How to stay cool during pregnancy

As exciting as pregnancy can be, it can also be more than a little uncomfortable - and you may find yourself struggling to stay cool in warm weather. Here are some tried-and-tested ways to keep cool and comfy.

Choose natural fibres wherever possible

Wearing 100 per cent cotton clothing - including underwear - or other 'breathable' fibres, such as linen, that allow some airflow will prevent you from becoming sticky and clammy when the temperature rises.

If you're buying new clothes, go for a loose fit. Restrictive waistbands and closely fitted styles will make you feel claustrophobic and hot. If you can, buy some 100 per cent cotton bedding, too, and sleep under light layers that you can adjust during the night rather than a heavy duvet.

Keep cool at night

You can buy special pillows inserts that keep your pillows cool at night: a real bonus when you can't find relief from night heat. Search for 'cool pillows' on the internet to find the right product for you. Alternatively, keep a couple of spare pillows by your bed with a hot-water bottle filled with iced water sandwiched in between. This means you can rotate your pillows each time one becomes hot.

Keep a cooling water spray with you

You can buy special cans of coolant or just fill an empty misting bottle with tap water and keep it in the fridge. Lightly misting your face, neck and limbs will have an instant cooling effect and you can do it as often as you like.

It's a good idea to have several on the go: one for your handbag; one for your desk drawer; one to keep by your bedside. Just remember that unless you've bought a can of coolant, you'll need to keep returning them to the fridge for chilling.