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Q&A: Are hot tubs safe during pregnancy?

My in-laws have a hot tub. Is it totally off limits for me during pregnancy?

Re: My in-laws have a hot tub. Is it totally off limits for me during pregnancy?

The Bump Expert

Hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms all have the potential to raise your core body temperature. Early in pregnancy (around five to six weeks of gestation), increased core body temperature has been associated with fetal neural tube defects like spina bifida. Hyperthermia (temperature greater than 102 degrees Fahrenheit) has also been associated with miscarriage, fetal growth restriction and brain damage. If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, I generally recommend that you avoid immersing yourself in a hot tub.

Dr. Ashley Roman | July 09 , 2009 2:03 PM

re: Q: Hot Tubs Safe?

What about in your second and third trimester? What about the bathtub if you like it hot?

SweetieBabe | January 17 , 2008 9:14 AM

re: Q: Hot Tubs Safe?

I absolutely love taking hot baths, and my OB said not too. She said it would be the same as the hot tub, submerging yourself in hot water for an extended period of time. She also said hot showers were fine because you would be going back and forth from one side of your body to the other. I guess cooling down the other side that is not in the hot water.

liz.kwintera | January 20 , 2008 6:47 PM

re: Q: Hot Tubs Safe?

what about just luke warm baths. enough to keep you in there, but not hot enough to make you sweat?

thebysouthfamily | January 21 , 2008 5:00 PM

re: Q: Hot Tubs Safe?

I love taking hot baths as well as getting in our Hot tub. My doctor said it would be good if I got in the hot tub b/c it would help with my back and legs as long as the temp. was down to body tem. So we keep ours at 98 and its just like a warm bath but better! Its not good to let your body temp. go above 100. Hope that helps, but I would always ask your doctor first.

Starhoney | January 22 , 2008 9:26 PM

re: Q: Hot Tubs Safe?

I have heard that as long as your bpdy temp does not elivate over 100 degrees you can use a hot tub, get in a hot bath, or even us a heating pad. Just use good judgement.

staceyodiecat | February 09 , 2008 12:20 AM

re: Q: Hot tubs safe?

I've heard that while a hot tub is not really safe, most people's natural reaction is to get out of the hot tub before their temp gets too high because they feel overheated. But I supposed different people have different tolerances.

jenniejnpr | January 20 , 2009 12:49 AM

re: Q: Hot tubs safe?

My MD said if you have to ease into the water or if it turns your skin pink it's too hot and you need to let it cool down. I keep a regular old thermometer by my tub and take my bathwater's temperature before I get in- It's a little OCD of me I know, but it gives me peace of mind to know I'm not hard-boiling my baby (as J McCarthy says!). I try to keep my bath at or below 100F.

aemurrayrubin | February 25 , 2009 10:40 PM

re: Q: Hot tubs safe?

I just wanted to share with you that if you go to a spa/jacuzzi that might be used by more than a couple, there is risk of bacteria and/or getting sick. Our pool guy just drained the condo's jacuzzi because the chlorine level was very low, and he confirmed that the hot water will NOT kill all bacteria. People go in and out of these things without proper cleaning or showering and others could pay the consequences. Pregnancy is definitely NOT the time to be taking chances.

pooloolah | July 03 , 2009 8:36 PM

re: Q: Hot tubs safe?

aemurrayrubin, it's not OCD...I keep a thermometer next to the tub too! I love hot baths, and my husband always makes sure I check the temp before I get in. If it's above 100, I just wait ten minutes or so for it to cool down.

brougfa | July 05 , 2009 7:26 AM

Q&A: Are hot tubs safe during pregnancy?

no to hot tubs

amj31581 | August 17 , 2009 10:10 AM

Q&A: Are hot tubs safe during pregnancy?

