Your aching back and other pregnancy pains might have you craving a soothing soak in a hot tub or a relaxing lounge in a sauna. But is it safe to go into a hot tub or sauna while you're pregnant?
Here's what you need to know about saunas and hot tubs during pregnancy.
Can you get into a hot tub while pregnant?
No. While you don't need to switch to cold showers, it's probably a good idea to skip the hot tub and the sauna when you're pregnant. While sitting in a sauna or soaking in a hot tub may seem like the perfect remedy to soothe your pregnancy aches and pains, both activities are risky.
First of all, pregnant women are at a greater risk for dehydration, dizziness and lower blood pressure in general, and these symptoms may intensify in extreme heat. Plus, anything that raises your core body temperature to over 101 degrees Fahrenheit and keeps it there for a while is potentially hazardous to your baby-to-be — especially during the early months, when your little one's body and brain are developing.
Research shows that exposure to high temperatures can increase your baby’s risk of neural tube defects of the brain, spine or spinal cord during the first month of pregnancy, including spina bifida, a birth disorder that occurs when a baby’s backbone doesn't fully close as it develops.
Pregnancy and hot tubs: Are they ever safe?
Again, you'll probably want to skip the saunas and hot tubs completely during pregnancy until your doctor gives you the green light after you've delivered. But if you absolutely can’t resist, take these safety precautions to reduce the risk of harming your baby:
- Most hot tubs are set at between 100 and 102 degrees F, with 104 degrees F being the maximum temperature setting. Adjust yours to maintain a lower temperature — around 97 to 98 degrees F — and keep a thermometer in the water to make sure it stays that way.
- Limit soak or sauna time to less than 10 minutes.
- Get out of the tub as soon as you feel any discomfort, including sweating or signs of overheating like dizziness or clamminess.
- If you have any chronic health conditions or pregnancy complications, or if you're already feeling warm due to exercise or fever, stay out of the tub.
- Dip only your feet into the whirlpool's warm water, and limit the soak to less than 10 minutes at a time.
If you've already relaxed in a hot tub or sauna, there isn't much cause for concern. Most women get out before their body temperature reaches 101 degrees because the heat gets too uncomfortable, so it’s likely you did, too.
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But if you’re concerned, speak with your practitioner, who may recommend an ultrasound or other prenatal test to make sure everything is on track with your baby's development.
Your best bet while you’re building that baby is to stick to a warm bath — since most of your upper body remains out of the water in the tub, you’re a lot less likely to overheat. Add some bubbles and a scented candle to the mix and watch your tension go right down the drain.
Here’s to a safe and healthy pregnancy!
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