Baths, jacuzzi's etc...

[Lorrymac]

Redcrx just answered my previous email and reminded me to ask about baths - i am worried about having one because i really like hot water in a bath (i have bad circulation which i think causes it and can tolerate high heat in showers and hot water bottles on my feet etc...). anyway, in early pregnancy i read that jacuzzis and steam rooms etc are not good - is this the case throughout the pregnancy? (i know that a hot bath can help induce labour can't it?) any tips on bathing and using jacuzzis etc? my gym has one and i used to use it all the time to relax but don't anymore but would love to, especially when i get more aches and pains!

thanks again x

[B00]

Can't help with the jacuzzi part, but i love hot baths too and continued to do so throughout my pregnancy. In fact Mr Boo used to complain that I was par-boiling poor Mini Boo with each bath I had!

Not too sure about them inducing labour either, as despite being regularly par-boiled she had to be forced out at the hospital 10 days overdue.

[Lorrymac]

Boo, that really made me chuckle about the par-boiling of mini-boo! xx

[redcrx]

hi lorrymac.

as far as i know, saunas and jacuzzis are a no-no in pregnancy.

As for baths, Im a one for nice long soaks in a hot bath.

This months mother and baby magazine has a section on old wives tales and pregnancy. It mentions baths:

"Exposure to very high temps has been linked to birth defects but its unlikely that your bathwater is hot enough to do any harm. The biggest risk is that a hot bath can make you feel sick or faint. To be safe, keep your water at around 37 degrees and avoid spas and saunas"

hope this helps. you can buy a bath thermometer from boots which will tell you the temp if youre worried.

[redcrx]

lol B00, little CRX was just the same, liked my hot baths so much he had to be coaxed out at 17 days overdue lol

[B00]

Oh blimey Red- 17 days overdue??? I thought I had it bad at 10 days, you poor mare.

Did you also have to endure folk constantly saying to you "Corrr, you not had that baby yet?".....Couldn't you just smack 'em?

Ahhh, sorry Lorrymac for waffling on your thread....I'll get back on track...you continue to have the hot baths if you like, but lay off the saunas and jacuzzis, and good luck :-)

[Lorrymac]

thanks ladies! I think i will invest in a bath thermometer - no doubt it'll come in handy soon anyway! (?)

as for me, i will enjoy a long guilt free soak!!! lovely!

[redcrx]

oh yes they do come in handy for baby's bath later on.

B00, 17 days was just awful. I'd been having contractions (painless but not Braxton hicks) for 3 weeks until that point but baby wasnt in right place for them to do anything lol

They burst his bubble in the end, literally!

[natalie_1982]

Hi Lorrie, I found out I was pregnant at 8 weeks but had used the sauna and steam room at my local gym twice before I found out. I spoke to my GO about this and she said although it is advised to avoid it, she thought it probably wouldn't have done any harm. If I remember rightly (all of a few weeks ago) raised body temperature is linked to nerual defects like spina bifida, during the first 12 weeks. I dont rememberhearing that you can't use them after 12 weeks, or you'e had the ok. Probably best to check with your GP. I have an appt with my midwife tomorrow so I remember to ask I will and then I will post back on here :-)