Are hot baths dangerous?

[PembsLass]

I've been told that hot baths are bad news when you are pregnant, but why?

Causes the capillaries in your bum to swell up,for one thing- not good if you are constipated or have piles, which are both quite common in pregnancy. Not a very glamorous response, but hey-ho!

the effect on the placenta isn't known
you are not meant to raise your body temp while pg and being in a hot bath does

(ps I still do it sometimes - am addicted )

Don't worry - I've had loads of hot baths - have been so ill this pregnancy with colds and flu and a hot bath (not tepid warm - proper nice and hot) was the only thing to make me feel better - and everything is fine with my bubs.

I checked it with my GP - she said it was absolutely fine. The risk is more to do with the Mum feeling faint and light headed.

Just going to re-iterate the faintness thing after a hot bath. I really scared myself by nearly passing out after having a rather too hot shower at about 3 months pregnant. I knew it was a bit overly warm but was rather enjoying it, then when I got out felt very dizzy and sat with head between knees for ages, then everything went black and I had to lie down.

So just be careful ...

I think the heat raises your blood pressure and can make you feel light-headed and dizzy and not god for baby.

Saying that, I can't resist a hot bath either! Just make sure I don't stay in there too long to get faint!

I agree with the comments about the dizzy/ light headedness.

This was on of the first things that made me question pregnancy. I felt very hot and dizzy at the gym but didnt think much of it but when later that evening i almost passed out in the shower ( hot one- Just the way i like them!) it made me wonder.

I still enjoy hot showers but am more aware of when enoughs enough and its time to get out.

Its because it can cause contractions and induce labour, its something that lots of people try when the baby is overdue. I have always had really hot baths but have turned the temp down slightly just in case.

The concern with very hot soaks is that they may raise your core body temperature, rather like having a fever does, and that at ceertain stages of pregnancy this may be connected to congenital problems. It is known that fevers may cause problems in the development of the foetus, but AFAIK the rest is conjecture, not proven.