Appointment Icon

Jones Regional Medical Center Urgent Care - Anamosa

1795 Highway 64 East
Anamosa, IA 52205

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Ankeny)

1055 Southwest Oralabor Road
Ankeny, IA 50023

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Bett Plex)

5185 Competition Drive
Bettendorf, IA 52722

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Jordan Creek)

180 Jordan Creek Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Lindale)

153 Collins Road Northeast
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Marshalltown)

1704 South Center Street
Marshalltown, IA 50158

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Morton)

1909 North Morton Avenue
Morton, IL 61550

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (North Crossing)

2134 Logan Avenue
Waterloo, IA 50703

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Peck's Landing)

1940 Blairs Ferry Rd.
Hiawatha, IA 52233

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Peoria)

8914 North Knoxville Avenue
Peoria, IL 61615

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (San Marnan)

1655 East San Marnan Drive
Waterloo, IA 50702

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Viking Road)

1000 Brandilynn Blvd
Cedar Falls, IA 50613

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Washington)

209 North Cummings Lane
Washington, IL 61571

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Waukee)

950 E Hickman Rd
Waukee, IA 50263

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express (Waverly)

101 Cedar River Pkwy 101
Waverly, IA 50677

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic - Express at Duck Creek

1417 Kimberly Road
Bettendorf, IA 52722

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Behavioral Health Urgent Care - Des Moines

1250 East 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50316

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Express (Fort Dodge)

2728 2nd Avenue South
Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Express Care - Bettendorf

3415 53rd Avenue
Bettendorf, IA 52722

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Express Care - Moline

106 19th Avenue
Moline, IL 61265

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Express Care - North Port

3426 North Port Drive
Muscatine, IA 52761

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Express Care - SouthPark Pointe

3904 16th Street
Moline, IL 61265

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine and Walk-In Care - Cascade

610 2nd Avenue Northeast
Cascade, IA 52033

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine and Walk-In Care - Peosta

8456 Commercial Ct
PO Box 80
Peosta, IA 52068

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic First Care - East Peoria

2535 East Washington Street
East Peoria, IL 61611

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic First Care - Peoria Heights

1120 East War Memorial Drive
Peoria Heights, IL 61616

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Altoona

2720 8th Street Southwest
Altoona, IA 50009

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Ankeny Medical Park

3625 North Ankeny Boulevard
Ankeny, IA 50023

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Ingersoll

2103 Ingersoll Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50312

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Lakeview

6000 University Avenue
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Marion

2992 7th Avenue
Marion, IA 52302

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Marketplace

3035 Hamilton Boulevard
Sioux City, IA 51104

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Southglen

6520 Southeast 14th Street
Des Moines, IA 50320

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Sunnybrook

5885 Sunnybrook Drive
Sioux City, IA 51106

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Urbandale

5200 NW 100th Street
Urbandale, IA 50322

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - West

2255 John F Kennedy Road
Dubuque, IA 52002

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

UnityPoint Clinic Urgent Care - Westside

2375 Edgewood Road Southwest
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Current Estimated Wait:
Closed

12 Things No One Expects During a Summer Pregnancy

by -

Things Pregnant Women Don't Expect in the Summer

Being pregnant isn’t always easy, especially during the summer. From being hot, having swollen feet, sweating all the time and trying to dress comfortably for the weather, pregnancy during the summer months can be unpleasant.

Pregnancy in the summer


1. Being Hot All the Time

Pregnant women have an increased amount of blood in their body, so it causes them to feel warmer than most people. For a woman’s body to handle the extra blood, the blood vessels dilate slightly, bringing blood closer to the surface of the skin and causing the woman to feel warmer. Mixed with the summer heat, a pregnant woman could feel downright toasty!

2. Swollen Feet and Ankles

Although swelling is normal for women who are expecting, it can be very frustrating. Women have lots of extra fluid in their bodies during pregnancy and the pressure from the growing uterus causes swelling in the ankles and feet. Unfortunately, swelling tends to get worse during hotter weather, which could make those cute sandals a little difficult to wear.

Quick Tips to Prevent Swelling: Stretch often, avoid standing for long periods of time and try to stay cool in the hot weather.

Real Moms of Eastern Iowa blogger, Holly Jirovsky, explains how she went through swelling and how she handled it, “I had minor swelling in my hands and feet. Staying hydrated helps and remembering to put your feet up when at all possible will ease your swelling. And sometimes just ditch that wedding ring if it's too tight!”

3. Sweat, Sweat and More Sweat

Nobody told you that lots of sweating was a part of pregnancy! You sweat everywhere, from your underarms, belly, face, neck and thighs. No place on your body seems to get a break.

