Pregnancy & Baby 
PregnancyConcernsBathing
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Bathing

by Peg Plumbo

question
I am 29 and trying to get pregnant for the first time. I know that women should not use a Jacuzzi or sauna during the first trimester, but what about a bath? If a bath is acceptable, how warm should the water be?

answer
Although it makes sense to theorise that rapidly dividing embryonic tissues might be adversely affected by heat, human studies have never demonstrated a clear cause and effect.

Research from Finland, where women use the sauna throughout pregnancy, shows no associated increase in the incidence of foetal anomalies.

Humans, to a great extent, are protected from the effects of heat by regulatory mechanisms in the skin and glands. It has been shown that saunas, Jacuzzis and exercise do not raise the core body temperature by any more than 0.9 degrees C. after 20 minutes.

We cannot be sure so we recommend that women don’t use Jacuzzis during pregnancy. They can become prone to heat exhaustion and dizziness during pregnancy, which is more likely to have detrimental effects for them than for the baby.

Baths, because we generally do not totally immerse ourselves and the water would cool as use continues, are perfectly okay for any time in pregnancy. If the water is comfortable for you to sit in, it is safe.

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