Bath when pregnant?

[Motherofbabydragons]

I’m 6 weeks pregnant and love my baths! Is it an old wives tale or will I be ok if it’s not too hot? Probably a stupid question🙈

Chill. You've got 34 wks to go.

I love a hot bath and have so far produced 2 unboiled babies and have another on the way!

My dad was worried that I would 'take on water' if I had a bath when I was heavily pregnant. It still makes me laugh whenever I think about it.

Pinkyredrose yes I can count thanks👍🏻

I’m only asking as I avoided them in my last pregnancy because a friend of mine banged on about it and I’m paranoid about things, looking for a bit of support or to be constructively told I’m being dramatic lol

I worried about this with first pregnancy also-I think the technical risk is that a long soak in a hot bath could raise your core temperature and cause birth defects??
But then it occurred to me after a weeks sunbathing in France that is spent far longer being warm than I ever do in a bath... so now at 8 weeks I just relax and enjoy my bath!

I did go for baths when I was pregnant but just not really hot ones like I usually would. I know lots of people do go for really hot ones and have been perfectly fine but because it was in the back of my head I just couldn't have done it myself

I've pretty much lived in the bath the past 39 weeks and so far everything has been fine! I was worried about baths too but as long as you're not having it way too hot then pretty sure it's fine. Plus it's the perfect way to relax

I spent the last 4 weeks of pregnancy basically living in a bath while waiting for DD- the only place I could get comfy.

Yes, they are fine. Just not too hot.

The advice I've followed is that warm baths are fine, just not so hot that it's scalding when you get in. I'm planning a bath this evening, and have had them throughout pregnancy (I'm 39+1).

You have to be careful of becoming faint and slipping. It's easily done if the bath is hot. I just had mine a little cooler than normal

The concern with baths in the first 12 weeks is not bacteria, it's raising core temperature which can increase risk of miscarriage. I was told in both pregnancies (and NHS Choices website says the same) that warm baths are OK, but not hot. Since I like baths hot enough to turn me a light shade of red, I just didn't bother having baths until I was past the 12 week mark and could once again boil myself with gay abandon

Elphaba that made me giggle!

Thank you all, I will enjoy a lukewarm bath and daydream of the day I can scald myself again😂

Hot baths are amazing when pregnant. But just as you shouldn’t when NOT pregnant you shouldn’t have it boiling you. Core temp raising is an issue but you’re half out of the bath and baths cool down too quickly for it to really do much (my OB explained this to me) so honestly, just have the bath and relax

And by hot we’re talking like when we dip our toes without having to take them back out, I’m not talking about causing yourself pain

This thread brings back happy memories of lying in the bath watching the water ripple as DS kicked me. It was so magical I burst out crying

Glad u can count. How do you think mothers in hot countries manage?

My midwife couldn’t believe I asked if I could bath at my booking in appointment, she said as long as it’s not boiling and more warm then it’s not a problem

Thank you for all your helpful and kind replies-I have really bad anxiety so I appreciate the reassurance.

pinkyredrose I’m not finding your responses helpful or particularly pleasant in tone so I would rather you not comment on this post anymore, it’s of no benefit to either of us.

Thank you again ladies.

I have baths run at about 45 degrees on my taps.. And have done throughout.. Now 32 weeks. And baby's fine. I always have my belly out and extractor on so maybe it keeps temp neutral

I'm curious about this.

I have baths too, and I avoid making them scorching hot, but I'd say they are still warmer than most hot tubs and jacuzzis. I know bath water cools and hot tubs don't - but I still am sure my baths are warmer most of the time? If they get too cold I top up with warm water?

Steam rooms and saunas I unserstand as they are really hot!

Reason for question is that hot tubs etc seem to be banned at any stage of pregnancy and baths not

I had plenty of baths. Baby is fine. My most memorable bath was when I went into labour at home alone. I had to wait an hour for dh to get home. Whoever said water helps was talking shit. I've never screamed so much in my life all worth it in the end though

I lived in hot baths with my natural pregnancies (was very blasé!), am hopefully now 8 weeks with ivf, and each of the fertility clinic, GP and the EPAU were most specific about preferring showers (lower risk of infection), and avoiding hot baths (for the core temperature reason given above)

If you have a lovely strong pregnancy, then I wouldn’t give it a moment’s thought - bathe away IMO, but if you’ve had any concerns or problems, then I would go for tepid quick dips (which kind of takes all the fun out of a bath!)

Its an open forum. You don't get to dictate who relies. My replies weren't intended in the snipey way you've taken them. Jeez chill out , no offence intended.