Pregnancy changes almost everything about how your body regulates temperature — and sleep suffers significantly as a result. Overheating is one of the most common sleep complaints during pregnancy, particularly in the second and third trimesters, and it is one of the most addressable.
Why Pregnancy Causes Overheating at Night
During pregnancy blood volume increases by up to 50 percent. More blood circulating means more heat generated and more heat that needs to be dissipated through the skin. The metabolic demands of supporting a growing baby raise your basal metabolic rate — you are running hotter around the clock. Hormonal changes, particularly rising progesterone, raise body temperature further.
The result is a body that generates significantly more heat than usual at a time when comfortable sleep is already harder to achieve for other reasons.
Is a Cooling Blanket Safe During Pregnancy?
Yes. A cooling blanket is a passive textile — it contains no chemicals that release during use, no electronic components, and no active cooling agents. It works purely through the thermal conductivity of the fabric. There is nothing in a quality nylon cooling blanket that poses any risk during pregnancy.
The concern some people have relates to getting too cold — but a cooling blanket draws excess heat away rather than refrigerating you. It brings your skin temperature toward a comfortable equilibrium rather than cooling you below it.
What to Look For
Material: 100% nylon cooling fiber on both sides. Avoid blankets with chemical treatments or unfamiliar coatings — stick to pure fiber cooling.
Weight: Lightweight is better during pregnancy. Heavy blankets add to the heat load and can feel uncomfortable as your body changes.
Size: A queen size gives you enough coverage to use comfortably as your body changes through each trimester.
Washability: You will be washing it frequently. Machine washable cold, air dry.
Other Strategies That Help
Keep your bedroom below 68°F. Use breathable linen or bamboo sheets as your base layer. A cooling pillowcase addresses head and neck heat specifically. A quiet fan improves airflow without noise that disrupts sleep. Quiet bedroom fan →
The Bottom Line
Overheating during pregnancy is a real and disruptive sleep problem with a straightforward solution. A quality cooling blanket removes the heat buildup that wakes you up — giving your body the comfortable environment it needs for the sleep that both you and your baby depend on.
The Stillwell Cloud is lightweight, machine washable, and cools on both sides all night. See The Cloud →