I’ve had the opportunity to experience both a third trimester in the heat of summer and a third trimester in the dead of winter. There are definitely pros and cons to having a huge bump in both seasons, but since the end of pregnancy is not very pleasant in general, spoiler alert: I found there was no true winner. It’s worth noting that I live in place where weather is often extreme. We love our seasons here in Minnesota but the summers are incredibly hot and humid and the winters are freezing cold, very snowy, and seem to drag on forever. You might feel differently if you are pregnant in another part of the country or world where the climate is more moderate.
Late Pregnancy in Summer
Camping at 35 weeks pregnant, walking to the bathroom outside in the dark 5 times per night was just as miserable as you’d expect!
Pros:
– Swimming feels amazing when you’re carrying extra weight and thankfully there are lots of pool parties and opportunities to be near water in the summer.
– You can easily throw on a skirt or sundress and feel somewhat attractive and/or dressed up. I loved being able to wear flow-y and loose clothing while I was pregnant in the summer.
– You can wear flip-flops everywhere and no bats an eye. They are easy to get on and require zero bending. Flip-flops in the winter on the hand, make you look a bit crazy.
– The days are long and sunny with lots of vitamin D which can really help with anxiety. I really enjoyed being able to get fresh air and take our dog on walks during the end of my pregnancy with Crumb.
Cons:
– You swell a lot more in the summer because of the humidity and then when you add in pregnancy, it gets even worse. My hands, ankles, and feet were crazy swollen from May until I gave birth at the end of July. Luckily, I was not at risk for pre-eclampsia but it was painful and frustrating because my rings and shoes didn’t fit and I couldn’t walk for long periods of time.
– Shaving — it has to happen more often in the summer and shaving while pregnant is not only exhausting but it’s also uncomfortable and extremely difficult. Plus, your balance is off so it can also be very dangerous teetering on one leg in a soapy wet shower.
– Everyone loves being outside and they invite you to go outside too. People plan parties in their backyards and set off fireworks outside, and restaurants invite you to eat outside on their patios and in their beer gardens, but you’re super happy being inside with your lemonade because that’s where the air conditioning is located. And since growing a baby is like having your own personal space heater, your body temperature already feels extra warm.
Late Pregnancy in Winter
Buying a van at 37 weeks pregnant in February is just as stressful as you’d imagine!
Pros:
– Your wedding rings fit your fingers longer, and your ankles don’t get as swollen. At least in my case I was a lot less swollen at the end of my winter pregnancy with Chip!
– No need to shave quite as often because your legs are covered.
– The baby keeps you slightly warmer so you’re not quite as miserable as you would normally be in the cold weather.
Cons:
– Illness. It’s everywhere and impossible to avoid, and getting sick while pregnant is the worst. Plus, it’s ideal that your family and friends are healthy so they can meet your little one right away.
– You have to wear more clothing and layers. Maternity sweaters can be bulky and wearing jeans gets annoying. Plus, dressing up in cold weather is more challenging. I could have lived in yoga pants all winter long.
– You have to wear socks, pull on boots, or tie your shoes and bending over is plain obnoxious by the end of pregnancy.
– There is always the possibility of a blizzard, heavy snowfall, or a winter advisory warning that will make your ride to the hospital longer and more stressful.
. . . . .
How was the weather at the end of your pregnancy?
guest
I’ve experienced both too and I would take the summer over winter any time! I live in Western NY so it’s essential to bundle up in the winter and this was just miserable. Also, winter maternity clothes are so much more expensive than sundresses, and I agree putting boots on was the worst! I loved being able to wear sundresses and flip flops all the way through to the end of my first pregnancy. And also, I love summer birthdays, but having a newborn in the summer was hard without air conditioning!
cantaloupe / 6086 posts
I have two January babies and other than proximity to Christmas I loved being most pregnant in fall/winter. One was in Boston the other in Texas so two very different winters. I love to bundle up and I hate being hot. I swelled a ton even in winter so I dread to think if I am ever seriously pregnant in summer in Texas.
pomelo / 5084 posts
He is pretty darn cute!
I got lucky – pregnant end of Feb to end of Nov and the weather was pretty Midwest-temperate the whole time. Didnt even bring a jacket to the hospital when DS was born!
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
I somewhat have to laugh that in your “summer pregnancy” photo you are wearing a sweatshirt! All 3 of my Florida summer pregnancies basically amounted to me wearing as little as possible toward the end!
blogger / apricot / 482 posts
I had a baby due in August and one due in February. I by far preferred the August due date because it was more obvious I was pregnant, so people were more willing to offer me a seat on the metro, I felt my clothing was more flattering and, the biggest one: with my summer baby, I didn’t have to worry about how I was going to get to the hospital when I started going into labor during a massive snowstorm! I told Mr. Dolphin that if we have a third, there’s a very small window that I’m willing to get pregnant in for this very reason!
guest
Interesting! I had 2 fall birthdays, so didn’t experience too much of either. I did think dressing using summer dresses and jackets in the fall was pretty nice. I can’t imagine being super big at the end of a pregnancy in the winter. I already feel like a marshmallow with my big winter jacket on, which I wear for most of the winter in the midwest!
guest
I had both as well (baby born in early April and baby born in mid August). While I had no swelling in either pregnancy, the heat drove me nuts with my august baby. I was overdue and walked a ton to get things moving and it was hell. Also, with a summer pregnancy you can’t travel at all during a season typical for vacations. Loved the flowy clothes and swimming but that’s about it
blogger / persimmon / 1225 posts
@Becky, no AC with a newborn sounds very rough! And good point, winter maternity clothes are more expensive for sure!
@bhbee: Being hot is the worst! Glad you enjoyed your winter pregnancies!
@wrkbrk: Thanks! That’s awesome, there is definitely less to pack for the hospital when it’s slightly warmer out.
blogger / persimmon / 1225 posts
@T.H.O.U.: Oh I laughed when I noticed that too, haha! Depending on where you are in June in MN, it gets slightly cooler in the mornings and late at night. I had a picture of myself in a sun dress but it was SO unflattering I couldn’t post it.
@Mrs. Dolphin: Yea, that is so scary, the possibility of being stranded during a snow storm and being in labor! You’ve already had a close call so I don’t blame you wanting to miss the winter season altogether next time!
blogger / persimmon / 1225 posts
@Amanda: Nice, that seems like a good time to be pregnant! I just wore a majorly over-sized winter coat at the end and then I tightened the waist so I can wear it again this year.
@Sarah: Good points! Being overdue and super swollen in the August heat would drive me crazy too!