Help! (hot) baths during first trimester

[seasister]

Hi all

I'm worried - I'm careful about not overheating with the little exercise I do, but I have been having baths every other day.

I didn't even occur to me until today that I shouldn't be having baths at all.

Should I?

They're not scalding at all; they're hot but also not luke warm; I tend to add a fair amount of cold water to cool it down beforee I can pleasantly get in. Arms and often legs out. Sometimes I add more hot as I'm in.I don't tend to sit in a bath for more than 15 mins.

Obviously I am now having a freak out. Have I put the baby at risk of defects? I'm 11 weeks today.

Thanks
x

[DuelingFanjo]

I don't think it's true that you shouldn't be having baths at all. I was told after my IVF to avoid hot baths but as far as I am aware warm baths are fine.

I wouldn't worry if I were you, it'll be fine.

[seasister]

Problem is I can't tell what's warm and what's hot! It's hard not to worry. I'm quite panicked by it now... oh well. Can't undo it.

[jeananddolly]

I had a hot bath (not scalding but not 'warm' either) every night of my pregnancy. I know 'anecdote is not evidence' but if they were a serious risk then the doctor would include that in the DON'Ts along with no smoking, no raw eggs, no recreational or OTC drugs, back to sleep etc.

Avoid saunas and hot tubs which are VERY hot but I can't see how a bath would be an issue.

Don't worry...easier said than done I know.

[DuelingFanjo]

I know what you mean Pre-pregnancy I loved a really hot bath, now I am adding cold water, testing, adding more, testing again...

I am sure you'll be ok, we're well insulated and it would take a lot to get through to the foetus I'm sure.

[deedee321]

Asked my midwife about it this week - she said normal baths are fine, boiling hot baths are no good for anyone, preg or not. She said I would know if bath was too hot as would feel uncomfortable. So I don't think you need to worry.

[seasister]

It's hard not to worry. I think the temperature I'm comfortable in is quite hot

[Cadelaide]

I love very hot baths and had them throughout all 3 of my (healthy) pgs.

never heard of it being a risk, tbh.

[luciemule]

You shouldn't be having extremely hot baths and I believe the main risk is because of a sustained high blood pressure, however, the risk is higher in saunas/steam rooms and jacuzzis where the hot temp is kept at the same level. In a bath though, the water gets progressively cooler so as long as you don't top it up too much with really hot water, you should be fine.

[notcitrus]

Was told it's a risk of you feeling ill and faint from it (and thus falling) if too hot - so if you feel fine then OK.
I went to a spa when I was 12 weeks (didn't know I was pregant) and found I just couldn't be in the sauna whereas I usually love them. Luckily there was an outdoor jacuzzi which in February was fantastic.

[seasister]

Thanks - helpful thoughts. Soooo hard not to add to list of worries and things done wrong!

[PixieCake]

Seasister, I'm in the same boat. Love hot baths and didn't realise until recently that they weren't recommended in preg. Have been having them regularly. But like someone said above, if it was a real, proven risk it would say it in the literature along with all the other warnings.
I'm not going to worry about this. Hope you can stop worrying too!

[christina1971]

Hello Seasister,

There seem to be so many things to worry about - I read "What to expect when you're expecting", and sometimes it reassured me, sometimes terrified me.

Anyway, I had a pretty hot bath every evening when I was pregnant, and everything is fine. I think saunas are a problem because you really raise your body temperature, but baths are fine, unless you feel really overheated (which is what notcitrus says, too).

Try not to worry, and enjoy your pregnancy.

[nunnie]

I have baths, and did with last pregnancy, my hubby says my baths are too warm form him. I think if you sweat and are uncomfortable then it is too hot. I wouldn't worry to much if it is a heat your are comfortable with and you don't come out red and with sweat beads on your nose and forehead.

[seasister]

Thanks all - sage advice. As Christina1971 says, so many things to worry about, you can drive yourself nuts. Ironically my midwife says that stress itself can be worse for baby than a lot of these worry...!

[Sarahlou8]

I'm 18 weeks with my third, we haven't got a shower at all at home so I've had a bath everyday throughout this, and my other pregnancies.
I've heard the risk is of you overheating, but to me if you feel to hot, you do what you're doing and lift arms and legs out. As long as you're comfortable I'm sure you'll be fine.
I went to a day spa just as I found out I was pg and there were notices up everywhere to say don't use the sauna, jacuzzi etc. I did, just for short periods just so as not to cause suspicion (nobody knew)
If there is a risk everytime you raise your body temperature, how do people in hot countries cope? That's what I always wonder.

[Missus84]

I hate lukewarm baths, so I've continued to have hot baths. So long as it's not so hot that it makes your skin go all red it's fine.

[japhrimel]

If you feel too hot - needing to lift arms and legs out, or going red & sweaty, etc - then it's too hot. The issue is that it means your own temperature is raised, so it's like you have a fever (which is bad in pregnancy!).

[Tootingbec]

Oooooh I love hot baths and have had them through both pregnancies. I think the issue is about overheating generally when pregnant (not good re: fainting, raising your blood pressure) but I don't think they actually harm your baby - well my DD is fine and assumming number 2 will be too! If it was that easy to harm a growing baby in the womb we would all be cocooned in bed for 9 months.

There is seriously too much info out there saying what you can't do - just follow Dept of Health guidance and ignore anything else you read.

If it helps with my first pregnancy I freaked out after visiting a childrens petting area where there were sheep (I didn't even touch an animal!) when 6 weeks pregnant - until I realised that the danger was for pregnant women dealing with still birth lambs during lambing season - not something I regularly do round my part of town!!

[Ziek]

How did it go??? I’m praying you have a healthy 9-10 year old now? I drew a hot bath for my wife at around 5 weeks (we’re 8-9 weeks now) and I’m absolutely freaking out.