Can we talk about hot baths?

BabyC1 · November 2015

I know they say you shouldn't take them while pregnant because of what it can do to your core body temperature and can cause harm to the baby. I kinda forgot about this until last night when I was soaking in the hot tub. I love hot baths. I did still take some during my other pregnancies, but I mostly remember taking them when I was further along. So of course when I got out I Googled and come to find out they make it sounds like it is more risky early in pregnancy when the neural tube starts developing, etc...which is basically right now.

sboston06 · November 2015

I took a moderately hot bath last week too and didn't think about it until afterwards. I think the concern is when your body temperature goes over 102 or something. Basically when your body gets overheated, it can screw up the development. I think it would be bad to go into a hot tub for a half hour or so, but baths don't tend to be as hot as hot tubs (or last as long, at least for me).

I'd be interested if you decide to do it again, what your temperature actually is after soaking for a little while. That might give you a better idea of what the water is doing to your body overall. Just a thought...

BabyC1 · November 2015

oh for some reason the rest of my post got cut off, but i just went on to say of course i worry -- and i had cramping up until today and now today nothing. :-( but i know that doesn't necessarily mean anything and i'm sure it's all fine, but you know how these thoughts eat away at you. blah!

and thank you @sboston06 ...I actually thought about that afterwards -- are you saying just taking my temperature? yeah, i could do that -- i did read that your skin shouldn't turn pink/red and my skin WAS pink. so there's that. ;-) ugh! i forget about all these worries.

sboston06 · November 2015

@BabyC1 - yup, just take your temperature! You could even do it while in the tub and get out if it starts creeping up too much. I didn't think to do this when I took a bath last week, but it might give you some concrete data. Sometimes my skin is pink after a hot shower, so I think that is too subjective.

BabyC1 · November 2015

This makes me feel better because you're right, I take hot showers where my skin turns pink too. That's a good idea -- I'll have to test this out and see what I can come up with! But yeah, just had to get this off my chest today. These early days before an ultrasound are sooooo hard! :-(

PugsandKisses · November 2015

Your fine. 1) the water starts to cool with in moments, unlike a hot tub. 2) you have to raise your core temp and keep it elevated. That is hard to do in a regular bathtub.

victoria98 · November 2015

Hey what about a hot shower? The weathers getting cold and I honestly don't think I can take a shower in not hot water

chanfa · November 2015

@victoria98 I would assume its similar to what @pugsandkisses said. If its hard to get your body temp to stay at a high temp in a tub, its possible its even harder to do in a regular standing shower. I would definitely make sure you can ventilate the steam though.

noelietrex · November 2015

Is this a thing? I've been taking hot baths almost every day (our new house has an amazing soaking tub built for 2). Hot baths help the nausea and they're the only way I feel like I can relax. Plus epsom salt is magic for sore muscles. Idk that I really buy this... I mean how hot are we talking? The water isn't boiling. It's never too hot to hop in comfortably or turning my skin red or anything. Ugh if this is a thing I think I'm going to ignore this one. There are too many rules and I just can't. I'll let you know how seamonkey's brain turns out.

stillcozy · November 2015

I forgot too I was so miserable with ms but today I was feeling worried I did something bad.

tennisbabymama · November 2015

@noelietrex I wouldn't worry about it. Hot baths are just fine especially at that temp. Hot tubs, like a jacuzzi, are not. But I really don't think your getting your baths as hot as a jacuzzi. But a warm tub.... Have at it

LittleLunarMouse · November 2015

After some quick research, the danger comes from hot TUBS, not hot baths. Hot tubs are programmed to maintain a 104 degree temperature, and you are typically submerged at least to your shoulders. In hot baths, the water begins to cool immediately and the upper portion of your body is typically out of the tub, reducing the risk of overheating.

Hot water heaters in the US max out at 120 degrees, and I don't know about you, but I never turn the hot water ALL the way on. It's too scalding and then you can't enjoy the bath. If you feel yourself overheating a bit, sit on the side of the tub for a sec to cool off and then get back in.

Consensus: hot baths are perfectly safe

Here's the article I found if you want to check for yourself:
https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/hot-tubs-during-pregnancy/

bunkie999 · November 2015

I've been having baths I just make sure if I start feeling hot I get out! I love baths

Christal161 · November 2015

With my experience, I do take hot baths. My idea of a hot bath can be different to everyone! I tend to let the water get cold before filling it with more water. I'm pretty tall and plump, so the water doesn't go over my breast. I did all the same things with my last pregnancy as well and even my mother said she lived everyday with a hot bath, with all 3 of her pregnancy. Again, my experience and opinion.

ijstarr28 · November 2015

I've been avoiding tit because i was scared. If i get more cramping tonihgt (dr just calls it 'growing pains) then i'm getting in the bath!! ours has jets and everything!!

elenabrent · November 2015

I've been taking warm baths. Not so hot that my skin turns pink, but warm enough to relax me. I've read that you don't want your body temperature to go above 102, so I've been cautious. But they make me feel so much better in my tender abdomen and sore back that it's worth it.

catherinekate · November 2015

I panicked about this -- FTM and my doctor's office never mentioned hot baths. I knew jacuzzis and hot tubs were off-limits but it never occurred to me that hot baths might be just as bad. I live in a cold uninsulated house so I take baths almost every day simply to warm up -- I tried to go without for a few days but it's not worth freezing my arse off.

BostonBaby1 · November 2015

catherinekate said:
I panicked about this -- FTM and my doctor's office never mentioned hot baths. I knew jacuzzis and hot tubs were off-limits but it never occurred to me that hot baths might be just as bad. I live in a cold uninsulated house so I take baths almost every day simply to warm up -- I tried to go without for a few days but it's not worth freezing my arse off.

You could get a space heater. That would probably be a really good idea to avoid colds which would be worse for you in the winter.

elldel · November 2015

I am a bath fanatic, but I usually just take the temp of the water with my thermometer before getting in!

catherinekate · November 2015

@bostonbaby1 -- we have one but you're totally right that we should invest in more.

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