Hot tub and pregnancy, can I use a hot tub while pregnant?
You can use a hot tub while pregnant, but only when you feel relaxed and confident in doing so. You should not use a hot tub at high temperatures during the first trimester. Also, lowering the water temperature to 90 – 94 degrees Fahrenheit and spending no more than 10 minutes in the spa is recommended. Always check with your medical professional for the best advice on using a hot tub while pregnant.
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If you’re accustomed to enjoying your hot tub regularly, you may wonder if it is safe to do so while you are pregnant.
A few months ago, a friend wondered if she could use a hot tub while pregnant.
I decided to do some research and put this article together. First, it’s important to note that I’m not a doctor. Always check with your medical professional about using a hot tub while pregnant for the best advice.
This article will discuss the hot tub and pregnancy recommendations of medical experts so that you can adjust your hot tub use accordingly during pregnancy.
Let’s get started!
Can You Go In a Hot Tub When Pregnant?
You can go in a hot tub while pregnant, but only when you feel relaxed and confident in doing so. It is not recommended to use a hot tub at high temperatures during the first trimester. Lowering the temperature of the water will allow for a better hot tub experience. In addition, experts recommend that you exit a hot tub immediately if you start to feel faint. Always ask your medical professional for their best advice about using a hot tub during pregnancy.
Medical Doctor Robyn Horsager-Boehrer talks about how using a hot tub during the first trimester could be detrimental to a baby’s health. You can read more of her article here.
If you start to feel too hot, you should also get out of the hot tub as soon as possible. The regulatory systems in your body can do an excellent job of keeping your temperature constant under different circumstances. However, if you start to struggle, you’ll notice yourself feeling very hot and not cooling down.
Some pregnant women may even feel slightly nauseous or have a slight headache if they get too warm for an extended time. All of these are signs that you need to get out of the hot tub right away and allow your body to cool down.
If you feel lightheaded while you’re in a hot tub, it is an indication that you’re overheating.
Is Avoiding a Hot Tub During Pregnancy a Myth or Fact?
Avoiding a hot tub during pregnancy is not just a myth. It’s a word of caution that’s based on fact. Just as women can run, train for physical competition, and carry out most of their other regular activities during pregnancy, everything should be done with caution.
When a woman tells other people that she’s pregnant, she usually gets well-meaning advice. For example, one thing she might be suggested is avoiding hot tubs during pregnancy.
The warning to be cautious with hot tubs during pregnancy is one that you should carefully consider.
Your body is designed to regulate itself. Several systems have been engineered to help control all physiological processes at different temperatures, which affect hot tub and pregnancy use.
For example, when someone gets too warm, blood flow to the skin increases so that the excess heat can be passed on to the air around their body. This process occurs without your conscious control.
Whether a pregnant woman lives in Alaska or the hottest parts of Egypt, her body will be automatically regulated by carefully designed mechanisms. Despite that, you should be cautious with hot tubs.
Hot tubs can help you burn calories if used correctly, check out our article on the subject for more information.
Another great way to monitor your health is the Withings Body+ Smart Scale which will monitor your body weight, body fat, BMI, water percentage, muscle, bone mass, and pregnancy tracker.
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Learn MoreWhat Should a Pregnant Woman Do If She Feels Faint In A Hot Tub?
Suppose you feel faint while in a hot tub. Let someone near to you in the tub know so that they can watch out for you. Don’t use the spa by yourself. If you’re leaving the hot tub, have someone assist you so that if you suddenly feel faint, they are there to help.
Suppose you live alone and are using your hot tub while pregnant. Keep your phone with you. That way, if you feel uncomfortable, you can call someone and let them know to check on you. It’s better to do that than take chances. If you are feeling unsteady, you could fall or have an emergency in the hot tub and be unable to get help any other way.
When you feel a little better, you can drink cold water. Stay in a well-ventilated area until your body cools down sufficiently.
Dizziness is expected in weeks 0 to 13 of pregnancy, but there are situations in which you will need to get medical help. For example, if you are in the hot tub and notice that you have pain in your chest or shortness of breath along with dizziness, you should get medical help.
Pain in your tummy is also an indication that you should seek medical assistance. Likewise, if you’re in the hot tub and your heartbeat speeds up or becomes irregular, you should also seek medical attention promptly.
Why Are Hot Tubs Bad for Pregnancy?
Hot tubs, saunas, and pregnancy all carry a risk of overheating and dehydration, leading to hyperthermia. This is because when you’re using a hot tub, your body won’t be able to use sweating to help you cool down. This could result in maternal hyperthermia, which could harm the developing child.
Usually, when you sweat, evaporation of water from the surface of your skin helps to cool you down. Unfortunately, if you’re enjoying sitting in a hot tub, that won’t be effective, so your body will only be able to use other cooling methods like drinking cold water.
If you want to go into a steam room or a hot tub, you should only spend a few minutes enjoying yourself and then take a break.
If you’re doing a workout class in water like an indoor pool, you’ll notice that the temperature is kept relatively low. For example, the water for pregnant women is set at temperatures below 89 degrees Fahrenheit.
Using Hot Tub 4 Weeks Pregnant
The first weeks of pregnancy are when you should use the most significant level of caution. It’s recommended not to use a hot tub during the first several weeks of pregnancy. If you use a hot tub in the first trimester, lower the temperature closer to 89 degrees Fahrenheit.
