To think the hot tub is no different from the bath, safety wise? (Pregnancy)

[hottubpreg]

We are having a weekend away and there is a hot tub. 100% trust the owners, they’re family friends and meticulously clean their hot tubs x3 a day including while guests stay.

You can set the temp anywhere from 35-40.

AIBU to think, that with the bubbles off, at a temp of 36-37, it’s no more dangerous than having a bath? As for the chlorine swimming pools also have that and are communal so same risk as going swimming germs wise, surely?

I’m nearly 11 weeks pregnant and would do anything and everything to keep baby safe but at the same time want to take a common sense approach instead of being scared of everything. I intend to have a bath tonight anyway as they have a lovely roll top bath, that would probably be hotter than the hot tub.

Would it be dangerous to use the hot tub at a lower setting?

I think they are both equally not advisable I’m afraid. It’s about not raising your core temp. So by all means go in the hot tub or have a bath but don’t have either hot enough to risk overheating (which for me when pregnant made both the hot tub and the bath entirely unappealing 😂)

The bath cools down quickly, whereas a hot tub maintains its temperature.

With a bath, usually more of your body is out of the water so it’s harder to raise core temperature but you are supposed to avoid baths that are too hot.

Hydropools are generally ok in pregnancy (33-36 degrees) so if you keep the jacuzzi in that level you should be ok.

I think the difference is that hot tubs maintain their temperature, whereas baths don't (unless you purposefully keep adding hot water).

You are more immersed in a hot tub than in the bath so its more likely to raise your core temperature.

Hot baths aren’t advised either! Also baths cool down quicker, and most people aren’t as fully submerged in a bath as in a hot tub.

Totally get your point on being sensible, but this is one that seemed to have evidence behind it so I followed. If you haven’t come across it, Expecting Better is a good, sensible, read.

Hot tubs stay at temperature and so you're more likely to overheat. Plus you're more submerged and likely to sit in it a while.

I guess you could have it cooler but would feel absolutely grim!

I was quite pragmatic when pregnant but swerved hot tubs (did still get baths after 12 weeks though).

Chlorine kills germs while hot tubs incubate them, generally at close to a perfect temperature. They meticulously clean them 3x a day? How are they doing that?

If you did and anything happened I think you’d regret it more than missing out

They're not the same. You're not so immersed in a bath, and it will start to cool down straight away whereas a hot tub is a constant temperature. I've had baths throughout pregnancy, but not let myself get too hot. I wouldn't go in a hot tub.

A bath hotter than 37C is also not advised. I wouldn’t do either.

I am sure you can survive a weekend without a hot tub. Why risk it???

“Sitting in a body of water that is warmer than your body’s temperature will raise your temperature, whether it’s a bath, hot springs, or hot tub.
During pregnancy, your body temperature shouldn’t rise above 102.2°F (39°C). That can easily occur if you spend more than 10 minutes in a hot tub with a water temperature of 104°F (40°C).
This precaution is especially important during the first trimester when a rise in temperature can cause birth defects, such as brain and spinal cord defects.
A 2006 study published in Birth Defects ResearchTrusted Source found that mild exposure before the embryo is implanted in the uterus and more severe exposure during the first trimester might result in various birth defects and even pregnancy loss.
A small 2011 studyTrusted Source pointed to possible risks associated with using the hot tub, especially during the first trimester.”

You mean the old wives' tales of a hot bath and drink gin actually had a tiny amount of basis in fact?

They empty and refill multiple hottubs 3x a day every day? Doesn't that cost a fortune in water bills (and waste!). Or do you mean they drop some tablets in 3x a day, which isn't the same thing as meticulous cleaning imo.

Anyway, I'd prob go in much later in pregnancy but 11 weeks is v common miscarriage time and if you haven't had your 12w scan yet you don't know that all is well so I personally wouldn't before 18 weeks or so.

I wouldn't at 11 weeks

I have a bath with jets and was advised that providing the jets were on low setting, I could use them in the bath. It was awesome for my backache. However having to have the bath cooler than my usual lava wasn’t great!

I wouldn't - miscarriage sadly happens in many pregnancies, usually through no fault of the mother. If I did something knowingly that increased the risk, and then miscarried, I would always wonder if I had caused it (even though it probably wouldn't have been caused by something I had done). Be careful of the hot baths as well! I think the risks are particularly high in the first trimester but I may be misremembering...

It's a huge difference, baths cool down and you not totally in it..I wouldn't risk it. I avoided baths too whilst pregnant

Also an infection risk. Water is unchanged, heated and circulated which can cause bacterial growth. The addition of bromine or chlorine can maintain a decent pH and minimise bacterial and fungal growth but doesn’t eliminate it.

You don’t get that with a bath.

No one cleans a hot tub 3 times a day either…

I can see I'm a lone voice but I would be fine with this. I perhaps wouldn't spend a long time in it and certainly if I felt at all hot and bothered I'd be straight out.

I've had hot baths throughout both my previous pregnancies and had short spells in a sauna in the second. Babies were both fine of course. Don't think my core body temperature increased to fever levels in any of that. Otoh I did actually have a few occasions of terrible fevers in both pregnancies due to usual run of the mill infections.

They clean their hot tub 3x a day? How??

Maybe there are 3 hot tubs that they clean every day.

It’s still a lot though! I doubt
it.

We're about to set up our hot tub again but will probably keep it at a lower temperature. When I go to my aqua natal sessions, the pool is set at 35 degrees and that's been fine, so we'll probably stick to a similar temperature for the hot tub for now.
I have to admit, I've stayed out of the hot tub at our spa because they are warmer but I went in today for a few minutes and it's been lovely. I'm 28 weeks now.
My OB/GYN hasn't been concerned about me going into a hot tub. I think it's mostly during the first trimester when you need to be more conscious. We are abroad and advice tends to be that it's OK to be in the hot tub but the temperature should be below 37 degrees.

Hot bath aren’t advisable.

However, you can still have a warm bath.
the issue with hot tubs is that they are hot and are designed (when on) to maintain at that temp, at least with a bath once it’s ran it’s cooling down as you’re sat in it.

In your place I would keep my eyes on the ball, which is a healthy baby, and steer clear of any avoidable risks for the next 7 months. Why would you gamble it? Are you going to feel so left out having to say no to this? Could you have a nice treat in a different way?