Feeling Cold Early Pregnancy: Causes and Tips

During early pregnancy, it's common to feel a range of symptoms, but some women may experience unexpected sensations like feeling cold. While this isn't as widely discussed as other symptoms, many pregnant women report feeling chilly, particularly in the first trimester. Feeling cold early pregnancy can be surprising, but it’s often linked to hormonal shifts or changes in circulation as your body adjusts to supporting a growing baby. Let’s dive into why this happens and how to manage it.

Causes of Feeling Cold Early in Pregnancy

1. Hormonal Changes

The hormonal shifts that occur in early pregnancy, particularly the increase in estrogen and progesterone, can affect your body’s ability to regulate temperature. While these hormones are preparing your body for the baby, they can sometimes cause you to feel unusually cold, particularly in the hands and feet [1].

2. Increased Blood Flow

Your blood volume increases significantly during pregnancy to supply oxygen and nutrients to your growing baby. As your blood circulation focuses on supporting the fetus, it may leave your extremities colder than usual. This can contribute to that "cold hands and feet" feeling early in pregnancy [2].

3. Morning Sickness and Low Energy

If you experience nausea and vomiting, which are common in early pregnancy, your body may not be able to keep enough food down. This lack of nourishment can leave you without sufficient energy to generate heat, causing you to feel cold. The combination of a slowed metabolism and lack of nutrients can make maintaining body warmth more difficult. If you're wondering how early can morning sickness start, we discuss that in another article.

4. Thyroid Function

An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) is another potential cause of feeling cold during pregnancy. The thyroid gland helps regulate metabolism, and when it's underactive, you may experience fatigue, dry skin, and a feeling of constant cold. If this symptom persists, it’s worth discussing thyroid testing with your doctor.

5. Anemia

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Iron deficiency, or anemia, is common during pregnancy. Without enough iron, your body struggles to produce enough red blood cells to deliver oxygen, leaving you feeling cold, weak, and tired. Anemia can make it difficult for your body to regulate its temperature, which may contribute to feeling cold early pregnancy.

Managing Cold Sensations in Early Pregnancy

If you're dealing with coldness during early pregnancy, there are a few simple things you can do to stay warm. Treating cold during pregnancy requires a slightly different approach [3]:

• Layer Up: Wearing multiple layers of clothing, especially on your extremities, can help maintain warmth. Opt for thermal socks, blankets, or cozy robes to combat the chill.
• Stay Active: Light exercises like walking or prenatal yoga can boost circulation and help warm you up. Just be sure not to overexert yourself, especially in the first trimester.
• Hydrate with Warm Fluids: Drinking warm, non-caffeinated beverages like herbal teas can provide internal warmth and comfort.
• Eat Iron-Rich Foods: Include more iron-rich foods in your diet, such as leafy greens, beans, and fortified cereals. If you're concerned about anemia, consult your doctor about iron supplements.

When to See a Doctor

While feeling cold early pregnancy symptom can often be explained by hormone changes or mild nutritional deficiencies, it’s important to monitor any additional symptoms. If you experience persistent coldness along with extreme fatigue, pale skin, or dizziness, it may signal a more serious issue like hypothyroidism or anemia, both of which require medical attention.

The Bottom Line

While not as common as other pregnancy symptoms, feeling cold can be a normal part of early pregnancy due to hormonal changes, blood flow adjustments, or issues like anemia. If you’re experiencing feeling cold early pregnancy, remember it’s usually temporary, but pairing it with fatigue or dizziness could signal a need to check in with your provider. If you're wondering, "is being cold a pregnancy symptom?" the answer is yes—it can be, though it’s always wise to check with your doctor if you're concerned. Staying warm with simple remedies like layering clothing and maintaining a healthy diet can help manage the discomfort.

 Sources:

1. Parents. Why You May Feel Cold During Pregnancy—And What To Do About It. [Updated August 9, 2023]. Accessed on September 29, 2024- https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/are-the-chills-normal-during-pregnancy/ 
2. Li N, Cai L, Heizhati M, Wang L, Li M, Zhang D, Abulikemu S, Yao X, Hong J, Zou B, Zhao J. Maternal exposure to cold spells during pregnancy is associated with higher blood pressure and hypertension in offspring later in life. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2020 Oct;22(10):1884-1891. doi:10.1111/jch.14015. Epub 2020 Aug 20. PMID: 32815665; PMCID: PMC8029659.
3. Erebara A, Bozzo P, Einarson A, Koren G. Treating the common cold during pregnancy. Can Fam Physician. 2008 May;54(5):687-9. PMID: 18474699; PMCID: PMC2377219.