What It Means If You’re Cold While Pregnant
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Have you been constantly feeling cold after you became pregnant? Do you have to snuggle up in a blanket to make yourself warm? And just to be clear, no, we are not talking about the common cold or what the thermometer indicates, but the way you feel. If the answer is yes, don’t go into a frenzy yet. Feeling cold when pregnant can be a totally harmless thing, but there can be several other reasons as to why you get the chills. But just to be extra cautious as you have a life growing inside you, here are some reasons that you should know why you might be feeling cold during pregnancy.
1. Anemia
Pregnancy puts you at higher risk of getting anemia. It simply means that the RBC count in your blood is less. Our body needs oxygen to function adequately, and if the iron content or certain other nutrients in our body is low, the red blood cells won’t be able to make enough hemoglobin to carry the oxygen to tissues. You can develop three types of anemia during pregnancy: iron deficiency anemia, folate deficiency anemia, and vitamin B12 anemia. Being pregnant, your body demands more oxygen to supply to the fetus. Mild anemia is common among pregnant women, but if severe and left untreated, it can lead to birth defects, low birth weight, and preterm labor (1).
2. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is common among pregnant women because of the fact that their body requires more thyroxine. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, is much less as women with hyperthyroidism have a much less chance of conception. Maternal hypothyroidism can be treated easily, but if left undetected, it can adversely affect both mother and baby. It is associated with a higher risk of fetal distress, impaired neuropsychological development, and low birth weight (2).
3. Morning Sickness
We have all heard of how the morning sickness is prevalent in pregnant women. It affects almost 80-90% of women during pregnancy. With constant vomiting and nausea, your body might not be getting enough nutrients. Your body needs enough food to keep warm, and low nutrient intake can lead to feeling cold during pregnancy. Most women will have morning sickness only during the first trimester of their pregnancy. If you have a severe case of morning sickness, seek help from your doctor or midwife (3).
4. Infection
Having an infection could also be one of the reasons why you are feeling cold. It could be a chest, kidney, or a urinary tract infection. UTI is common in pregnant women and it could pose a great risk to the mother and child (4). So, it’s better to get it checked especially if you are pregnant and seek the right treatment.
5. Hormonal Overdrive
When you are pregnant, there is a sudden increase in the production of estrogen and progesterone. These overdrive of hormones can make your body temperature rise. In order to adjust with these changes, your body may cool down more than necessary making you feel cold.
There are reasons which don’t need any medical attention if you are feeling cold when pregnant. But in some instances, it could be because of any of the above-mentioned reasons that are giving you the chills. You don’t want to have any complications during pregnancy or cause any risk for you or your baby. So if you are constantly cold during pregnancy, it’s best to consult your OB-GYN to get treatment rather than taking matters into your own hands. Getting a blood test can rule out several diseases, and you can have a safe pregnancy free of any concerns.
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