If you’re one of our U.S. readers, chances are that you’re celebrating the 4th of July today. To that I say: have fun, kick your feet up, and enjoy the celebrations and yummy food! And while you’re at it, keep these few tips in mind as you may be spending a more-than-usual amount of time outdoors, in the heat.
1. Hydrate. When you’re pregnant, it’s more important than ever to stay hydrated. Dehydration can make you feel sick, cause you to faint, and lead to premature labor. If you can’t stomach drinking lots of water, find your hydration in other ways, including drinking juice and eating fruit.
2. Seek shelter from the sun. Pregnancy can make you more prone to sunburn. Whether you’re pregnant or not, sunscreen, shade or covering up is important to protect your skin. For a list of safer-for-you sunscreens, check out the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetic Database.
3. Eat safely. Outdoor celebrations are almost always accompanied with food — that’s the best part, right? Be aware of eating food that has been sitting out for too long. The longer something sits unchilled, the more likely it is to grow bacteria and cause food-borne illnesses, like salmonella, which can be very dangerous in pregnancy. The rule of thumb is to not eat food that has been sitting out for more than two hours, or one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees. For more information, see these helpful FDA outdoor food safety guidelines.
About Cara Terreri
Ask our resident obstetrical expert, Henci Goer, any question you have about conception, pregnancy, birth, and newborns. 
