Hot Tub During Late Pregnancy

Expert ReviewedHow to Take a Bath When Pregnant Two Parts:Preparing to Take a BathGetting Comfortable in the BathCommunity Q&A Most pregnant women are advised by their doctor not to take very hot baths, as soaking in very hot water could reduce blood flow to the baby, and put the baby under stress. Spending too much time soaking in very hot water, over an hour or so, could also increase your risk of a vaginal infection.[1] But taking a bath in warm water is usually safe for you and baby, and can help with swollen arms and legs, increase the amniotic fluid in your body, and give you a chance to soak and relax. Have someone available to help you get in and out of the tub. Make sure the water is no warmer than 98 degrees Fahrenheit. A bath that is too hot can lead to possible health issues and complications, so keep the bathwater warm but not scalding hot. Check the water with a thermometer to confirm the temperature is no higher than 98 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have to "ease in" to the bath, it's too hot.

Let it cool off or add some cold water. Use a bath mat and a towel to avoid slipping hazards. Prepare for your bath by laying down a bath mat by the tub and keeping fresh towels close by. This will cut down on slipping or tripping hazards as you get in and out of the tub. Look for a plastic mat with grips that will stick to the bathroom floor. Use adhesive plastic grips at the bottom of the tub to help you retain traction while bathing. Add epsom salts and apple cider vinegar to the water. To create a calming soak, you can add a few tablespoons of epsom salts and a ¼ cup apple cider vinegar to the water. According to health specialists, these natural substances will not harm your baby or affect your pregnancy. Limit bubble baths to twice a month. Regardless of being pregnant, taking too many bubble baths a month can lead to vaginal irritation and infections. Limit your use of bubble bath when taking a bath while pregnant, and avoid using bubble bath more than twice a month.

Soak for no more than one hour. Avoid staying in the bath for more than one hour to cut down on your risk of infection. Enjoy a one hour soak to ease swollen limbs and relax your pregnant body. Allow someone to help you get out of the tub.
Yellow Balloon ShadeRather than risk tripping or falling, especially when wet, ask your partner or a family member for help before getting out of the tub.
Wedding Gown Rental Phoenix Az Use a fresh towel to wipe off to avoid slipping on the bathroom floor.
Fixing Wet Laminate Flooring While bathing is fine, getting in hot tubs is not advised while you're pregnant. Hot tubs can raise your body temperature to levels that may unsafe for your developing baby.No, your eyes don’t deceive you. We are giving you permission to indulge in that one-time pregnancy no-no: the bath.

“As long as the water temperature doesn’t get too hot and you keep your soaks to approximately 10 minutes, you can bathe until the day you deliver,” says Taaly Silberstein, M.D., an obstetrician-gynecologist in Tarzana, Calif. “Let’s face it: At the end of the day, when your back is killing you, a bath is just the best thing,” says Michelle Ornstein, an aromatherapist and owner of Enessa Aromatherapy Wellness Spa in Los Angeles. Of course, to make the experience truly pampering, turning on the tap isn’t enough; you’ve got to set the mood. (See the five steps for luxurious bathing, beginning at right.) Bathing with your baby is another sublime pleasure — but make sure that another adult is home in case you need help getting in and out of the tub. You’ll love the sweet intimacy of it, and your baby will love the sensation of floating in the water. (Just don’t let go of him!)1 Set the mood: Dim the lights, place a few lightly scented candles around the bathroom, put on a soothing CD and find a comfy neck pillow.2 Draw the bath.

For safety’s sake, make sure the water is warm, not hot. “Climbing into steamy water during the first trimester has been known to cause birth defects such as spina bifida,” explains Silberstein. Needless to say, hot tubs are out. But warm water — anything up to your normal body temperature of 98.6° F — is safe and, of course, indulgent.3 Add your favorite bubble bath or oil to the water. While bath oils are permissible during pregnancy, they may make the tub slippery — so use caution when getting in and out. And beware of bath salts. “I don’t recommend anything with Dead Sea salts,” says Ornstein. “They have such a high mineral content that they can actually heat up the water and increase your heart rate.”4 Massage your feet and ankles. (Or get someone else to do it!) To exfoliate your skin, use a granulated scrub.5 Apply a rich body lotion after you towel off.Bringing your baby into the tub with you can be a wonderful bonding experience. And once they get used to it, babies love to be cradled in the bath.

An important caveat, however: Do not immerse your newborn in water until the umbilical-cord area is completely healed. (In fact, your baby really only needs a sponge bath every few days for the first six weeks.) Another tip: When you’re ready to bathe together, choose a time when you’re relaxed and unrushed so you can both enjoy it. For your own happy (and safe) mommy-baby bath, follow these simple steps:1 Place soap, a washcloth and towels on the edge of the tub or within easy reach. Draw the bath, making sure that the water is warm, not hot.2 Use only sensitivity-tested, baby-specific products in the water and on your baby. “A baby’s skin is very effective at absorbing whatever is placed on it,” says Lawrence Frank Eichenfield, M.D., chief of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at Children’s Hospital and Health Center in San Diego.3 Get in the tub with your baby or have someone hand him to you after you’re in. Cradle him in your arms while you wash and play with him. Sing and talk to him and make some faces.4 Rinse him well (a crucial step), hand him out of the tub to your partner or another adult, towel yourself off and dry your baby.