When Do Pregnant Women Start Feeling Hot? Pregnancy Heat Sensitivity Causes and Body Temperature Changes Explained
When do pregnant women start feeling hot? After entering pregnancy, many expecting moms may notice that they sweat more easily and often feel thirsty or dry-mouthed. Pregnancy heat sensitivity is mainly affected by hormonal changes. Gennie’s has prepared one body temperature change chart to help you understand when pregnancy heat sensitivity starts and why it happens. We also share 5 tips to help expecting moms feel cooler and more comfortable throughout pregnancy. Let’s take a look.
Table of Contents
- When Do Pregnant Women Start Feeling Hot? Understand the Causes and Body Temperature Changes with One Chart▼
- 5 Tips to Relieve Pregnancy Heat Sensitivity and Help Expecting Moms Feel Cooler and More Comfortable▼
- Drink Plenty of Water and Replenish Electrolytes When Needed▼
- Wear Breathable Nursing Bras with Fine, Skin-Friendly Fibers▼
- Change Bedding Materials and Use a Fan to Improve Air-Conditioning Circulation▼
- Wear Looser Dresses at Home or When Going Out▼
- Eat Light and Avoid Foods That May Increase Body Heat▼
- Adjust Your Diet and Choose Breathable Outfits for a Fresher, More Comfortable Pregnancy▼
When Do Pregnant Women Start Feeling Hot? Understand the Causes and Body Temperature Changes with One Chart
Feeling hot during pregnancy is not entirely caused by body shape changes. Hormonal fluctuations can make expecting moms sweat more easily than others, even when staying in a comfortable environment. In general, 37°C is the temperature that allows the body’s organs to function normally. The body temperature change chart below will help expecting moms understand the root causes of pregnancy heat sensitivity and the normal range of body temperature increase.
1. After Conception: Increased Progesterone Causes Basal Body Temperature to Rise Slightly
Gennie’s has organized one table to help expecting moms understand body temperature changes during ovulation and pregnancy.
| Body Temperature Changes Around Ovulation | |||||
| Pregnancy Stage | Before Ovulation | Ovulation Period | After Ovulation | ||
| Basal Body Temperature | 36–36.4°C, depending on individual condition | 36.5–37.5°C, depending on individual condition | Not Pregnant | Higher temperature during the ovulation period lasts for 12–16 days, depending on individual condition | |
| Pregnant | Higher temperature during the ovulation period continues throughout pregnancy, depending on individual condition | ||||
| Period | Lower-temperature phase, depending on individual condition | Higher-temperature phase, also known as the luteal phase, depending on individual condition | |||
According to health education information from Changhua Christian Hospital, during ovulation, the pituitary gland rapidly secretes luteinizing hormone, also known as LH. This helps the follicle in the ovary mature, allowing the egg inside to be released. The remaining follicle then develops into the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone and thickens the uterine lining to support implantation. Once the egg and sperm combine and conception occurs successfully, body temperature stays above 36.4°C and enters the “high-temperature phase,” averaging about 0.3–0.6°C higher than the lower-temperature phase before ovulation. This continues throughout pregnancy. This is also why, when early signs of pregnancy appear, expecting moms may notice breast tenderness, loss of appetite, and a body type that becomes more prone to sweating and feeling warm.
Related reading: What to Do If You Cannot Eat During Early Pregnancy? 3 Tips to Build a Better Appetite.
2. From 3 Months of Pregnancy: Basal Body Temperature Rises
Basal Body Temperature, also known as BBT, refers to the lowest body temperature needed for the body’s organs to function normally when the body is at rest. Therefore, measuring during sleep is ideal. Otherwise, it should be measured immediately after waking up for more accurate results. Due to the influence of progesterone, starting from around 3 months of pregnancy, basal body temperature remains elevated. When do pregnant women start feeling hot? Since body temperature may rise by nearly 0.5–1°C compared with before pregnancy, this stage is usually when heat sensitivity becomes more noticeable. It is worth noting that if an expecting mom’s basal body temperature reaches 37.5°C or higher without walking or exercising, it may be a fever. If body temperature reaches 39°C or higher, it may affect the baby’s development. It is recommended to seek professional medical help as soon as possible to rule out pathological causes.