It's not the type of tub that holds the water that matters--It's the temperature of the water in the tub! If you have a hot tub that lets you adjust the temperature, then set it between 98 and 100 degrees and you've just made it into a big bath tub instead of a "hot tub". Bath tubs can actually pose more danger because most people don't know the temperature of the water. If it's too hot, and you keep your arms and legs under water, then it's just like sitting in a hot tub. Leaving your arms and/or legs out of the water allows your body temperature to stay closer to normal, but you should still make sure you know the temperature of the water.

lokibella | October 11 , 2009 12:15 PM

Q&A: Are hot tubs safe during pregnancy?

my dr. said that i can go into a hot tub, just turn down the heat alittle bit!

baldwinsbride | October 13 , 2009 8:59 PM

Q&A: Are hot tubs safe during pregnancy?

Are you able to put your feet in the hot tub? I get not immersing the body, but I was curious to see if feet only in the hot tub is okay.

Sarah2046 | November 03 , 2009 10:17 AM

Q&A: Are hot tubs safe during pregnancy?

Hot tubs are okay. Not only considering the temperature. Mom's need to be under 102. But consider the cleanliness. I use my personal hot tub - I would avoid public use tubs. Mom's are at risk for fainting, my husband helps me in and out just to be careful

gemma477 | February 09 , 2010 11:41 PM

Q&A: Are hot tubs safe during pregnancy?

My midwife told me that hot tubs or anything else (sauna, steam rooms, etc.) where the heat is consistently maintained is a no-no. Baths though are fine. Keep the water at 101 or less and get out if you feel uncomfortable or hot. Since baths cool off rather quickly, the possibility of a warm (not hot) bath raises your core temperature is slim. I keep a regular thermometer near the tub to check it and my own temperature.

'mingo | February 13 , 2010 3:50 PM

Q&A: Are hot tubs safe during pregnancy?

My Midwife told me that it's okay to take hot baths, just to get out and sit on the side every 8-10 minutes to cool off. I asked her if there was a certain temp. and she said it didn't really matter.

natalieharmany | April 05 , 2010 10:31 AM

Q&A: Are hot tubs safe during pregnancy?

I took a nice, long, hot bath today because I have a cold. It felt great. And THEN I got on this message board. oops. I really, really, really hope that I didn't just give my child spina bifida.

ShineyHair | September 29 , 2010 4:00 PM

Q&A: Are hot tubs safe during pregnancy?

does anyone know about electric blankets? i don't know if the temperature gets high enough to raise your core body temperature, but i'm always cold!!!

danadane182 | October 19 , 2010 5:58 PM

Q&A: Are hot tubs safe during pregnancy?

My midwife told me that as long as your body temperature doesn't get higher than a fever (102*) then you should be fine. Set the hot tub to no hotter than 101* and you should be fine. The most important thing is hydration. Make sure you drink lots of water if you are going to get in a hot tub or sauna.

allimoo7 | November 29 , 2010 12:28 PM

Q&A: Are hot tubs safe during pregnancy?

This is more a question, I went into a hot tub a few days ago temp was 101, I usually stand up alot because I get very hot, but then I found out I was pregnant a few days after, should I be worried?

kmc0426 | February 13 , 2011 10:28 PM

Q&A: Are hot tubs safe during pregnancy?

For me, it's not worth the risk in the first trimester even to go in at a lower temperature. In the third trimester for my first, we'd turn the heat down to 100 and I'd pop in and out of the hot tub every couple of minutes.

aeshsibi | July 08 , 2011 4:11 PM

Q&A: Are hot tubs safe during pregnancy?

My dock say's absolutely not while prego...Now what do I do to relax?

JESSICA4812 | January 03 , 2012 7:44 PM

Q&A: Are hot tubs safe during pregnancy?

Maybe you should try Microdermabrasion Phoenix , who knows maybe you will enjoy it.I don't think that hot tubs are not safe because it stimulates your blood and that is not something bad.

MissyElly255 | March 20 , 2012 3:42 PM

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