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August 2022 Moms
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Taking baths

Katek819Katek819 member
in August 2022 Moms
Hi ladies,
I love to take baths, its a huge destressor for me. But I know its not exactly "recommended" when pregnant. I have flat out asked my ob yet but was just wondering what everyone has heard about it. Pink Stork makes "pregnancy flakes" which is like bath salts to help you relax, I really like it but why would they make them if we can't use them. I don't want to give up my baths just yet but I know it can run up your BP if its to hot so I only stay like 15 - 20mins. 
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Re: Taking baths

  • wigglyicecreamwigglyicecream member
    From what I’ve read and understand it’s our internal temperature raising too high which is the concern. Same reason we shouldn’t be in saunas and jacuzzis. I don’t remember exactly the temp but you can take a bath, it just has to stay under a certain temp. I remember reading an article on the bump! I would say try googling the temp. 
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  • geshemgeshem member
    I've read that it's fine as long as you keep the water temperature under 99 or 100F. It'll feel warm but not hot. I used an oral thermometer to test it but they make special bath thermometers that are easier to use. As @wigglyicecream said, the point is so you don't raise your internal temperature, and also so you don't dehydrate. I think I also read to keep it under 20 minutes, but if you start it under 100F, it's going to be too cool to want to stay in it that long anyway I think. A hot tub is much worse because it's constantly cycling the water to make sure it stays at the high temp, but a bath with start cooling as soon as you stop filling it.
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  • starkettestarkette member
    Baths are ok as long as they aren't over a certain temp. I have such tight leg muscles and need epsom salt baths so I asked my OB and she said at home baths are fine.
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  • mrs-kay929mrs-kay929 member
    I’ll echo others and say to test the water to make sure it doesn’t get too warm for you and baby. 

    Baths completely got me through my last pregnancy. For some reason being in the water lessened the nausea significantly. 
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  • Katek819Katek819 member
    Thank you 
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  • anniemarie887anniemarie887 member
    I took baths my entire first pregnancy, have a happy and healthy two year old. Talk to your OB, she can probably explain better but typically a bath isn’t truly a concern as your body heat is still escaping through your head/upper body that is out of the water. You can also get a temp sensor if that makes you feel better! 
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  • chellelin-34chellelin-34 member
    I love my baths especially while pregnant! This is baby number 4 and all has been well. Just don’t make it piping hot where you feel yourself start to sweat. I used to use my meat thermometer to make sure I kept it under, I think like 102…. But double check. I don’t do that anymore I just gauge by how I feel. 
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  • nursenicoleenursenicolee member
    I’m an avid bath soaker here and I was told you can do baths and jacuzzi soaks as long as you don’t raise your body temp over 100-something, might even be 102 but I used 100 to be safe.   It’s harder than you think in the bath. Use a thermometer on yourself frequently while you soak to see how your body reacts.  If your temp is going up, cool off body and/or water by sitting up for a bit, evaporation cools you pretty fast. I stopped checking with baby #1 because my temp would NEVER raise in the bath. Started checking again just in case. Most of the time your whole body isn’t under the water in the bath, so it’s really hard to get your body temperature to raise.   

    Jacuzzis HOWEVER, are different because the temperature is constant with a thermostat and it’s constantly reheating… and since your body goes all the way in (less skin evaporation) it is much easier to raise your body temperature way too high. Set the jacuzzi heat to 98-100 and call it a day.  Usually when our temp goes up we feel hot and sit on the ledge anyways… but it can’t go above 100 if the water isn’t heating over 100. Check your temp for peace of mind.  Oh and always pee after soaking in bath/jacuzzi so u don’t get a uti!
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  • bridgiebee82bridgiebee82 member
    I love taking baths, but the tub in our apartment is tiny. I want like, a garden tub where I can practically swim around. I know they can be a pain to clean, but that's what I want when I grow up and buy a house! Lol 

    I wasn't sure if Epsom salt baths would be okay, but I figure it'll be okay because the magnesium is good for women, regardless of being pregnant. I take a supplement every day to help with staying regular. 
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  • mz_naymz_nay member
    I took a bath the other morning because I was having a terrible leg cramp so I googled to see if it was ok and then proceeded to do an epsom salt bath. It really helped. I made sure I had a bottle of water near the tub to drink because of the dehydration. But not sure if that would help or not. 
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  • bridgiebee82bridgiebee82 member
    @mz_nay having a bottle of water nearby when taking an Epsom salt bath is always a good idea, pregnant or not. I'm glad you got relief. 
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