Hot Flashes & Night Sweats
Sudden feeling of intense heat and sweating, especially at night.
Medically reviewed by healthcare professionals | Last reviewed: March 2026
📅 When It Occurs
Throughout pregnancy, often worse at night
📊 How Common
About 35% of pregnant women experience hot flashes
Overview
Hot flashes during pregnancy cause a sudden feeling of intense heat spreading through your body, especially your face, neck, and chest. You may sweat profusely and your skin may become flushed.
Pregnancy increases your metabolic rate and blood flow to the skin, making you feel warmer. Hormonal fluctuations, particularly surges in estrogen and progesterone, trigger the hypothalamus (your body's thermostat) to perceive you're overheating.
Night sweats can disrupt sleep, waking you up drenched in sweat. Many women sleep with minimal covers, use fans, or keep the bedroom cool to manage nighttime heat.
📆 By Trimester
First Trimester
Can begin early
Second Trimester
Continue throughout
Third Trimester
May worsen as metabolism peaks
🔍 What Causes It?
- •Increased blood volume and circulation
- •Higher metabolic rate
- •Hormonal fluctuations
- •Hypothalamus sensitivity
- •Carrying extra weight
- •More prominent in summer or warm climates
💡 Relief Strategies
- ✓Dress in layers you can remove
- ✓Wear lightweight, breathable cotton clothing
- ✓Keep bedroom cool (65-68°F)
- ✓Use fan or air conditioning
- ✓Drink cold water
- ✓Take cool showers
- ✓Use light bedding
- ✓Avoid spicy foods, caffeine, hot drinks
- ✓Stay hydrated
- ✓Carry portable fan
🛍️ Comfort Products That May Help
Comfort and preparation products other expecting parents find helpful at this stage. These are convenience picks, not medical advice — always follow your provider's guidance.
Full-Body Pregnancy Pillow
U-shaped support for side-sleeping that helps take pressure off hips and back.
Check Price on Amazon →Belly Butter / Stretch-Mark Cream
Rich cocoa-butter moisturizer to keep a growing belly comfortable and hydrated.
Check Price on Amazon →Motivational Water Bottle
Staying hydrated eases many pregnancy aches; a time-marked bottle makes it easy.
Check Price on Amazon →Amazon Associates Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. These recommendations are editorially chosen comfort and preparation products and are not medical advice.
⚠️ When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- ⚠Hot flashes with fever
- ⚠With dizziness or fainting
- ⚠Severe sweating causing dehydration
- ⚠Interfering significantly with sleep
- ⚠With rapid heartbeat or chest pain
📅 Explore by Trimester
Learn how this symptom and others change throughout your pregnancy journey: