Can You Soak in a Hot Tub During Pregnancy?
Soaking in a hot tub sounds like the perfect way to unwind after a long and stressful day. But while having a hot tub session or two during your pregnancy may sound like a relaxing idea, there are a few things to know before you jump in. Here’s why doctors recommend rethinking plans to get in a hot tub while pregnant.
Your back is sore and your legs are aching. So can you go in a hot tub while pregnant to relieve all your bodily discomfort? Sorry to say it’s not advisable.
There are a few potential reasons you shouldn’t go in a hot tub during pregnancy; the main issue is the high temperature of the water, says G. Thomas Ruiz, MD., lead ob-gyn at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. “I’d never tell a pregnant woman to get in a hot tub that’s more than 90 degrees,” he adds.
Again, the big risk here involves the high temperature of the water. The water in hot tubs can get up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit, which is really quite high, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), some studies suggest that using saunas and hot tubs early in pregnancy—especially for long periods of time—is linked with birth defects. Your core body temperature rises when you use a hot tub, and that can be harmful for baby, ACOG explains.
It’s not just an early pregnancy issue, though. “Later in pregnancy, it becomes difficult to disperse body heat, leading to changes in blood flow that could lead to lightheadedness, fainting and rapid heartbeat for the mother and possibly decreased blood flow to the fetus as well,” says Jonathan Schaffir, MD, an ob-gyn at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Hot tubs can also contain certain bacteria like pseudomonas aeruginosa and staphylococcus aureus, which can cause skin and soft tissue infections, notes women’s health expert and ob-gyn Jennifer Wider, MD. “If the hot tub isn’t properly maintained, the warm, enclosed tub is a prime breeding ground for bacteria that can pose challenges to treat during pregnancy,” she says.
One more thing to consider, per Dr. Schaffir: The hot tub’s jets could pose a problem. “It’s potentially dangerous for water to be forcibly pushed into the vagina during pregnancy, so the use of a jacuzzi with jets that could force water into the vagina should be avoided.”
In reality, soaking in a hot tub is a pretty unique experience. But doctors say there are a few things you can do to try to mimic the feeling you get when you’re in a hot tub.
- Take a bath. “You can take a warm—but not hot—bath,” Ruiz says. “We encourage a lot of women to do that because you get so many joint and musculoskeletal pains during pregnancy.”
- Consider a prenatal massage. If your budget allows for it, a massage can also help you relax and soothe aching muscles, Ruiz says.
- Go swimming. “Floating is an excellent way of relieving pressure symptoms and soothing sore muscles during pregnancy,” Schaffir says.
Frequently Asked Questions
I didn’t realize I was pregnant and got in a hot tub—is it okay?
Doctors say it’s most likely fine. “Generally, the risk is not high if the pregnancy is so early that you don’t know you’re pregnant,” Schaffir says. “However, if you’re concerned, ask for an early ultrasound to make sure the pregnancy is progressing well.”
Can I go in a hot tub if the temperature is cool?
Technically, yes, you can go in a hot tub if the temperature is cool, but you may still want to avoid it. “There’s still the concern of germs and bacteria that may be present if the tub isn't thoroughly cleaned or maintained,” Wider says.Keeping the jets off to lower the risk that water will be pushed into your vagina is another smart idea.
Can I take a hot bath during pregnancy instead?
No, it’s not a good idea to take a hot bath during pregnancy. “The temperature for prolonged immersion should not be higher than body temperature,” Schaffir says. “However, a quick bath in warmer water is not going to raise a person's body temperature substantially and would be fine, even in pregnancy.” If you’re interested in taking a warm bath but are nervous about the heat, you can test the water with a bath thermometer, making sure that the temperature is below 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Soaking in a hot tub during pregnancy isn’t recommended, but rest assured that you’ll be able to hop back in soon enough. For now, try to find a new way to sit back, relax and decompress.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
G. Thomas Ruiz, MD, is lead ob-gyn at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. He earned his medical degree from UC Irvine School of Medicine.
Jonathan Schaffir, MD, is an ob-gyn at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He earned his medical degree from Brown University Program in Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC Warns of Hot Temperatures, December 1979
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
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