Related reading: Does Your Body Type Change During Pregnancy? 4 Major Pregnancy Body Changes Explained.
3. After 7 Months of Pregnancy: Pregnancy Hormones May Cause Heat Sensitivity and Dry Skin
In the middle to late stages of pregnancy, pregnancy hormones help maintain a higher basal body temperature. Once basal body temperature is higher, the body tries to release heat by dilating blood vessels near the skin surface, bringing more heat and blood to areas where heat can dissipate more easily. As a result, the skin surface becomes warmer and may look flushed. This shows that pregnancy heat sensitivity is a normal phenomenon and may even be the body’s safety mechanism for cooling down and preventing heatstroke. According to the Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, estrogen secreted during pregnancy may affect bile salt metabolism, making dry and itchy skin more common. On the other hand, frequent sweating without wiping the skin dry in time may also cause itching. Gennie’s recommends moisturizing the skin with skincare products to maintain softness and elasticity. Below are suitable maternity skincare recommendations based on different needs:
- COSVITAL Skin Moisturizing Elastic Cream: Locks in moisture and provides more complete hydration for skin that is prone to dryness and itchiness during pregnancy.
- Perfect Skin Firming Stretch Mark Cream: When collagen levels are insufficient, light red or white stretch marks may appear on the belly. This cream-textured skincare product contains centella asiatica extract to help care for fine lines and support smoother-looking skin.
- TROVE Maternity Moisturizing Cream: Made mainly with highly moisturizing plant oils, it is skin-friendly, easy to spread, less likely to cause irritation, and provides careful moisturizing care for the skin.
5 Tips to Relieve Pregnancy Heat Sensitivity and Help Expecting Moms Feel Cooler and More Comfortable
Through the body temperature chart above, we now understand when pregnant women start feeling hot. Because progesterone continues to be secreted, basal body temperature may be 0.5–1°C higher than before pregnancy. To release heat and cool down, the body may become more prone to sweating and feeling warm. Next, Gennie’s shares 5 practical cooling tips for expecting moms. Although pregnancy heat sensitivity is a natural phenomenon, adjustments in diet, clothing, bedding, and daily habits can help heat-prone skin “stay calm” and create a cooler home routine.
1. Drink Plenty of Water and Replenish Electrolytes When Needed
Water not only relieves thirst, but also helps the organs function normally, keeps the skin hydrated and radiant, supports smooth blood flow, and helps prevent the blood from becoming too concentrated and stagnant. It also helps the body release heat. On the other hand, once the body lacks water, it may retain more fluid, causing facial or lower-limb swelling. Therefore, after understanding when pregnant women start feeling hot, expecting moms may increase daily water intake as needed.
Recommended water intake during pregnancy = body weight × 30 + 300 cc per day.
For example, if Xiao Ni weighs 60 kg, it is recommended that she drink around 1,800–2,100 cc of water per day.
Things to Keep in Mind When Drinking Water
- Drinking coffee may increase basal metabolic rate by 3–11%, which can promote sweating and urination, causing water loss. For expecting moms with lower caffeine tolerance, it may even cause palpitations, so iced coffee is not recommended during pregnancy. Sugary drinks may also slow gastrointestinal movement, leading to constipation.
- Cold water is not recommended. When the body feels hot, drinking water that is much colder than body temperature may cause uterine contractions, interfere with uterine blood circulation, and negatively affect the organs. Therefore, warm water close to body temperature, around 37–39°C, is recommended.
