Pregnancy-Hot Baths

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by pagandeva2000
Nov 27, '09   Views: 1,431   Comments: 7

  1. I was reading in my old textbooks as well as some of the newer literature being given out in my OB/GYN clinic saying that a pregnant woman should avoid hot baths and saunas, but do not see the reason why. Anyone know?
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    About pagandeva2000

    Joined: Sep '05; Posts: 9,297; Likes: 8,221
    Licensed Practical Nurse; from US
    Specialty: Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health

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  3. by Whispera
    Nov 27, '09
    Occupation: working in a free clinic Specialty: psych, addictions, hospice, education ; From: US ; Joined: Jul '05; Posts: 3,711; Likes: 6,073
    I remember reading that when I was pregnant with my second child(I love hot baths). If memory serves, it was to avoid raising the temperature of the fetus. I don't know how hot the water or sauna would have to be to do this though. I like baths that are extremely hot, and redden my skin intensely. I took such baths during my first pregnancy and my son turned out ok though. I guess it's good not to take chances.
  4. by CandyGyrl1985
    Nov 27, '09
    From: US ; Joined: Dec '08; Posts: 136; Likes: 232
    Because hot hot hot water will raise internal temps.... (kind of morbid but I always thought of it like boiling a chicken.) I think the reason has something to do with the baby not being able to sweat & the heat turns up your heart rate causing stress to the baby??? But I could be wrong.

    Either way you dont want to submerge or steam in water over 100 F.
  5. by kfarinato
    Nov 27, '09
    Occupation: LTC Staff RN Specialty: LTC ; From: US ; Joined: Jun '09; Posts: 142; Likes: 64
    I know one reason is that high heat exposure may increase the risk of neural tube deficits for the fetus; there's probably more reasons.
  6. by Whispera
    Nov 27, '09
    Occupation: working in a free clinic Specialty: psych, addictions, hospice, education ; From: US ; Joined: Jul '05; Posts: 3,711; Likes: 6,073
    I'm visualizing where the fetus would be during a hot bath....while the mom is partially out of the water and can maintain a relatively stable temperature, the baby is completely submerged and would be more at risk for (pardon the word) cooking....
  7. by KneKno
    Nov 27, '09
    From: US ; Joined: Jul '08; Posts: 106; Likes: 167
    I think it just has to do with raising the mom's and therefore the fetus's temp--almost 6 years ago I was told to avoid hot showers and baths, sun bathing, saunas. Even a febrile illness can raise the chances of a neural tube defect.
  8. by nurseaid07
    Nov 28, '09
    Occupation: cna/ phlebotomist with agency Specialty: Dementia,. Alzheimer's ; From: US ; Joined: Apr '09; Posts: 50; Likes: 2
    I did not know this but it was interesting to read now I how to go and research to see how true.
  9. by Meriwhen
    Nov 28, '09
    Joined: Mar '07; Posts: 10,506; Likes: 12,983
    From what I've read in my pregnancy (non-nursing) books, it's because it increases the chance of birth defects developing.

    Personally, I love a bath where I turn on just the hot water tap, lie back and soak with a good book...so having to give that up and settle for lukewarm for 9 months was kind of rough.

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