Is Bathing In Hot Water Dangerous During Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, women have to take care of little things, as ignoring one little thing can prove to be dangerous for both the mother and baby. Sometimes, the midwife tales about pregnancy has a medical logic behind them and pregnant women must take care of these little things.

One among the things is bathing during pregnancy, especially when the water is hot. It is said that you have to take care regarding bathing in hot water during pregnancy.

Hot water can dilate the blood vessels of a pregnant woman and decrease blood circulation. There can be an increased risk to the baby, if the baby receives less blood from the mother.

Hot water bathing during pregnancy can also lead to vaginal infections, bleeding and leakage of the amniotic fluid. There are many issues related to bathing during pregnancy. Hence, you must know when to bath and how to bath during pregnancy as well.

Read on the article to know if bathing in hot water is safe during pregnancy.

Is It Safe To Bath In Hot Water?

Soaking in hot water for more than 10 minutes can be dangerous for your baby. It decreases the blood flow to the baby, which can be life threatening. This can also cause vaginal infections in a pregnant lady. However, warm water bath is safe and that too not for a prolonged period of time.

Choose The Right Time To Bath

During pregnancy, your body tends to become very sensitive and bathing during the early morning or late night hours can be harmful for you and your baby. This can drastically alter your body temperature or invite many infections. Choose a proper time during the day when the body is ready for bathing in a shower or whenever you feel comfortable to take a bath.

Avoid Bathing In A Hot Tub

Bathing in sauna can be harmful for the baby and can stop the development of the foetus. Bathing in a hot tub can also lead to vaginal bleeding or amniotic fluid leak.

Do Not Bathe After Eating

Avoid taking a bath when you have taken your meals or when you feel you are full. This can make the blood vessels expand, and thus the blood circulation can decrease. This will also cause blood to move to the lower parts of the body and blood flow to the baby will eventually decrease. The digestion will also decrease and this can lead to a sudden low blood sugar level.

Pay Attention To The Water Temperature

The bathing water temperature must not exceed 36 degree Celsius. Also, make sure to run cold water first then run the hot water into the bathtub. Test the water temperature with your elbow or arms, as the skin in these areas is more sensitive.

Drink Water While Bathing

To avoid the risk of dehydration during bathing, keep a water bottle in the bathroom. If you are going to bath for long then you must keep sipping on some water.

Take A Bath With Your Husband

This not only relieves your stress, but also makes the bond stronger with your husband when you can't be intimate due to your pregnancy state. Bathing with your husband during pregnancy has many benefits, as you can ask him to massage your back, legs or arms to reduce your tiredness.