A study from 2003 in The American Journal of Epidemiology stated that the use of saunas and hot tubs during pregnancy can elevate the chance of neural defects and miscarriage. As a result of this study, medical professionals now advise pregnant women to avoid taking hot baths.
Always follow this advice. Although baths may see a drop in temperature compared to saunas and hot tubs, which maintain their temperature, your core body temperature is still raised. This poses a risk. Another reason to avoid hot baths during pregnancy is that the heat can make you feel faint and lower your blood pressure. Low blood pressure can reduce the amount of blood that reaches your placenta.
If you’re looking for relief from your sore muscles, a warm bath can do the trick. Just be sure that the water temperature is 37 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) or below. You can test the water temperature by dipping your elbow in. Your elbow is the most heat-sensitive part of your body, so this is a safer gauge than using your hands or feet. Another great way to test if the water is the correct temperature is to see if you can get in the bath right away, or if you have to get in gradually. If you have to lower yourself into the bath bit by bit, that means the water is too hot.
You may have heard some rumors about bathing during pregnancy that you need clearing up. While taking a hot bath is not recommended during pregnancy, a warm bath is considered safe and can be a great way to relieve pregnancy discomfort. So go ahead and enjoy a relaxing bath – your baby will love it too!
There is a myth that taking a bath during pregnancy causes thrush. This is because it is advised not to use heavily fragrance bathing products during pregnancy, as the risk of thrush is higher. Taking a bath while pregnant won’t cause thrush if you use a bathing product that’s safe for pregnancy, or you can try essential oils (after the first trimester).
Although hot baths are not recommended during pregnancy, they will not ‘cook’ your baby. The amniotic sac, waters, and abdominal muscles protect your baby from harm caused by hot water.
Mothers-to-be have long been advised against taking hot baths, as it was believed that this could induce labor. However, recent studies have shown that there is no evidence to support this claim. In fact, hot baths may actually increase the risk of miscarrying. So, if you’re looking to jump-start your labor, a hot bath is not the way to go.
You should not take a hot bath because it can raise your core body temperature in the same way that a sauna or hot tub would. This can be dangerous, especially if you have a medical condition. If you must take a hot bath, be sure to monitor your body temperature carefully.
When pregnant, you want to make sure your bath water is warm and not hot. If the water is too hot, it can be dangerous for you and your baby. So as long as the water is just warm, you can continue bathing during your pregnancy.
