Hot baths - dangerous or just a myth?

[chicaguapa]

My friend has just told me that you're not supposed to have hot baths when you're pg. Is this true? I've not heard of this before and had v.hot baths while pg with DD1.

I hear of it and I actually avoid them while I was pregnant (there should have been a very good reason as I love VERY hot showers)but as a new mother I have lost part of my brain and I don't remember the reason, however, what I remeber now that I'm trying to get my figure back (what figure??? did I have one before????) the bad thing of hot water is that really favours cellulite and causes other "esthetic" problems. The other thing is that if you are severely pregnant you may get stuck on the bath so be sure somebody is actually in the house who may help you out just in case (I didn't believe it was possible until it happened to me...)

I believe I'm remebering something... it has to do with your pulse which gets slower in very hot water, and causes that the baby doesnt get as much oxigen as he's meant to... well, better not to believe me, my memory was severely damaged while pregnant...

I've always wondered about that too, because I favored hot-ish baths during both my pregnancies. So I just did a google search & here is what one ob/gyn said:

"Anecdotally, an increase in core body temperature has been associated with an increase for congenital malformations (birth defects). Therefore, Ob/Gyns advise women to avoid excessive heat, especially during the first trimester. This includes excessive heat encountered in the work place, Jacuzzis, baths and saunas.

Taking a hot shower usually doesn't result in an increased core body temperature, provided that the shower is not excessively hot or long.

Heating pads, when used appropriately, are safe to use during pregnancy and will not increase the risk for malformations."

Another ob/gyn said there is "uncertainty" surrounding the effects of a hot bathso I gather no one knows for sure exactly how dangerous hot baths are, or if they're dangerous. But they likened the raise in temperature to a feverand said that high fevers are bad for developing fetuses expecially in the first trimester.

Hope this fills in some of the blanks. . .

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I think it is because to cool down your body brings your blood to the suface - trying to cool down like when you've been running etc. As a result the blood (oxygen supply) is being reduced to your baby if you over heat.

I love hot baths, and during pg my DH comes and checks the temp to make sure I haven't got carried away. Also he won't let me have a heated underblanket on - due to the possible effects of the magnetic field of the heating elements!! This is all because he read just one page of all my pregnancy books, if only thatpage had been the one on the benefit of massage!

I heard this too and was told that it's because the baby is unable to control its body temperature effectively and it could be dangerous if he/she gets too hot. I had lukewarm baths for 9 months and hated it!

lying in a hot bath is the only thing that makes my SPD a bit better.

what else do I have to give up.......

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I had hot baths. Life isn't worth living without hot baths. Ds is fine, and actually, really likes hot baths himself. Top catchphrase: "ooh, this bath is lovely and warm". He howled through his first bath until we twigged and upped the temperature. He's been happy at boiling point ever since.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I loved hot baths and continued to have them. Saunas and jacuzzis are a bit different though. They increase your core temp much more.

Didnt they use hot baths and gin to induce miscarriage in the olden days ??????

Thanks Mears! I'm saved! I love a hot bath and have been trying to keep bump poking out of water. We can;t give up everythig without justification!

I have to have baths and showers that are almost scalding. I still had them when pg.

The only thing I crave in pregnancy is a bath....and for me a bath just isn't the same, unless it's hot! I have to have up to three a day to be satisfied (now my mouth's watering at the thought - strange!) My sister was worried about this, as when she was pregnant, baths always brought on strong braxton hicks, even from quite early on. I also had hot baths when pregnant with DD though, and she's perfect .
I wonder what the next set of restrictions they invent for pregnancy will be? Notice how it's never stuff like 'avoid cooking' or 'don't do housework' or 'be treated like a godess by all'!

Hi there I think that hot baths are thought to maybe contribute to prem babies or worse still a stillbirth, I think it means very hot baths, not sure how this causes these problems, maybe the temp in the womb rises from the hot water, and this might affect the baby, Check with your midwife. I had hot baths cause it was the only thing Iwas comfortable doing in the last few weeks of my recent pregnancy. Hope this helps

Used DD's bath thermometer yesterday and bath temp is only 40 which doesn't seem too hot does it? Will check with midwife at my booking-in appt. Thanks for everyone's comments.