- If expecting moms often feel thirsty, electrolytes can also be replenished moderately. Natural fruits and vegetables contain sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, which can help replenish nutrients lost through sweating and provide vitamins. The following table explains how to get electrolytes from food and the recommended daily intake.
How to Get Electrolytes from Your Diet
| Main Electrolyte Ions | ||||
| Ion Type | Sodium, Na+ | Potassium, K+ | Calcium, Ca2+ | Magnesium, Mg2+ |
| Benefits | Helps retain water and reduce exercise fatigue, weakness, and dehydration | Helps prevent cramps and irregular heartbeat before exercise, and supports faster recovery after exercise | Helps maintain teeth, bones, and muscle mass | Helps maintain normal muscle, heart, and nerve function |
| Representative Foods | Sports drinks and table salt | Bananas, grapefruit, and tomatoes | Dairy products, dark green vegetables, and dried small fish | Seaweed, wheat germ, nuts, bananas, dark green vegetables, and oysters |
| Recommended Daily Intake | Less than 2,400 mg, equivalent to 6 g of salt | 2,000 mg | 1,000 mg | 355 mg, not exceeding 700 mg |
The above information is organized from Agriculture Kids Network.
2. Wear Breathable Nursing Bras with Fine, Skin-Friendly Fibers
When do pregnant women start feeling hot? Almost as soon as early signs of conception appear, expecting moms may feel their body temperature rising slightly. Depending on body type and eating habits, breast size may increase by an average of 2–3 cups throughout pregnancy. Expecting moms can prepare 2–3 nursing bras during early pregnancy. Switching to nursing bras in time offers the following benefits:
- Provides more room for growing breasts without pressure, while supporting blood circulation.
- Colostrum may begin to appear in the middle to late stages of pregnancy, and breast pads can be placed inside the bra lining to absorb milk.
- Nursing bras are often designed with cooling-feeling and breathable materials to respond to pregnancy heat sensitivity.
Features of Coffee Yarn Nursing Bras
Coffee yarn nursing bras are made with coffee yarn masterbatch. Coffee yarn is loved for its odor-control performance mainly because the fibers have fine pores and a large surface area, offering breathability that is 3 times that of pure cotton. Coffee yarn has excellent breathability for the following reasons:
- Green coffee beans go through repeated roasting → increasing surface area.
- Hot water is added to expand the coffee beans → increasing surface area again.
- The material is combined with yarn fibers to create coffee yarn masterbatch → increasing surface area for the third time.
Feeling hot and sweating during pregnancy can have benefits. When body temperature rises to 37°C, the body increases blood flow to the blood vessels near the skin surface, bringing heat to the skin surface through the blood to help release heat and cool down. This is why, when you feel hot and sweat, your face and limbs may also appear flushed. At this time, wearing a coffee yarn nursing bra can help body heat pass more easily through the fabric thanks to the porous fiber structure of coffee yarn. Heat can then escape from the outer layer of the fabric instead of being trapped against the skin, helping improve the heat and sweating that may occur during pregnancy.
3. Change Bedding Materials and Use a Fan to Improve Air-Conditioning Circulation
The body has large-area contact with bedding for a long time every day, often more than 7 hours, so pregnancy heat sensitivity can also be improved starting from the home environment. For example, you can place a cooling mat on the mattress or use a cooling blanket. Bedding made with fibers such as linen or TENCEL™ can help lower perceived body temperature. For example, the coffee yarn moon pillow has a pillowcase and pillow core that can be cleaned separately. The pillow core uses selected medical-grade antibacterial non-toxic foam that has passed multiple SGS tests, offering elasticity and support for a more comfortable sleep experience during pregnancy. In summer, using a fan together with air conditioning is also recommended to improve cool air circulation and keep the room comfortable. Place the fan below the air conditioner outlet, set it to oscillation mode, and direct it along the airflow. This helps send cool air farther and improves indoor ventilation.
