Pregnant women may often experience body aches. To curb and manage these symptoms, women may consider indulging in a hot shower or soak themselves in a warm water tub. However, pregnant women may wonder if it is safe to use hot tubs in pregnancy. Read this post to learn about the safety, benefits, and side effects of hot water bathing in pregnancy.
Is It Safe To Take A Hot Water Bath During Pregnancy?
It is safe to take a hot water bath during pregnancy if the water is not too hot. In general, health experts recommend pregnant women to avoid hot water as it elevates body temperature, which could be risky for the baby. Also, hot water baths are not safe when you have vaginal bleeding or ruptured membranes. To prevent burns on the skin, test the water temperature with your wrist or forearm and see if you are comfortable with it. Also, if the water is too hot, it can increase your body temperature to above normal.
What Temperature Should The Bath Water Be For A Pregnant Woman?
The water should ideally be between 92°F/ 33°C and 98°F/ 36.3°C, i.e., warm or tepid. Also, your body temperature should not go above 102.2°F or 38.9°C when you are in a bathtub filled with hot water (1). If the temperature crosses this limit, it can lead to the following complications for you and your baby.
Drop in blood pressure levels, which can deprive oxygen supply to the fetus
Weakness and dizziness
Birth defects in the first trimester
So, it is best to avoid hot tubs, saunas, Jacuzzi and steam baths that can increase your body temperature quickly, during pregnancy.
What Are The Side Effects Of A Hot Water Bath During Pregnancy?
A hot bath can increase your core body temperature, which can be dangerous for the baby as well.
Is it safe to use saunas, Jacuzzis and hot tubs in pregnancy?
No, it is better to avoid sauna or Jacuzzi as they are likely to increase the risks of dehydration, overheating and fainting.
Can A Hot Bath Cause A Miscarriage During Early Pregnancy?
A hot water bath during early pregnancy could result in a miscarriage, and the risk is higher when you have frequent hot water baths with very hot water (5). However, further studies are required to find a concrete association between the duration and frequency of showering in the early stages of pregnancy and miscarriage or congenital disabilities in the baby. Meanwhile, a bath in reasonably hot water can be beneficial to you during pregnancy.
Benefits Of Hot Water Bath During Pregnancy
A warm water bath can be physically and mentally relaxing during pregnancy (6) and offers the following benefits.
Can You Use A Hot Tub When Pregnant?
No. Use of hot tubs is not recommended during pregnancy as it can increase the core body temperature and affect fetal development. In the first trimester, it might lead to neural tube defects and miscarriage, and later cause dehydration in moms (2).
Hot Tubs vs. Hot Baths: What Is Safe During Pregnancy?
A hot bath is safer than a hot tub, as the water in the bath cools down quickly whereas the water temperature remains hot in a tub. Also, in a hot bath, your upper body is out of the water as opposed to a hot tub where you submerge entirely. That said, a hot bath will also pose risks if the water is too hot and the duration of the bath is too long. Try to monitor and maintain a safe body temperature to avoid the risks of a hot bath.
Is It Safe To Try A Hot Bath To Induce Labor?
A warm bath is relaxing and a better option to induce labor (8). But if the water is too hot, your baby will feel hotter and stressed inside. So, test the water by putting your forearm or elbow in it. If your skin becomes inflamed or starts to sweat, the water is probably very hot.
