Baths in pregnancy

[FlipperSkipper]

I'm 24 weeks and have avoided baths so far. Is it safe for me to have a warm (not hot!) bath?

[Lovewatchingrainfall]

I'm 35 weeks and have a bath at least twice a week. Any reason as to why you have avoid them?

[DrSeuss]

Yes, of course! There's a mucous plug and an amniotic sack plus a closed cervix in the way. That's just an old wives' tale.
Enjoy!

[Pootles2010]

Yes absolutely! In fact when you're in labour midwives will advise one. only risk is you overheating and fainting, but so long as not too hot you'll be fine. I quite fancy one now - just the night for a hot bath!

[gunting]

Yeah it's absolutely fine I think the issues are more to do with early pregnancy and hot tubs that stay at a constant hot temperature but as long as you aren't scolding yourself it will be fine.

[frikadela01]

I had a bath nearly every day when I was pregnant. I had it roasting hot sometimes too. Just used to keep the window open and a glass of cold water in case I felt faint but I never did.

[drinkyourmilk]

I'm 19 weeks and my midwife has advised a nice warm bath to ease stretching pains. Just don't have it too hot I'd say.

[milkshakeandmonstermunch]

I have two healthy DC - 3yo and a newborn. I had baths daily during both pregnancies and pretty hot ones at that as I was in a lot of pain and the heat helped. I have never heard to avoid baths, only to watch how hot you get. You can have a warm bath (I'd say 40C max) just keep a cool drink with you, maybe open the window etc and don't stay in for hours on end. The key is to not let your core body temperature increase too much. If your skin turns pink then you're too hot.

[FlipperSkipper]

Thanks ladies! I've not been advised not to have them, but I am extra cautious as I've had 2 miscarriages. Sounds like as long as I have it warm and not my usual hot it's not a problem. Thank you.

[PotteringAlong]

Why would you avoid baths?!

[CurlsLDN]

Baths in pregnancy are the best!
Once my bump was big enough I used to love getting in the bath as it would make ds do somersaults and we could watch my bump wriggling about

[MrsGsnow18]

Totally making me want to have a lovely warm bath now!

[frikadela01]

When I was in hospital being induced the midwife ran me a bath when I started having contractions. It was nice and hot too. Shame my contractions were coming too quick for it to have any effect.

[gunting]

I think the issue is if you raise your core body temperature with a hot bath then it can effect the early development in the first trimester and it can stop nutrients getting to the baby but you'd have to have a really hot bath for that.

[GinIsIn]

The kind of heat you need for the bath to be hot enough to do damage would be too uncomfortable for you to sit in so I really wouldn't worry!

[manhowdy]

I have had many very hot baths (30 weeks now) ~ I thought it was an old wives tale too.

[Wolfiefan]

Old advice that may be out of date but watch what you put in it. I think (check maybe?!) that certain essential oils aren't advisable in pg.

[FlipperSkipper]

Thinking about it, I was told by my IVF clinic not to have baths from egg collection to test day, so maybe it's a hangover from that in my head. I'm off to run a nice bath now though!

[neonrainbow]

Enjoy your bath! I had a steaming hot one yesterday because i was so cold. I think the main issues are in the first trimester.

[Bumbleclat]

Thanks for bringing this up, it's been a niggle at the back of my head throughout this pregnancy.

I have always loved a nice hot bath, especially since I've been pregnant but (irrationally) I have worried that the baby is boiling inside me.

I think the relaxation it brings, is good for mum and baby even though nature doesn't seem to give a shit about mum

[AudreyBradshaw]

Enjoy baths while you can before you have to be hauled out of them by someone. I thoroughly enjoyed my last one until I had to phone my Dh to come help me get out!

[TheTantrumCometh]

The only time I was told not to have a bath was after my waters broke and we were waiting 24 hours to see if labour would start, as there was no barrier and DD would have been swimming in Radox