Some women will experience night sweats at some point during pregnancy. The degree of sweating can vary from very mild and occasional sweating to more severe sweats. Night sweats are similar to hot flashes that are experienced later as menopause approaches.
The cause is the same as well, hormonal changes. Specifically changes in estrogen levels can interfere with the normal heating and cooling of the body. The heat and temperature of the body is regulated by the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus releases body heat when it is hot and keeps in heat when it is cold outside.
This explains why people sweat more in the summer or when the heat is turned up too high in the house. However, the changes in estrogen levels can confuse the signals in the hypothalamus and result in additional sweating. Women may find they are more sensitive to heat during the day as well, but the excess sweating is generally worse at night.
Unfortunately, this is one of the symptoms of pregnancy that women just need to live with. There is very little that can be done about the drop in estrogen level. During menopause, hormone replacement therapy is sometimes given in severe cases, but this is obviously not an option during pregnancy. Keeping the room cool, using cotton sheets, wearing light weight pajamas and keeping heavy blankets off the bed may or may not help, but can’t hurt.
There is no evidence of any danger to the pregnancy from night sweats. There is no proven link to any other complication of the pregnancy or problem with the baby. You can mention it to your doctor at the next visit, if desired, but there is probably not much that can be done.
Some experts believe diet and lack of exercise can make sweating worse. There is some anecdotal evidence to suggest this may be true, but there is no strong evidence. Whether it works to help with night sweats or not, eating a healthy diet and getting exercise are always good for expectant mothers.
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