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

Original poster

Baths during pregnancy?

22 replies

Waterfountain97 · 07/04/2018 21:32

So I'm 26 weeks and only showered throughout pregnancy as I just preferred them but now as weeks are going on I'm suffering with restless legs every night to the point I'm not sleeping and becoming very emotional but basically my mum told me to avoid baths and if I do have one be in it for only 10 mins? I understand don't have it to hot that's just common sence but what's 10 mins going to benefit my legs and aching muscles 😫 Please tell me she's being ridiculous and I can have a nice relaxing bath without 'rushing' out 🙄 She's had 6 baby's so I feel I HAVE to take her advice ?

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isthismummy · 07/04/2018 21:36

I've not read anything about having to have short baths, just that they should be warm rather than hot.

You'll be fine op. Hope it helps with the restless legsSmile

Savingtheworldb4bedtime · 07/04/2018 21:39

I've never heard of only having a ten minute bath, I had long baths (not to hot) throughout my pregnancy. Some people don't have showers how are they meant to get fully clean in ten minutes.. And people go swimming, I can't understand why she'd say don't have a bath longer than ten minutes, just do it if your really concerned ask your mid wife at your next appointment but I imagine she'll look at you like you've gone mad.

Original poster
Waterfountain97 · 07/04/2018 21:40

@isthismummy
I know this sounds ridiculous but like I said I've not bathed during this pregnancy just showered so how do I know if it's to hot for baby or how do I get temp just right ? Sorry I know I sound like a child but don't want to do damage

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Original poster
Waterfountain97 · 07/04/2018 21:41

@Savingtheworldb4bedtime
I looked at my mum like she was mad also! she's abit dramatic bless her but as a first time pregnancy I believe anything I hear ! ( silly me I know ) and just needed to check if she was stating facts or not😂 But thankyou

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Namelessnumbertwo · 07/04/2018 21:41

As long as it's not too hot for you your baby will be fine. The advice is more about making sure you don't faint in the bath due to it being too hot.

I've had more baths during this pregnancy than in my whole life (I'm not really a bath person). But having 15 mins to lie down and wash my hair was far nicer than standing up for that time!

thebookeatinggirl · 07/04/2018 21:44

I spent sooo much time in the bath during the later stages of both my pregnancies. It was my relaxing me time and I loved it. Not too hot but nice and deep. Both babies moved LOADS when I lay in the water. I remember those times with great fondness, hands on my belly feeling and seeing the babies move. Do it!

hoopdeloop · 07/04/2018 21:45

It’s to do with the temperature but as long as you aren’t boiling yourself, you’ll be grand, google will tell you safe temperatures!

Dinosaursdontgrowontrees · 07/04/2018 21:45

Wow with my first pregnancy I spent most of my time in the bath, had two a day most days both lasting at least an hour. Grin

windchimesabotage · 07/04/2018 21:46

Youd have to be very very very hot for it to effect your baby... like hot enough to be sweating and passing out! And the risk even then is only really an issue in the first trimester.

Your mum has probably heard the old wives tale (well I suppose it could work but it would be hard to stay in a bath hot enough for long enough) of women trying to get rid of their babies by having hot baths and drinking gin!

I have had long hot baths (not hot enough to sweat or be uncomfortable) throughout both my pregnancies with no issues at all.

Original poster
Waterfountain97 · 07/04/2018 21:46

@Namelessnumbertwo
Okay perfect thankyou , sitting here waiting for replies before I run myself that needed bath ! If I don't fill the whole tub up so only a little my belly my be completely submerged so that should help me stay cool also and have the window open for some fresh cold air maybe ? Sorry if I sound crazy the things my mum was saying have scared me !

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Flymetothemoon18 · 07/04/2018 21:47

I remember with my youngest son enjoying a lovely warm bubble bath and when it came to getting out I pulled a muscle in my side and suffered horrendously with it for the remainder of my pregnancy. The doc said it’s probably cause the water relaxed my body and softened the muscles so the awkwardness of getting up and out with a pretty big bump caused it to pull easier. I’m pregnant again and where we live don’t have a shower so that’s on my ohs to do list as I’m not risking that again. Could you not get a small plastic stool to sit on in the shower maybe to take the weight off your legs? I think this is what I will be looking to do

Original poster
Waterfountain97 · 07/04/2018 21:48

Thankyou for al your replies everyone I now feel comfortable enough to have a warm bath and not guilty 😂 I will make sure room is cool with a window open as it's a small room and gets hot fast so that should keep temp in their down also

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Savingtheworldb4bedtime · 07/04/2018 21:49

@Waterfountain97 sorry if I sounded blunt, I was just confused I love baths haha. I was exactly the same with my first I'm having my second and I would still probably question what someone has said especially mum. I think the rule on hot baths is that you don't turn red and can get straight in it without having to slowly lower yourself in it. Now go enjoy a nice long soak 😊

Graphista · 07/04/2018 21:50

Long as it's not too hot you'll be fine I bathed throughout pregnancy (interesting getting me out in later stages though Grin) as we didn't have a shower.

I also swam regularly.

The 10 mins is in relation to hot tubs which is not the same.

Justanotherzombie · 07/04/2018 21:53

Oh for the love of Christ. Is there no end to the shite people will try to impart as ‘what you shouldn’t do’ knowledge to pregnant women.

Do whatever you feel is ok, without influence of old wives tales.

Pennywhistle · 07/04/2018 21:54

I was really sick during my pregnancy and a nice bath was one if the things that helped me feel better. My consultant said it’s fine as longs as it’s not very hot.

One thing to be careful of is balance getting in and out.

I had to give baths up as I got bigger as I couldn’t get in an out the bath in my own (twin pregnancy and at your stage I looked full term)

Get used to taking your Mum’s advice calmly, politely and then doing your own thing. Views on baby and child care have moved on a lot since we were small - you’ll probably do lots of things you Mum didn’t do and vice versa.

babydreamer1 · 07/04/2018 21:55

The advice is not to increase your core temperature, hence the 10 minute rule. So you can either have a hotter bath for 10 mins or one at 38 degrees for as long as you like.

GummyGoddess · 07/04/2018 22:04

Are you still pretty flexible? I've only had an issue getting out of the bath past 30 weeks when I've hurt my foot, but a colleague insists that she got stuck in one for hours!

I don't like baths but DC suddenly went through a phase of hating them so I had to get in with him for a few weeks. Lots of fun with a huge belly!

pinkpeter · 07/04/2018 22:14

Don't know about baths, but eat lots of bananas to help with restless legs

PrimeraVez · 08/04/2018 06:36

Surely as long as the water isn't so hot that it will make you ill, then it's no different to going swimming (highly encouraged during pregnancy) or a water birth (again, very popular!)

becky114 · 08/04/2018 06:51

Thanks for this thread as I was also nervous about having baths in first trimester, may still wait for second trimester though. Those old wives tales get in your head and when you have been trying to get pregnant naturally for over 3 years and the only thing that got you there was IVF your don't wanna tempt fate xxxx

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