Maternal hyperthermia during the first weeks of pregnancy has been linked to medical disorders for developing babies. Maternal hyperthermia is considered a human teratogen. That is, it can alter the growth or structure of your baby as they grow. Therefore, it is better to avoid using hot tubs, saunas, and other high-temperature treatments during the weeks when your baby’s organs are being formed.
Using a hot tub at lower temperatures should resolve this problem. Ask your medical professional for their recommendation about using a hot tub during pregnancy.
For more information on maternal hyperthermia, check out this great article.
Hot Tubs and Pregnancy 3rd Trimester
You can use hot tubs during your third trimester of pregnancy. However, it would be best to be careful. It is recommended that you avoid spending longer than 10 minutes in the hot tub. Also, lowering the water temperature closer to 90 – 94 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended. Always check with your medical professional for the best advice on using a hot tub while pregnant.
Ideally, it would be best if you also lowered the hot tub’s temperature far below its typical temperature. Aim for around 90 – 94 degrees Fahrenheit. This is warm but is unlikely to have a detrimental effect on your baby. However, even at low temperatures, you should still not spend more than 10 minutes in the hot tub to be safe.
If you have high blood pressure or know someone that does and wants to use a hot tub, check out our article for more information.
If you’re looking for a high-quality blood pressure monitor, I recommend the Lazle Blood Pressure Monitor.
Safe Hot Tub Temperature for Pregnancy
A safe hot tub temperature for pregnancy is between 90 and 94 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re pregnant, a hot tub set at 90 degrees is much safer than one at 98 degrees. The general rule is the cooler, the better. Always consult your medical professional for the best advice on using a hot tub while pregnant.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that pregnant women should not let their core body temperature go above 102.2 degrees. The Consumer Product Safety Commission in the U.S. gives an even lower recommendation of 100 degrees. So to keep yourself safe and account for any unforeseen problems, it’s best to aim for a temperature of between 90 and 94 degrees. A cooler hot tub may feel a little different, but you still benefit from the jets and the relaxation.
Anyone can become dehydrated or overheated from being in a hot tub. However, the risk is more significant for pregnant women and their unborn children.
A hot tub at 90 degrees presents less risk to a developing baby, even if the child is seven months. While you may have lowered the temperature of your hot tub, this still does not make the environment ideal. It just makes it safer than being in a hotter tub. If you can, you should avoid saunas, hot tubs, and hot showers entirely while you are pregnant due to the risk of hyperthermia and the damage that can do to your baby.
If you’re looking for a great spa robe when going out to the hot tub, I recommend this robe from Alexander Del Rossa.
If you’re looking for some great slippers to wear out to your spa, check out these memory foam slippers.
Hot Tub At 99 Degrees While Pregnant
Keeping your hot tub at 99 degrees or over while pregnant is not a good idea. Entering a hot tub at a friend’s house at 99 degrees or higher is also not a good idea. You’re taking the risk of raising your body’s core temperature above 100 degrees, which is not suitable for you or your baby. The best temperature range is between 90 and 94 degrees Fahrenheit.
Getting Into a Hot Tub While Pregnant
Even if you are entering a hot tub for just five minutes or so, you should always take additional precautions when entering and leaving the spa. For example, have someone firmly hold your arm while stepping in and out of the tub. Using anti-skid stair treads near steps is also advised.
You’ll have to be extra alert to the possibility of slipping since the area is wet. Your balance may also be unsteady because your body and weight distribution may constantly be changing. Ensure that you use non-slip surfaces around your hot tub.
It is essential to have another adult with you while using the hot tub. If you’re feeling sore, you may want to go in the hot tub even when someone else is not physically present. If another adult is in the house but cannot stay with you, keep your phone nearby so you can call them if you need to.
If you’re interested in hot tub aromatherapy, I have a number of great suggestions you can check out.
Proper Sitting Position While Using a Hot Tub During Pregnancy
If you already feel dizzy a lot more than usual during your pregnancy, you should take extra precautions. For example, experts recommend that you should keep hot tub use to a minimum if you already tend to become dizzy or feel faint. In addition, it would be best to avoid other situations where your body is subjected to extreme temperatures, such as long, very hot showers.
If you like to relax in the hot tub, you can help prevent fainting or dizziness by ensuring that you always stay hydrated. Drink a lot of fluids and eat fruits and vegetables that help to keep your body hydrated. In addition, you can do small amounts of exercise often, to improve your circulation.
If you’re interested in using your hot tub in the summer, check out our article on the subject for more information.
Hot Tub and Pregnancy: Conclusion
The idea of relaxing in a hot tub can be tempting for most pregnant women. This is especially true when you have the back pain and other soreness associated with carrying a baby for nine months straight.
However, doctors advise that women in their first trimester avoid hot tubs at regular temperatures of 98 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit altogether.
If you choose to use a hot tub while pregnant, lowering the temperature between 90 and 94 degrees Fahrenheit will allow you to still enjoy your spa without complications for your baby.
Even if you wish to consider hot tub and pregnancy use in the late stages of pregnancy, you should do so with caution.
Step carefully in and out of the hot tub and ensure that someone is with you in case of emergencies.
Do not spend more than 10 minutes in a hot tub and if you feel uncomfortable in any way, leave the hot tub immediately.
I hope you found this article on hot tub and pregnancy helpful.
Always check with your medical professional about using a hot tub while pregnant for the best advice.
If you’re experiencing folliculitis after using a hot tub, check out article on the subject for some ways to treat it.
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James Brockbank
Stop wasting time and money with hot tub maintenance and confusing water chemistry! Get Instant access to this easy-to-use book and video course so you can spend less time cleaning and more time soaking.
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