Is it best to avoid the seaside when you’re pregnant? Here’s what you need to know and what not to do

For centuries, the sea has been associated with rest and self-care. It is therefore not surprising that many pregnant women wonder whether spending their summer holidays by the sea is a safe choice for themselves and their baby. The answer provided by scientific studies is reassuring: there is no need to avoid the seaside. As with many aspects of daily life, however, it is important to know what to do, what to avoid and when it is advisable to consult your doctor.

Yes, in a pregnancy that is progressing without complications. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2024 in *BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth* – which analysed ten randomised clinical trials involving nearly 2,000 women – showed that aquatic activities during pregnancy help to better control maternal weight and improve quality of life, without any adverse effects on the foetus. Leading international guidelines also support this recommendation: theWorld Health Organisation recommends that women with uncomplicated pregnancies engage in at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, and the guidelines of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists explicitly include hydrotherapy and aquatic exercises amongst the activities considered safe during pregnancy.

Swimming in water has the advantage of reducing the strain on the joints and making you feel lighter, which is particularly welcome during the final months of pregnancy. However, it is important to follow some common-sense precautions: avoid the hottest part of the day, do not spend long periods in direct sunlight, drink water frequently to avoid dehydration, and do not swim in the open sea if there are strong currents or adverse weather conditions. It is always advisable to consult your gynaecologist before starting any exercise programme, even if it is of moderate intensity.

Pregnant women feel the heat more intensely than usual. During pregnancy, the body produces more heat and, to dissipate it, increases blood flow to the skin: a mechanism that places greater strain on thermoregulation even on an ordinary day. In summer, the combination of high temperatures, prolonged sun exposure and dehydration can become a real risk factor. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in *Nature Medicine* in 2025, which analysed 198 studies conducted across 66 countries, found that exposure to heat during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth by approximately 4 per cent for every degree Celsius rise in temperature, and by 26 per cent during heatwaves. Consistent findings emerge from an analysis recently published in *Environment International*, which examined over 36 million births across 13 countries – including Italia – estimating that during the hot season, the risk of preterm birth increases by 2.8 per cent on days of moderate heat and by 3.8 per cent on days of intense heat, with approximately 974 additional preterm births per million births attributable to heat in our country.

The risk does not apply to a normal day at the beach where the necessary precautions are taken, but to situations of prolonged exposure without shelter: being out in the sun during the middle of the day (between around 11 am and 4 pm), not drinking enough water, and not seeking shade or cool places. During heatwaves with a red alert, doctors generally advise avoiding going out during the hottest hours of the day and staying in air-conditioned environments. Symptoms that should not be underestimated include intense thirst, dizziness, weakness, palpitations and a drop in blood pressure: in such cases, it is important to contact your gynaecologist immediately or go to A&E.