregnancy. Learning what causes hot flashes, when one gets hot flashes, and how you can treat hot flashes during pregnancy may serve beneficial to anyone experiencing hot flashes during pregnancy.
What Causes Hot Flashes in Pregnancy?
Women want to know why hot flashes occur during pregnancy. Although there are many factors that can contribute to hot flashes during pregnancy, there are a few common ones worth mentioning. A big reason why women experience hot flashes is the drastic change in estrogen and progesterone hormone levels during pregnancy. These hormone levels increase during pregnancy and then suddenly drop after delivering the baby. The sudden change of hormone levels can trigger hot flashes in the body just like women who experience hot flashes in the body during menopause. Women in menopause experience dropping levels of hormones, which can contribute to occasional hot flashes. This is why some women will also experience hot flashes after delivering the baby because hormone levels drop significantly after birth.
Many women talk about the change of body temperature when pregnant. There are many factors that contribute to the changing of body temperature. Increased metabolism may lead to hot flashes since the body temperature increases as calories are burned. The fetus releases heat as it grows and makes the uterus swell to a size bigger than a newborn baby. The released heat from the fetus can heat the body and may contribute to hot flashes during pregnancy.
While pregnant, women also experience an increase in blood volume, red blood cell production, and heart rate. Although these changes are vital for delivering oxygen and nutrition to the fetus, they can contribute to the increase in body temperature during pregnancy. As more blood flows to the skin, pregnant women may experience that ‘glow’ but also hot flashes.
Weight gain is normal in pregnancy and some weight gain is considered healthy for women who are at a normal weight at the start of their pregnancy. An increase in body mass index may lead to hot flashes, especially as the baby, placenta, uterus, and the mom are all growing at the same time.
When Will I Get Hot Flashes in Pregnancy?
It’s important to note that not all women experience hot flashes during pregnancy. Women that do experience hot flashes during pregnancy may experience them at different times. Some women said that they experience most of their hot flashes around 30 weeks, but experience hot flashes throughout the growth of the fetus in pregnancy. There are also women who say that they experienced hot flashes after pregnancy as their hormone levels suddenly dropped. When hormone levels drop, it triggers the breast to swell and produce breast milk for the newborn baby. The production of breast milk increases the metabolism and can contribute to heat changes again in the body. This then may lead to hot flashes for women after pregnancy. As the body changes throughout the entirety of pregnancy, women may experience hot flashes for the duration of their pregnancy and after their pregnancy.
How Do I Treat Hot Flashes During Pregnancy?
Women might wonder what they can do to treat hot flashes during pregnancy. Any treatment that changes the levels of hormones in the body is not recommended during pregnancy. The change that happens in a woman’s body while pregnant may be necessary for the growth and development of the fetus. Therefore, it may not be safe to give hormones during pregnancy or after pregnancy in order to decrease hot flashes. There may be some things that trigger hot flashes such as:
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Hot drinks
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Spicy food
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Caffeine
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Warm temperatures
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Anxiety and stress
Although these things cannot eliminate hot flashes altogether, they may help control some of the triggers for hot flashes during pregnancy.
Hot Flashes and Pregnancy
It is common for women to experience hot flashes during pregnancy. Learning what can cause hot flashes can help women understand more about their bodies while pregnant and even after being pregnant. Also understanding that it is not recommended to take hormones while pregnant unless told by a doctor is important for the growth and development of the baby. Discovering ways to help control triggers for hot flashes may be beneficial for someone who is pregnant and is experiencing many hot flashes during and after pregnancy. However, understanding that a woman’s body goes through drastic changes while growing a baby is crucial for understanding things such as hot flashes that occur during pregnancy.
