When it comes to deciding on the perfect time of year to have a baby, it’s important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all answer— the right time to have a baby is whenever you’re ready. Yet, it is important to keep in mind that every season carries its own unique set of advantages and challenges. Being pregnant in the winter, however, can indeed bring with it a multitude of benefits that are worth exploring.
Being Pregnant In The Winter
Being pregnant is a remarkable and transformative journey, and experiencing it during the winter season has its unique advantages. From cozy comforts to festive cheer, many have coined wintertime as the best time to be pregnant. Raleigh OB/GYN has put together a list of some of the best things about being pregnant in the winter.
1. Temperature
Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that when you’re pregnant in the winter, you don’t have to worry about carrying around an extra 25 to 35 pounds in the sweltering heat and humidity. And thanks to the extra insulation and blood pumping through your body, you’ll likely stay warm throughout the season without having to bundle up in excessive layers.
2. Clothes
Winter clothing can be cozy and snug, making it easier to dress comfortably with a growing baby bump. Layering with sweaters and scarves allows pregnant women to adjust their clothing to stay warm without feeling restricted. Not to mention, it is easier to hide your bump if you aren’t ready to announce your pregnancy.
3. Celebrate The Season
Being pregnant in the winter adds an extra reason to celebrate and be thankful during the holiday season. Not to mention the endless ideas for holiday-themed pregnancy announcements, gender reveals, and bump photos. This is also a great time to make your Christmas wishlist of baby must-haves to prepare for your little miracle.
4. Free Pass
It can be hard to find room to breathe on your calendar from Halloween through New Year’s. But, when you’re pregnant, you have the perfect reason to hit the pause button and relax without having to worry about the guilt trip. Preparing for the baby’s arrival involves nesting and getting the home ready. In winter, expectant parents can enjoy staying indoors, setting up the nursery, and creating a warm and inviting space for the baby.
5. Less Swelling
Because the winter months offer a break from the sweltering heat, many women experience a reduction in swelling in the extremities, such as hands and feet. Swelling is a common pregnancy symptom, especially in the later stages. However, in the presence of cooler temperatures, the blood vessels constrict in response to these lower temperatures.
Don’t let this list fool you. While all of these perks are great, there are also some notable downsides to being pregnant in the winter. Some of your otherwise favorite holiday foods may now make you nauseous, you have to be extra careful walking around when there’s snow or ice, and the heightened anxiety of being pregnant or giving birth during peak cold and flu season. The bottom line is that growing a human being inside your body will impact your daily life. There is no right time to get pregnant, only the right time for you.
At Raleigh OB/GYN Centre, we offer a full range of obstetrical care from preconception to delivery. We have offered state-of-the-art care for mothers, daughters, and now granddaughters since 1974 and have since grown to three locations to best serve our patients, including Raleigh, Wake Forest and Clayton, North Carolina. To learn more about being pregnant in the winter or to schedule an appointment with our team of dedicated providers, call 919-875-8225.
