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Pregnancy

Bath temperature

28 replies

LuckyFlash · 28/08/2020 10:25

Hi all,

I feel a bit ridiculous posting this but I usually have 3-4 baths a week and am reaaaaally missing them. I stopped having them when I found out I was pregnant after reading that hot baths can cause defects in the baby.
I’m 8 weeks tomorrow so still in the first trimester.

The NHS website says ‘warm’ baths are fine and recommends 35-37 degrees. So I ran a bath last week at what I thought was warm, not hot, and used by bbt thermometer to check. I’m guessing it has a max temp of around 40 degrees as it immediately registered that and then gave up and switched off... so clearly too hot.
I ran the cold tap till it got down to 37 which to me is lukewarm, not warm. I got in but had to get out after 5 mins as I was getting goosebumps and starting to shiver!

So my question is so those of you having baths, are you having them warmer than this or do you have them at the recommended temperature and are just better at sitting in cold water? Lol.

I know if I have the bath a bit hotter I won’t personally overheat (I would never go HOT) but I’m worried about damaging the baby.

Long ramble sorry, any advice appreciated

OP posts:
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inappropriateraspberry · 28/08/2020 10:30

I had my normal baths when pregnant, nothing better than a hot soak when you're aching!

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JoJoSM2 · 28/08/2020 10:30

I also don’t find 37 warm enough. DS has been bathed in 38 degrees since he was a newborn. I think it’s more about you not overheating and not feeling like you’re boiling hot.

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inappropriateraspberry · 28/08/2020 10:31

Oh yes, both my children have enjoyed baths on the hotter side since tiny!

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KeepSmiling89 · 28/08/2020 10:33

This has me interested as I'm currently 8 weeks pregnant and love HOT showers and baths. DH always tells me off for forgetting to turn the shower temp down as it's too hot for him. Might ask midwife for some advice.

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Firstimer703 · 28/08/2020 10:34

I had hot baths when pregnant and all fine. Couldn't have managed without them!!

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daisychain1620 · 28/08/2020 10:38

I had hot baths when I was pregnant but tbh I never really thought about any harmful effects😯. I was careful about my diet, no alcohol and all the rest of it but still had hot baths as it just never occurred to me that I shouldn't. My kids are totally healthy!
Congratulations btw!

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xxxemzyxxx · 28/08/2020 11:07

I am 34 weeks now and have been having baths throughout, I prefer hotter baths too. I read that if you are having to get into a bath slowly because it’s really hot rather than just being able to lay down in it straight away, then this is too hot. Also if it is hot enough to make your skin turn red, it’s again too hot. If you need to have a hot bath it’s recommended you are not in it for too long (No more than 10 mins). So I have based the temperature of my baths on this.

Just bare in mind that the temperature for your baby is 1 degree warmer than you, so if you are feeling hot - your baby is even hotter.

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Monkeyseesmonkeydoesnt · 28/08/2020 14:03

I have hot baths twice a week, wouldn't be without them

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bluemoon2468 · 28/08/2020 14:10

I stopped having baths when I realised that having them at the recommended safe temperature was just cold and unpleasant. Haven't had a hot bath in 8 months and I miss them so much! Genuinely can't wait to jump in that birth pool 😆 I know some people carry on but I wouldn't take the risk personally. If some abnormality had come up at the 20 week scan and I'd have been taking hot baths I'd have felt awful 😔

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LeopardLover · 28/08/2020 14:19

I have daily baths! I've tried to cool them down... should probably start checking the temperature. I feel your pain!!

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grandmasterstitch · 28/08/2020 15:13

I had loads of hot baths last time. The thing with a bath is that it starts cooling down immediately so even if it's hot when you get in it will gradually get less hot. The reason why things like hot tubs are not recommended us because they keep the water at the same temperature which can be too hot after a while

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RWK29 · 28/08/2020 19:58

😂😂 nearly 31 weeks and haven’t had a bath since I found out I was pregnant in February 🙈 I like my baths scalding hot and just can’t deal with them any cooler so I’ve opted for none 😂 I figured the first hot bath after baby arrives will be a treat lol

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LeopardLover · 30/08/2020 12:03

Just an update to say this post encouraged me to buy a water thermometer - oh my gosh, a bath between 35-37 is absolutely freezing! 😅 No more enjoying baths for me...

