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Week 34 : Why it doesn’t suck to be pregnant during summer

On a frosty morning in early December, I found out I was pregnant. With snow flurries starting to fall and Christmas music full blast on my car radio, the last thing on my mind was how I would be 7, 8 and 9 months pregnant in the dead of summer.
As this sweltering season neared, I was approached by fellow womb warriors who’d experienced this “monster.” The swollen horror stories and hot flashes that put the term “bun in the oven” to shame—I’m pretty sure I’ve heard them all. After really putting some thought into it, I figured, there isn’t anything I can change about the situation, so I might as well make the best of it! So, I’m here to shine some positive, warm, golden rays of sunshine on pregnancy and give you some reasons why you should enjoy and embrace your summer pregnancy!
1. Pool hair, don’t care
Ahh, just picture it. Lounging your perfect beach bump in your favorite chair, sunglasses, sun hat and a refreshing something that hopefully won’t give you heartburn … and next to you is a calm, blue oasis just calling your name. The pool is a great place to relax and relieve some of the stress on your baby-growin’ body. It provides to you unlimited lounging and floating options—what more could you ask for?
2. Good times and tan lines
While the summer sun can be quite troublesome while pregnant, why not take advantage of the low humidity and breezy days and get a healthy dose of vitamin D? Whether poolside, beachside or just in the middle of your backyard … for me, getting some sun on my pasty-ass self made a world of difference in my mood. There’s just something about sunshine that can turn a frown upside down … and probably give you heartburn. I’m no doctor or anything, but ladies always make sure you’re using the proper sunscreen and perhaps consult your OB, mid-wife, doula or general practitioner if you have any questions or concerns. If you don’t use the correct SPF when it comes to sunscreen, you may end up looking like a purple-people-eater like myself here. Sun-kissed—yes, please! Sunburn—no, thank you. Sunblock, sunblock and sunblock!

3. Easy on the wardrobe
Dresses, dresses and more dresses! One of my biggest worries was, what am I going to wear once my pregnant self doesn’t fit into my non-pregnant clothes? Maxi dresses, sundresses … dresses of any kind really are always “in” during summer and so awesome to have stockpiled in your closet. No waist lines digging into your baby bump to worry about, not having to unbutton or unzip your pants after downing enough food for six—it’s all easy, breezy and pant-less. Again, ladies. What more could you really ask for?
4. Maternity photos
Now, I’m not saying that fall, winter and spring photoshoots aren’t stunningly gorgeous, but you run the risk of cold, crappy weather. If you live in Pennsylvania like I do, you run the risk during these seasons to get frost bite and sunburn in the same day. For those of us brave enough to wear those sultry two-piece maternity outfits, or for those of us wanting to venture into nature and take a pictures in a babbling brook nestled in a forest … this is the season to do it! Beautiful days with warm evenings and amazing sunsets make for some pretty incredible natural light, which can make for even more incredible photos.
5. I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream
Laying by the pool, looking for cute summer dresses and especially maternity pictures can work up quite the appetite. To be honest, I can’t think of any better way to kick your hunger to the curb than heading straight to your local ice cream shop, frozen yogurt place or the closest establishment that sells Ben & Jerry’s. No shame going into a frozen yogurt store directly after your maternity pictures—maternity dress, fake lashes and all! After the walking and posing, girl you earned that fro-yo! During the summer months, you can almost guarantee that ice cream, frozen yogurt and popsicles will be fully stocked and available whenever you have the urge to indulge in your favorite dairy delicacy.
Poolside, tan lines, no pants and ice cream? Psh, summer doesn’t seem so bad. Fellow summertime mamas … you got this!

SOURCE:http://www.pnmag.com/blogs/week-34-why-it-doesnt-suck-to-be-pregnant-during-summer/