Excessive Sweating and Night Sweats in Pregnancy

You know how people often say pregnant people are "glowing?" Well, that "glow" is likely due in part to sweating and night sweats in pregnancy. In fact, excessive perspiration and night sweats are very common symptoms of pregnancy due to hormonal fluctuations, increased blood volume, and other factors.

Read on to learn why feeling warm and sweaty when everyone else around you is comfortable is a routine part of the pregnancy experience.

Causes of Night Sweats in Pregnancy

Sweating is nature's way of helping regulate your temperature. When you start to feel warm, sweating cools you down and prevents you from overheating, which could be dangerous for you and your baby.

During pregnancy, your body temperature increases slightly. This is a natural byproduct of growing a baby. Hormonal changes, increased blood volume, and weight gain all contribute to this small uptick.

Changing hormones

Changing hormone levels during pregnancy are responsible for many pregnancy symptoms and discomforts, including a slight rise in body temperature and the resulting increase in perspiration. 

Hormonal shifts can trigger your brain's hypothalamus into thinking your body is even hotter than it really is, which can activate more sweating than is needed. This might be why you feel like it's 100 degrees when it's only 75.

Increased blood circulation

The cause of your night sweats could be due to more blood circulating in your body during pregnancy, which can make you feel warmer. In fact, by the beginning of the third trimester, your blood volume will increase anywhere from 40% to 60%.

Higher metabolism

Your higher metabolism could also be the cause of your night sweats. You burn more calories and generate more heat when you’re pregnant as your body is working harder. You're literally working for two — maintaining your own body and growing a new one.

Weight gain

It can take more effort to move around when you’re carrying extra weight, especially in the third trimester. This extra effort generates more heat. Plus, carrying a baby shifts your body's center of gravity, which can also make your body work harder to keep its balance—and feel hotter.

Weather

You can expect to sweat even more when you spend time outdoors in hot, humid weather, as it will take more effort to cool off your pregnant body.

Physical activity

When you’re pregnant, you may perspire more than usual when you exercise, clean the house, go on a walk, or participate in any other activity that strains your body.

Anxiety

Sweating is a natural response to stress and nervousness. As a result, you may experience excessive sweating when you're pregnant if you have anxiety or mood swings.

Illness

A fever from a cold, flu, or other illness can also increase body temperature, which can cause more sweating. 

Hyperthyroidism

There is a normal increase in thyroid activity during pregnancy (in response to hormonal shifts) that can cause higher body temperatures and amounts of perspiration. However, hyperthyroidism is beyond what is considered normal.

An overactive thyroid may speed up your heart rate and body systems, causing excessive sweating (beyond the expected increase) and other symptoms. Consult with a health care provider if you're experiencing too much perspiration for comfort.

Medication

Sweating is a side effect of some medications. This includes certain medicines that treat nausea, which some people take to offset morning sickness. 

Food and drink

Spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeine can all trigger sweating, so keeping nutrition dos and don'ts in mind can help keep sweating in check. (You should avoid alcohol and limit caffeine during pregnancy anyway.)

When Do Night Sweats Start in Pregnancy

Increased sweating is normal throughout pregnancy and during the postpartum period. However, the first and third trimesters are when sweating and night sweats during pregnancy are the most common and severe.

Early pregnancy

Many people start feeling sweaty very early in their pregnancies. The changing hormones and increase in blood flow slightly raise the body temperature soon after you become pregnant and this small increase is enough to make you feel hot—and sweat a lot more than you're used to. Sometimes, it's one of the first signs of pregnancy that a person notices. 

Later pregnancy

Some people get relief from sweating during the second trimester. However, don’t be surprised if it returns in the last few months as you get closer to delivery, particularly if you happen to be waiting out your third trimester during the heat of summer. Additionally, research has found that around 35% of people report hot flashes during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Postpartum

Postpartum sweating is also very normal. It is one of the ways your body gets rid of the extra fluid it was carrying while you were pregnant. Additionally, night sweats (nocturnal hyperhidrosis) due to postpartum hormonal shifts can occur while your body gets back in balance after delivery.

After your baby is born, you may continue to sweat for a few weeks as your hormones adjust and your body returns to its pre-pregnancy state. 

How to Stop Night Sweats in Pregnancy

There isn't much you can do about your pregnancy hormones and your body's response, and you may never be able to stop night sweats in pregnancy entirely. However, there are effective strategies you can try to find relief.

• Drink plenty of water or other healthy fluids to stay hydrated and replace what moisture you're losing as you sweat.
• Dress in light, breathable clothing made with natural fabrics, such as cotton, and avoid warm materials, such as wool.
• Wear layers that you can remove when you begin to feel warm.
• Take a daily bath or shower with lukewarm water to cool off and feel fresh.
• Wear an antiperspirant. 
• Turn on an air conditioner or fan. 
• Stay away from foods and drinks that are known to increase body warmth and sweating.
• Carry a handheld fan with you when you go out.
• Carry baby wipes in your bag for a quick cool-down when you're feeling sweaty. 
• Splash cool water on your face or hold a damp, cool cloth on your forehead.

In addition, aim to stay within the recommended guidelines for weight gain (11-40 pounds, depending on your BMI). Extra pounds can make you feel warmer.

When the weather is hot

You may need extra cooling techniques when you're facing hot and humid weather during pregnancy.

• Try to stay out of the direct sun, especially during the hottest part of the day; when possible, seek out shade.
• Wear sunscreen when you go outside.
• Plan your outings in the morning or evening, when temperatures are cooler.
• Exercise indoors in an air-conditioned space, or during the cooler parts of the day if you're outdoors.
• Spend the day in places with air conditioning, such as at the mall or a movie theater.
• Go for a swim.

At night

Sleeping while pregnant, particularly in the third trimester, is a challenge during pregnancy, especially for those who experience night sweats. Night sweats are more than just feeling hot and sweaty at night. They can be drenching sweats that can soak through pajamas and sheets.

Night sweats in pregnancy are not only uncomfortable, but tend to interfere with your sleep, causing tossing and turning, waking you in the night, and requiring clothing and bedding changes. To help you get through night sweats during pregnancy and the postpartum period:

• Wear light, loose-fitting pajamas.
• Use lightweight bedsheets.
• Change to a lighter or thinner comforter, blanket, or duvet. You can also layer your sheets and blankets so you can use only what you need during the night. 
• Turn up the air conditioner to make the room cooler.
• Turn on the ceiling fan if you have one, or acquire a floor fan for your bedroom. 
• If possible, open a window to allow fresh, cool air into your room.
• Sleep on a towel or multiple towels to absorb sweat and protect your sheets. It’s easier to wash the towels than to change and wash the sheets every day—or during the middle of the night.  
• Drink plenty of healthy fluids during the day to replace what you’re losing through sweating at night.

When to Call a Health Care Provider

You should seek medical attention if you experience the following:

• You are itchy all over, especially if you do not have a rash.
• Your temperature exceeds 100.2 F. 
• You have symptoms of dehydration or illness.
• You feel dizzy or faint.
• You are very uncomfortable.
• Sweating does not get better by six weeks after your baby is born.
• You have any serious questions or concerns.

Even though sweating and night sweats during pregnancy are common, it's a good idea to discuss all symptoms with a health care provider during prenatal appointments. They can confirm whether symptoms are pregnancy-related or something else.

The health care provider can also answer any questions you have, advise you on ways to find relief, and follow up with you to monitor that your body (and perspiration rate) returns to its pre-pregnancy state after you've had your baby.