The final word on baths during pregnancy!

[LucyT87]

Hi all, I'm 17wks into my first pregnancy and am completely confused about the baths/hot water situation. Has anyone really looked into it or had experience?

Context: I LIVE for a relaxing bath. In a world of unhealthy 'highs', it is my real wellness thing that I cherish after a hard day at work, or as a treat on a night in. I have a whole ritual around it and one of those bath trays with candles and a slot for your drink/mug. I'm obsessed.

But some of the pregnancy guidance put the fear of god into me about being in water over 37 degrees, so I avoided it for the first 12 weeks. Since then I've been trying to get some clarity on what IS okay: since I'm not doing much socially, not drinking and not eating some of my favourite foods, I really feel like I should be able to have a simple bath. The first midwife I had an appt with was quite blase about it and said 'Oh do have them, just make sure they're not so hot your skin goes red' which is way different than the 37 degrees thing (that's pretty tepid).

Did anyone have hot-ish baths, not crazy hot, during their pregnancies and then not have any problems? I feel like my mum's generation was happily bathing away but we've now all overthought it, haha. Some pregnant women I know haven't even heard of this restriction. Love to crowdsource your thoughts and know whether I am denying myself something that would really ease my mental health during pregnancy for no good reason. Thank you!

I had a lot of baths during pregnancy and it was fine, just don't go crazy with the temperature as others have said.

I had lots of hot baths when I was pregnant. Obviously not uncomfortably hot.

I am living evidence that very hot baths and far too much gin do not harm the baby.

Loads of baths. Some fairly hot not scalding. 2 very healthy births and babies

I had loads of baths when pregnant, never checked the temp but they will have been more than 37 as I check the temp for my daughters bath now and it’s not as warm as I would have. Baby is 4 weeks old and fine. I had a really hot shower every day during pregnancy as well.

Far too much Gin?!...what.

I live for hot baths too. Spent my first pregnancy deserpate for one but having Luke warm ones and showers instead. Went into labour got in the birth pool and it was so hot! I couldn’t believe it

so for my next 2 pregnancies I had hot baths, albeit not as hot as I usually do but still hot

I have them pretty hot x

I'm so glad I stumbled upon this thread. I'm a bit late to the party at 30 weeks but the odd bath I've had at 37 degrees this pregnancy has been utter shit. Think I'll turn the heat up a bit after reading this and actually enjoy myself 😂

I spent my life in the bath pregnant. I even got to 8cm dilated in the bath. I wish I could have had a water birth as I love them so much.

OP have a dry run, I got stuck in our bath and had to do some imaginative moves to get on my hands and knees to then get out!
wish I’d tried it with clothes on and no water first! It’s easy to get in, apart from that go for it

It was how desperate women tried to end pregnancies. It didn't work for my mother - hence I was born in 1960!

I am 6 months into my second pregnancy and had hot baths throughout both.

I think as long as your not sat in a BOILING hot bath for hours on end, you'll be fine.

I found keeping a door/ window open helped keep the room cooler and also have a cold glass of water to sip on.

Be mindful of the temp (just not crazy crazy hot) and you'll be fine

Sorry! I thought you were currently pregnant and we're drinking Gin. My mistake x

I agree with the thermometer idea. I found that when my bath measured 37 degrees, it was too hot for me anyway (pregnant or not).

Baths cool down. It's all fine. Had one every day in both pregnancies.

Exactly this. Thank you so much everyone. I've been missing out but will really enjoy my slightly hotter baths now.

Just 5 short months until I can have my bubble bath beverage of choice though... An ice cold vodka martini 🤪