Sweating in Pregnancy: The Cause and What Can Help

Being Pregnant & Sweating

Finally pregnant… and the excitement for the little one is huge! But even during pregnancy, the mum-to-be gets a little taste of what's to come. It's not just raising a child that can make you break a sweat now and then. Nope! Pregnancy itself can bring on hot flushes and bouts of sweating.

But don't you worry your head about it. These are perfectly normal and harmless things that happen because of the massive hormonal shifts going on in the expectant mum's body.

If you're finding the sweating or hot flushes during your pregnancy really bothersome, then it's definitely worth a chat with your midwife or doctor.

But let's take things one step at a time…

What it Means: Sweating in Pregnancy

We talk about sweating in pregnancy when the mum-to-be feels like she's sweating more than she did before she was pregnant. This increased sweating can happen in the usual places, like under your arms. But you might also find yourself sweating in places you never used to much before (like beads of sweat on your face or forehead, clammy hands, or sweaty feet) – it can all kick off!

The Reasons Why: Sweating in Pregnancy

The reason you sweat more during pregnancy is down to a much stronger blood flow to your skin. The "order" for this increased blood flow comes from hormones that your body produces during pregnancy. Your circulation needs to really get going because your body now has to properly look after not just one person, but two! That means it needs to put in a lot of effort!

Especially in the second and third trimesters, the pregnant woman's blood flow gets a big boost thanks to the natural hormonal changes, which makes increased sweating more likely.

The aim of this increased blood flow is also to make sure that the areas of your skin that usually only get just enough oxygen-rich blood are now really well supplied.

As a result of this increased circulation, your body feels warmer. It doesn't matter if it's internal heat or heat coming from your surroundings.

So, all you lovely mums-to-be, don't panic! Sweating in pregnancy usually isn't anything to do with being ill; it's just your body's natural way of trying to cool down again. The sweat that's produced helps to protect your skin, and therefore your body, from overheating, just like it would if you were doing exercise or something strenuous. When you exercise, your blood flow also increases, and we start to sweat. We don't see that as "unusual"; in fact, we often see it as a good thing. Sweating in pregnancy can feel a bit odd because the hot flushes aren't linked to physical activity; they just come on suddenly.

After the baby is born, the hot flushes will disappear, and so will the pregnancy sweating. It's possible that the sweating might carry on for a little while during breastfeeding too.

What You Can Do About It

Just like with many other things that come with pregnancy, there isn't really a direct treatment for hot flushes in the first instance. The increased blood flow that causes sweating during pregnancy is actually a good thing for the woman's body – but you can certainly manage it if it's bothering or restricting the pregnant person too much.

Helpful Hints if the Sweating is Getting Too Much

• Try wearing several light layers of clothing. That way, you can take something off if you get too warm.
• Wear clothes made from natural fibres like cotton and linen, as these let your skin breathe better.
• If the sweating is bothering you, you could also use special deodorants called antiperspirants. These tighten your sweat pores and reduce sweat production. These products are applied to the skin and aren't harmful to your unborn baby.
• You might want to remove underarm hair or any "unnecessary" hair in areas where you're sweating more.
• Avoid spicy and very hot foods and drinks, as these can heat your body up unnecessarily. The same goes for caffeinated drinks.
• Your bedroom should be cool to help you sleep better during night-time hot flushes. If it's hot during the day, keep the curtains closed to stop your room from heating up.
• Get yourself a spray bottle and fill it with water. Spritz your face regularly to cool down. Or keep a small fan handy in your bag.
• Have a shower when you need to so you feel fresh. Pop some face wipes in your bag so you can freshen up at work.
• If your routine check-ups show any deficiencies, your doctor should make sure these are quickly sorted out with good quality supplements that are safe for pregnancy.
• It's important to drink plenty to replace the fluids you lose through sweating. This applies even if you're sweating in winter. Have a read of our advice page "Sweating in Winter" for more on this.
• Tea, water, or the occasional fruit juice (preferably without added sugar) are good choices.

everdry wishes you all the best for your pregnancy and the upcoming arrival!

First published: 12 May 2011

Updated: 27 May 2025