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thetangleteaser · 30/08/2020 15:38

Just enjoy your normal bath, you have to increase your core temperature for a significant amount of time for it to potentially have any adverse affects. A hot bath for 30 minutes or so is fine, I never stopped having baths, the bath was the only place I was comfortable towards the end. The worst it will do is drop your blood pressure a bit and make you feel a bit dizzy when you get out!

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TwinkleStars15 · 30/08/2020 17:15

I’ve had hot baths throughout both pregnancies, don’t know the exact temp but definitely way hotter than 37. It’s my most relaxing time of the day and I wouldn’t give them up! It’s more about you not overheating and fainting, baby will be fine.

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doadeer · 30/08/2020 17:33

I had normal baths throughout. I had severe pelvic pain and it was momentarily soothed so I spent hours in there.

With all things in pregnancy it's about managing your own comfort level with risk. If you're going to feel anxious in a normal bath you won't enjoy it.

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Twitchett22 · 30/08/2020 18:01

I was always under the impression that hot baths aren't recommended as it can drop your blood pressure and make you feel dizzy even if it wouldn't usually do that when you're not pregnant. I've never been told by midwife or anyone else that it can cause defects in the baby?
I have a hot bath three times a week, couldn't be without them! I did with my first too and I just figured as long as I wasn't starting to feel faint it was fine? Never crossed my mind that it would harm the baby?

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Viletta · 30/08/2020 22:41

I avoided baths till week 25 or so when the baby can regulate her temperature

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Mc3209 · 30/08/2020 23:07

I am also in a 'no bath' camp during pregnancy. Really looking forward to jumping into nice hot bath with a glass of wine in hand once baby is born!

I just don't find a 37 degree bath either pleasant or relaxing.

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theboldtype · 30/08/2020 23:12

First pregnancy I had a bath and the very next day miscarried.
First trimester so could have miscarried anyway but it’s always stayed with me.

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calimommy · 31/08/2020 00:53

The idea is that being submerged in hot water raises your core temperature and doesn't allow your body to cool down in the same way a hot
Shower does. The solution is the same as using a hot tub during pregnancy, every so often allow your body to cool slightly by coming up out of the water. I appreciate it's not quite as lovely as a long soak, but you can still have the same enjoyment, just for shorter bursts of time.

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bluemoon2468 · 31/08/2020 19:48

@Twitchett22 a raised body temperature can cause birth defects, miscarriage and stillbirth. Hot baths aren't recommended for the same reason as hot tubs and saunas. It's also the reason why fevers are so dangerous in pregnancy. Obviously lots of women will continue to take baths and their babies will be fine, but it's a risk 😔

@theboldtype I also know someone who miscarried the day after taking a hot bath 😔 so sorry this happened to you, and it's definitely not something that's warned against enough 💕

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Twitchett22 · 31/08/2020 20:02

@bluemoon2468 I didn't know that! I must admit my baths are cooler than usual but probably nowhere near as cool as they should be 😬 I've definitely avoided jacuzzis and saunas but I thought that was more because they're a constant temperature all the time, whereas the bath is cooling down by the minute.

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bluemoon2468 · 31/08/2020 22:03

@twitchett22 hot tubs and saunas are worse than baths for that reason, but a hot bath can be bad too. I was told by my midwife that if the bath raises your heartrate, changes the colour of your skin (makes it go pink), makes you feel lightheaded or dizzy, or you have to get into it slowly rather than being able to get straight in then it's too hot.

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Mum2b2020 · 01/09/2020 00:47

In the 'olden days' people used to take hot baths as a form of abortion. I had a miscarriage in my first pregnancy (unlikely related to baths) but I was extra cautious in my second pregnancy and made sure not to exceed baths of 40c. I bought a baby bath thermometer to make sure

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