There’s a good reason why people flock to Colorado during the winter — we deliver up the winter goods. If you’re pregnant during this time, there are a few things you need to consider to ensure that you and your unborn child weather the winter safely.
Here at Associates in Obstetrics & Gynecology, Dr. Jack Tubbs and our experienced team want to ensure that your pregnancy goes as smoothly as possible, no matter the season. That said, winter does present some unique challenges for pregnancy, and we address a few of those here.
Let’s kick off this discussion with the giant viral elephant in the room — COVID-19. As we wait and watch to see how this pandemic will combine with the flu this winter, it’s more important than ever that you protect yourself as best you can. While we’re still waiting for a COVID-19 vaccine, the flu vaccine is readily available, and we urge you to avail yourself of this protection.
Apart from the flu vaccine, we strongly recommend that you follow the CDC guidelines for protection against viral infections, which includes:
These steps are the same for everyone, but they’re extremely important if you’re pregnant.
A pregnancy can greatly affect your balance at the best of times as your body accommodates a growing life. Whether you’ve added 5 pounds or 35 pounds to your abdomen, the odds are good that you’re not nearly as steady on your feet.
Now compound this new imbalance with icy and snowy pathways, and you can see why finding the right winter shoes is paramount. Be sure to get a pair with superior traction so that you can avoid falling and navigate the wintry world with confidence.
Winters in Colorado are dry, which means you need to hydrate more than you might think. While hydration may not be top-of-mind like it is in summer, we urge you to drink a few more glasses of water a day than usual when you’re pregnant.
Whether you’re in your first trimester or your third, staying active is good for both you and your baby. As winter forces many of us indoors, swap out your outdoor walk or hike with a new indoor activity, such as yoga or a spin class.
Thanks to the current pandemic, there are more remote options than ever for exercising at home, and you can start with your local gym or yoga studio to find out whether they offer live video classes. You might even find a special exercise group for pregnant women.
No matter the season, keeping up with your prenatal care is terribly important for pregnancy. It’s during these visits that we track your pregnancy to make sure that important milestones are met and that everything is going smoothly.
If you have more questions about your winter pregnancy, please don’t hesitate to contact our office in Colorado Springs.