Why does this happen? Blood volume increases by 40-50 percent during pregnancy and your metabolism is working for two, so the body sweats more as a way to cool off. It’s important to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and to keep you feeling comfortable, especially if the temperature is high.

Tip to Keep Sweating at Bay: Avoid dressing in clothes that trap heat and use an underarm antiperspirant.

What did real mom Evette Creighton have to say about sweating during pregnancy? “There were parts of my body that I didn’t know could sweat. I cranked up the air and almost always used a fan. My poor hubby froze!”

4. No Summer “Fun”

Alcohol is off limits during pregnancy. That means saying goodbye to the summer cocktails you may love. Drinking alcohol while pregnant can result in lifelong health problems for the baby, including being born prematurely, low birth weight, learning and behavioral problems and birth defects. The best way to ensure that you will be having a healthy baby is to avoid alcohol altogether.

How to Have Summer “Fun”: Find non-alcoholic versions of your favorite cocktail, a “mocktail”, which are just as tasty!

5. All That Clothing

In the winter, it’s easy to dress up a baby belly because you can wear lots of layers, but summer clothing is a little more difficult. Pregnant women tend to feel hotter (see number 1), so dressing comfortably and fashionably (see number 6) isn’t always easy. 

How to dress comfortably: choose clothing made of light fabrics that you can layer, allowing you to easily add or remove clothing.

6. Fashion Takes a Back Seat

It can be difficult to feel comfortable while pregnant in the summer, especially since you’re carrying around some extra weight. Luckily, maternity fashion has come leaps and bounds in the recent years, but what if your feet are swollen? It could be difficult to fit into sandals, wedges, and all those cute summer shoes! To keep yourself in those cute shoes, prop up your feet when sitting and try not to cross your legs!

7. No Skipping the Sunscreen

Sun protection is important when a woman isn’t pregnant, and even more important when she is. Skin is much more sensitive during pregnancy because melanocytes, cells that produce pigment, are in overdrive and that makes the skin more susceptible to discoloration. A pregnant woman should protect her skin by using a sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 and that has a formula that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

8. Summer Heat Makes You Sleepy

Have you ever spent a relaxing day in the sun only to find that you’re exhausted at the end of the day? Your body worked hard to control its internal temperature, and during pregnancy, the body is working for two. It’s not surprising that you would feel sleepy.

A pregnant woman may become tired after spending time in the sun because she is dehydrated. Sweating to keep the body cool may cause a pregnant woman to lose quite a bit of fluid.

Quick tip: If you’re tired from pregnancy and the sun, take a nap in a cool place. It may just help you out!

Real mom Kate Ungs had this to say about spending time in the sun in the summer: “Sun bathing while pregnant is very relaxing, though it eats your energy. After a little sun time, an indoor rest and relaxation come next.”

9. Exercising Outdoors Becomes a Little Tough

Summertime is associated with outdoor activities, like riding bikes or going for walks. But in high heat and humidity, exercising outdoors isn’t really safe for a pregnant woman. However, exercise is healthy for both mother and baby, so moving her exercising indoors is a good option to staying cool and healthy. Exercising while pregnant can help with the following:

  • Feel better
  • Prepare your body for birth
  • Help with regaining pre-pregnancy body after birth 

10. Getting Enough to Drink

A pregnant woman needs to drink more water to help support the development of the baby and to prevent dehydration. Since a woman’s blood volume increases during pregnancy, a woman needs to drink lots of water every day to help prevent problems like constipation. Dehydration could lead to overheating because water is essential in heat regulation. Because a pregnant woman sweats more than usual, she needs to consume more water to prevent too much fluid loss.

Quick tip to stay hydrated: Drink lots of water and avoid sugary beverages!

11. When It’s Extremely Hot

Becoming overheated comes with many risks to mother and baby. If a pregnant woman’s body temperature reaches over 102 degrees for a period longer than 10 minutes, there could be problems with the baby and the mother can become dehydrated.

Tip to keep cool: go swimming in the pool or take cool showers frequently.

12. Sticking Close to Home

A pregnant woman doesn’t necessarily need to stick close to home, but staying close to the air conditioning to avoid overheating is a good idea. Avoid going outside during the hottest parts of the day if possible. If it is very hot outside, a pregnant woman may need to skip the park and head to the movie theater instead, where it is nice and cool.

Having a safe and healthy pregnancy, especially when it’s warm outside, is important. Talk to your doctor today about summer safety by messaging them through MyUnityPoint or by calling to make an appointment. Need a physician? Find one today at a convenient UnityPoint Clinic location near you!