how hot can I have my bath (very early pregnancy)

[BellaBear]

I usually have scaldingly hot baths (my skin goes bright pink, it's fab) but I understand that's not such a good idea at 5 weeks. Is it safe to have a bath at all hot or would it have to be lukewarm? (if so not much point for me). Or is this a ridiculous question completely?

Hi Bella

Sorry to hear about your prev MC. In my experience, I found the first trimester harder - as you say, you are not thinking as clearly as normal and I was so tired it was untrue. The 'cloud' lifted for me at around 12 weeks and I really started to enjoy my pregnancy. You're not paranoid at all - the first trimester is pretty tough in my opinion for anyone. And there is so much info about what not do to - it becomes a little tiring. Now that I am 24 weeks, I am looking forward to being able to sleep on my stomach again!! And yes....hot baths too. Although not sure how many hot baths/ how much sleep I will get once little one is here!

Bella - congratulations! Really pleased to see you on pregnancy thread, when are you due?

thanks dal21!

fleacircus - long time no thread crossover! Due early feb, but still wary of thinking that far ahead. Feels very different this time, much more positive. How are you doing?

Thanks for this post BellaBear! I'm in a similar situation. I'm 6 weeks pregnant and have had a miscarriage in the past. I was wondering about how safe baths were too! So don't feel silly!! I know how it feels to be super careful over everything with even the smallest risks!! You've helped me out with this so thanks! Congrats and good luck!!!

Definitely not a ridiculous question! The advice of my consultant was to avoid hot baths, or getting too hot in general, particularly in the first trimester. Pregnant women should avoid jacuzzis, saunas or steam rooms. Anything that raises the core body temp should be avoided.

It's all well and good to say 'just relax' but medical advice is available and is there for a reason! It is not daft for someone to want to follow medical advice, even if you don't want to.

You can have it as hot as you like. contrary to previous posts there is no evidence at all linkung hot baths to mc. They is some fairly flumsy evidence to suggest that raising core body temp significantly at very particular stages slightly increases the risk of neural tube defects, but you dont get much raise in core body temp from a home bath, for several reasons.
The only real reason to avoid getting very hot in saunas and baths is you do have an increased risk of fainting due to pregnancy, and because it may make you feel sick or dizzy. Thsts why the offucial guidelines are there, not because of any other percieved risks that people assume.

In a nutshell, you can have your baths as hot and as often as you personally feel comfortable with.

And why the hell wouldn't you have a hot bath if you were I'll malory?!

Zombie thread!

I see this is an old post, but thank you for asking this. I'm 6weeks, love a very hot bath and have had previous MC's, so worrying about everything and trying to avoid anything that could possibly be even the slight risk. Hope all is well with you x

Thank you OP, I've needed this post to advise me I've been in agony first trimester and so a hot bath (hotish) is what I need... Mind settled 🙏 xx

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I just found out I'm having my first child and i'm going to be a single mum. I know it sounds silly as there are loads of single mums out there. I guess I expected a different reaction from the dad. I feel a little bit blue. Sorry guys just feel like I needed to tell someone how I felt.