4. Wear Looser Dresses at Home or When Going Out
As mentioned above, in addition to wearing coffee yarn nursing bras and using their unique porous fibers to help release heat and moisture, expecting moms can also choose looser dresses. An air layer forms between loose dress fabric and the skin, helping improve breathability and ventilation. After finding out you are pregnant, you can also buy a few maternity dresses as a gift for yourself as a mom-to-be. For example, this two-piece-look nursing maternity dress features a striped gray and denim blue color combination for a fresh, youthful look. It also has a lift-up nursing opening. Simply lift the upper layer of the two-piece-look design to nurse your baby without taking off the entire dress, making breastfeeding easier and more convenient.
Related reading: Expecting moms who prefer pants should read these 5 tips for choosing maternity pants.
5. Eat Light and Avoid Foods That May Increase Body Heat
From the time early pregnancy signs appear, expecting moms may begin feeling hot. Although cooling-feeling nursing bras, bedding, dresses, and other items can help reduce perceived body temperature, diet also plays an important role. For example, chili peppers contain capsaicin, which may help metabolism but may also increase body temperature. Below are common foods that may increase body heat, organized into 4 categories, to help expecting moms temporarily avoid them and reduce the chance of worsening pregnancy sweating and heat discomfort.
Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
- Fruits: lychee and cantaloupe.
- Vegetables: chili peppers and chives.
- Meat and seafood: shrimp and clams.
- Foods: Taiwanese fried chicken.
Adjust Your Diet and Choose Breathable Outfits for a Fresh and Comfortable Pregnancy
Gennie’s Mom Classroom shares practical breast care knowledge for pregnancy and nursing.
Through the information above, we can understand when pregnant women start feeling hot. Soon after conception, due to the influence of progesterone, pregnancy heat sensitivity and a higher body temperature may occur naturally and continue until the end of pregnancy. Carrying the weight of a growing baby is a sweet burden, but daily life may also come with many needs that require thoughtful care from others to make pregnancy more comfortable. Gennie’s is happy to accompany moms-to-be through a beautiful pregnancy journey. We design many recommended nursing bras, mainly across 6 nursing bra series to meet the needs of different moms and body types. From pregnancy to postpartum, Gennie’s helps meet the wearing comfort expecting moms need. Do you often feel stuffy and sweaty after going out because of pregnancy heat sensitivity? You are welcome to visit Gennie’s and choose from the following types of bras for a more comfortable pregnancy.
| Gennie’s 6 Recommended Nursing Bra Series Part 1: By Material | ||||
| Style | Coffee Yarn | Modal | Milk Fiber | |
| Production Process | Coffee yarn masterbatch is used to create coffee yarn fabric | Fibers are extracted from beechwood pulp and belong to regenerated fibers | Defatted milk is processed and blended with viscose rayon fibers | |
| Material Features | Porous fibers provide upgraded breathability and odor control | Smoother and more breathable than pure cotton, fully caring for postpartum skin that is prone to oiliness or dryness | Contains skin-friendly moisturizing factors with a smoother and more delicate texture | |
| Gennie’s 6 Recommended Nursing Bra Series Part 2: By Type | ||||
| Style | Soft Wire | Wire-Free | Active Support | |
| Design Features | Reduces the foreign-body feeling of metal wires while maintaining lift and support | 3D structured coverage supports the breasts and provides stable under-bust support with a nearly weightless feel | Wider straps or even double straps meet active needs while allowing easy one-hand opening | |
| Suitable Scenarios | Suitable for commuting to work or staying at home. If you sweat easily while walking, you can choose a coffee yarn nursing bra | Home life or going out | Exercise or simple stretching | |
Reviewed by Dr. Lin Yu-Cheng
- Dr. Lin Yu-Cheng
- Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University
- Current physician in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine
The above content is for health education reference only. Individual conditions vary. The information above is shared for educational purposes and is not medical advice. If you experience discomfort, please seek diagnosis and treatment from a qualified medical professional.
