Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Hot baths

38 replies

Mum2oneds · 15/08/2017 00:42

I've read so many conflicting stories r.e hot baths.
So can we have them or not. My mixer tap is set at 38 then it's one push the red button in and can get hotter. I used to have it on 45.but now just over 38 which to me is cold.
Altho I'm not convinced it's actually as hot as it says it is as DS too runs his at over 38.

I have read that u have to be careful If u have high blood pressure with hot baths.
Mines normal so wondering if is ok

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
ScotsLamb · 15/08/2017 07:08

Get a thermometer and see. I love roasting baths and hot tubs. I bought a thermometer and avoid the bath being over 40 degrees, make sure I'm not sweating in it and usually have my arms out. Anything over 40 degrees is too hot.
I thought the recommendations were made to prevent you over hearing as that's what baby can't cope with.

Outbackshack · 15/08/2017 07:41

I had boiling baths throughout. Just can't cope with cold baths and my blood pressure is very healthy. Bump was always out of the bath anyway

justshruggingreally · 15/08/2017 07:54

I also had constant piping hot baths throughout pregnancy, they were the only thing that kept me sane! Got really into putting in magnesium salts (cheap from home bargains) or a bath bomb as a treat too, lovely

clarebear1983 · 15/08/2017 13:31

Hot baths have been linked with up to 3 times the risk of birth defects including spinal and brain defects.

So if you can't live without them then by all means take the risk but if you can't go without sacrificing some of life's little luxuries for the next 9 months you're gonna have one hell of a time for the next 18 years!!

Original poster
Mum2oneds · 15/08/2017 13:42

Wow didn't realise that. Will definitely have cooler ones. X

OP posts:
Freezingwinter · 15/08/2017 13:43

Clare bear where did you get that info? I'd like to read through IT.

kingofthemingers · 15/08/2017 13:44

Hot baths have been linked with up to 3 times the risk of birth defects including spinal and brain defects.

Do you have a link for this? Sounds like bollocks.

PsychoPumpkin · 15/08/2017 13:46

I always had hot baths in my pregnancies, 3 healthy, full term babies.

Freezingwinter · 15/08/2017 13:48

I'm also a little confused as the majority of development happens before 12 weeks anyway. So how can having hot baths in the second and third trimester cause spinal defects?

kingofthemingers · 15/08/2017 13:49

I had very hot baths regularly after 12 weeks and it was fine. Baths don't maintain their temperature like jacuzzis etc do.

krakentoast · 15/08/2017 13:54

I'd also like to read this study.

If all pregnant women took the "why risk it" approach to absolutely everything that people say is a risk, they'd just stay in bed eating barely anything for 9 months. And even then they'd be told they needed to eat more and do some exercise.

Getting your head around managing risk and making decisions based on the best information available is good preparation for being a parent. Denying yourself baths for no reason is not.

mummabubs · 15/08/2017 15:26

I've yet to read a peer-reviewed journal article that verifies the 3x risk of defects, although I've heard this touted a lot on the internet. There's nothing on the NHS website to suggest to avoid them, and they do mention hot tubs. Personally I avoided hot baths in the first trimester (just had the occasional cool one with bump out), went off them completely in the second trimester due to sickness and discomfort and now I'm 32 weeks I'll happily have a hot (not scalding) bath whenever I feel like it. My baby hasn't been identified as having any defects and my mum had really hot baths all the way through her 3 pregnancies as she was never told otherwise and we're all fine too!

I'm all for following evidence-based advice but I've yet to see anything convince me that a hot bath (especially in later stages of pregnancy) can cause any significant harm to baby if you're not overheating yourself??

ScotsLamb · 15/08/2017 21:09

So I go to "Debunking the Bump" out again. They have a section on hot tubs which tend to be warmer and a more consistent temperature than baths so potentially more likely to have an impact. Book says there is a very low risk and that we are sensitive enough to our own body temperature to instinctively get out of a hot environment before it causes harm.
Talking about heat etc 95% of preferably women in Finland continue to use saunas and they have one of the lowest neural tube defects rate in the world.

WhatWouldGenghisDo · 15/08/2017 21:18

Most of the birth defect evidence is based on mice since you obviously can't test the theory out on pregnant women. There is some observational evidence in humans based on hot tub use. But the risk is specifically of neural tube defects so once you're out of the first trimester there's nothing to worry about.

As pp says, baths might not be hot enough anyway as they cool down quite quickly and so don't succeed in raising your body temperature in the way hot tubs / saunas do.

So based on the evidence: definitely avoid hot tubs and saunas in 1st trimester. Avoid really hot baths if you want to be cautious. Once you're into 2nd trimester do what the hell you like (as long as it doesn't make you feel ill) Smile

Anban · 15/08/2017 21:29

Currently sat in a lovely bath at 6'4 weeks. Lovely and relaxing with a lush bath bomb... All that is missing is a glass of wine Grin

RedStripeLassi · 15/08/2017 21:33

I used to freak out at this and could never truly enjoy a hot bath but really it's fine. Enjoy!!

Cupcakegirl13 · 15/08/2017 21:46

38 weeks here with no 3 and have always enjoyed hot tubs and hot baths throughout all pregnancies with no issues

applebags · 16/08/2017 23:26

WhatWouldGenghisDo I've now got visions of pregnant mice having jacuzzis in the name of science! I know animal testing isn't nice etc but that's tickled me!

Original poster
Mum2oneds · 16/08/2017 23:29

Lmao tickled me too.

OP posts:
WhatWouldGenghisDo · 17/08/2017 10:31

Sadly there's no evidence they got a pregnancy massage thrown in

moggle · 17/08/2017 10:57

My midwife said it depends on the person, and if it is hot enough to make your skin red it is too hot for the baby, to stay in more than a few mins. Unfortunately that counts me out of anything over about 39! I can't deal with heat. If you can then your body is better at regulating your temp and the baby will be less affected. I'd avoid them before 12 weeks though, or drop the temp a bit. I don't think you need to go as low as 38.

You can't compare rates of neural tube defects without looking at folic acid consumption as that'll have a much bigger effect. They may fortify flour and bread in Finland.

Natsku · 17/08/2017 15:45

Talking about heat etc 95% of preferably women in Finland continue to use saunas and they have one of the lowest neural tube defects rate in the world

Yup, I'm in Finland and the midwife advised me to continue going to sauna as normal. The medical council or whatever it is here that issues advice found issues with the research on heat and spinal cord defects for instance some of the women had had fevers which is a much more likely cause of issues (as that raises core body temperature)

Natsku · 17/08/2017 15:48

so don't succeed in raising your body temperature in the way hot tubs / saunas do

Actually did an experiment with the sauna to see if it did raise my body temperature - no more than half a degree and that after long sessions at over 80C

Hopelass · 17/08/2017 15:59

I had hot baths in both my pregnancies after 12 weeks and all was well. I can't stand warm baths and I had pelvic girdle pain which a hot bath helped to relieve.

TiffanyAtBreakfast · 17/08/2017 16:02

I saw my midwife yesterday and she said just use your brain and don't have it piping hot, but having a comfortably warm bath is a non issue.