Pregnancy brings about numerous body changes, including common fluctuations in temperature sensation. While many anticipate feeling warmer due to increased metabolic activity, some experience persistent coldness. This can be perplexing, leading to questions about why some feel colder than usual. Understanding these shifts helps recognize how the body adapts to support a developing baby.
The Body’s Thermostat During Pregnancy
The body’s temperature regulation system undergoes significant adjustments throughout pregnancy, leading to varied sensations. Hormonal shifts play a primary role. Progesterone, a hormone that rises substantially, has a thermogenic effect, slightly elevating core body temperature. While this might suggest feeling warmer, individual responses vary, and some perceive this altered thermoregulation as a chill.
The body’s metabolic rate also adjusts to meet the demands of a growing fetus. Although metabolism generally increases, this can lead to temperature fluctuations, making some feel colder. Blood volume and circulation patterns also change considerably. Blood volume can increase by 45% or more, with plasma volume increasing by 50-60%. Despite this overall increase, blood flow can be redistributed to prioritize the uterus and vital organs, sometimes reducing circulation to extremities like hands and feet, causing them to feel colder.
Underlying Medical Reasons for Coldness
While physiological changes are common, persistent coldness during pregnancy can sometimes signal an underlying medical condition. Anemia, particularly iron-deficiency anemia, is a frequent cause. Anemia occurs when there are insufficient healthy red blood cells to transport oxygen efficiently throughout the body. This reduced oxygen transport can impair the body’s ability to generate and maintain heat, leading to feelings of coldness, fatigue, and pallor.
Thyroid dysfunction, specifically hypothyroidism, is another condition that can cause cold intolerance. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate metabolism and body temperature. An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) slows down bodily processes, leading to symptoms like feeling cold, tiredness, and constipation. Hypothyroidism may go unnoticed until pregnancy due to increased hormonal demands.
Less common, but still possible, medical reasons for feeling cold include low blood pressure and certain infections. Low blood pressure, or hypotension, can occur due to hormonal changes that relax blood vessels, and it can result in symptoms such as cold, clammy skin, dizziness, and fatigue. Infections can also trigger chills as the body’s immune system responds to invading pathogens, sometimes accompanied by fever or flu-like symptoms.
When to Consult Your Doctor
While occasional cold sensations during pregnancy are often normal, certain accompanying symptoms warrant medical attention. It is important to consult a healthcare provider if feeling cold is accompanied by extreme fatigue, unusual weakness, or pallor, as these could indicate anemia. Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing up quickly, combined with coldness, should also prompt a discussion with a doctor, as this may point to low blood pressure.
Other concerning signs include unexplained weight changes, persistent fever, or any flu-like symptoms, which could suggest an infection. If you experience shortness of breath or a rapid heartbeat along with feeling cold, it is advisable to seek medical advice. Discussing any persistent or worrying symptoms with your obstetrician or healthcare provider during routine prenatal visits ensures proper evaluation and care.