Hot baths During Pregnancy: One thing expectant mothers-to-be may do to relax their bodies and ease muscle pain is to take a warm bath. To ensure that this activity does not endanger pregnant women or the fetus in the womb, a number of factors must be taken into account.

hot baths During Pregnancy safe or harmful

Warm baths during pregnancy are helpful for healing muscle pain as well as reducing lower back pain and calming the mind, making them appropriate for expectant mothers who want to relax and deal with stress. But, pregnant women can only get these advantages if they follow the proper procedures.

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Facts About Hot Baths During Pregnancy

As long as the water doesn’t exceed 38°C, warm baths are generally safe for expectant mothers. Avoid bathing in water that is too hot because doing so might cause hyperthermia in pregnant women, especially during the first trimester.

Long-term exposure to too hot water can also drop blood pressure and make pregnant women easily weak, dizzy, and exhausted. The likelihood that the fetus will not receive enough nutrition and oxygen can also rise due to this situation.

Also, it is thought that taking hot baths too frequently during pregnancy increases the chance of miscarriage, disruptions in the development of the brain and nervous system, and even infant hernias.

These hazards can arise not just when the mother takes a hot bath, but also when the expectant mother relaxes in a hot tub, sauna, steam room, or pool.

Tips for Safe Bathing in Warm Water During Pregnancy

Follow these recommendations to ensure that pregnant women can benefit from a warm bath in a variety of ways:

Pay close attention to the time and temperature

The ideal water temperature for a warm bath is no higher than 38°C, as was previously established. Moreover, pregnant women are recommended not to bathe for longer than 10 minutes.

Pregnant ladies might use a thermometer to verify the water’s temperature before taking a bath. In addition, pregnant women can feel warmness with their fingertips or elbows. Let the water to sit for a few minutes or add extra cold water if the temperature is still too high or feels too hot.

Refrain from soaking in a hot tub.

It’s better to take a warm bath with a dipper and wash your body than to soak in the tub. This is due to the fact that pregnant women sometimes take excessively long baths. Long-term soaking in warm water might raise a pregnant woman’s body temperature.

In addition, the bacteria in the soaking water, particularly if pregnant women are bathing in public locations, might be harmful to the fetus’ health.

Steer clear of bubble baths and aromatherapy baths

The body can actually become more relaxed by taking a bubble bath or soaking in warm water with aromatherapy oils. Pregnant women should refrain from using this, though, since it may raise their risk of developing a vaginal infection with the fungus Candida albicans.

If left untreated, this yeast infection can make the vaginal area uncomfortable and, once the baby is born, it can spread to the newborn.

Pregnant ladies who want to take a bath instead might substitute warm water for Epsom salt. It is well known that taking an Epsom salt bath can reduce pain, clean the skin, and soothe pregnant ladies.

Be cautious when using the restroom.

Women who are pregnant should exercise caution when entering, leaving, and using the restroom. Pregnant women who trip on slippery flooring risk injury. In actuality, if pregnant women trip and fall, the fetus inside the mother’s womb may also sustain injuries.

Before going into the restroom, put rubber non-slip feet on the floor to prevent this. If required, set up a seat next to a bathtub or under the shower so that expectant women can take baths while seated.

Conclusion

It is fairly safe to take a warm shower while pregnant as long as you meet some of the conditions listed above, and it will be good for your health. But, if you are still uncertain or have concerns about taking a warm bath while pregnant, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor at a routine prenatal checkup.

reference : MayoClinic