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?

The issue with a rise in your core body temperature is that there's some evidence it can cause/contribute to neural tube defects. Your temp has to be very high for this to be a concern, and it's only relevant during the first 6 weeks or so when the neural tube is forming.

I'm not actually sure that there's any concrete evidence of harm from a rise in your temperature beyond this point. It seems to be one of those frequently cited cautions in pregnancy without any clear basis to support it. I think as long as you're careful and don't spend too long in there (set a timer), maybe sit out every few mins and just dangle your legs in...it'll be fine. But if you're going to worry and not actually enjoy the experience then I'd say it's not worth it.