Bath While Pregnant

A hot bath after a stressful day rejuvenates you and even relieves backaches. Pregnancy is a critical time when you are cautious about everything. Even a bath while pregnant seems a big deal.

Can I take a bath while pregnant? If that is what you are searching for, then there is not a generalized answer. Baths when pregnant are safe, but it is possible that you are not allowed to in some instances. 

Hot water aids onset of labor and your body cannot tolerate temperature fluctuations from cold water.

So, if you take some precautions, then bathing while pregnant is completely safe.

Can you take a bath when pregnant?

You can, and you must bath while pregnant. Maintaining hygiene is essential when you are pregnant (even when you are not!). Infections can spread to your baby and bathing ensures prevention of this.

Make sure that your water is not too hot because shower burns will affect the baby inside you. Never direct a powerful shower towards your vagina during pregnancy.

Sit down on a platform to bath when you are pregnant to avoid slipping. When you have a baby bump, slipping is more probable. Jolts inside bathroom are worst because you have nothing over to absorb the shock.

Bathing suits for pregnant women are available and are not a bad idea. Just make sure that you get the right one which is not baggy to make you clumpy.

Reaching out the inaccessible parts of your body because of gaining weight is already a challenge. Bathing suits for pregnant ladies prevent you from exposing your naked body to the environment for long.

Is it true pregnant women shouldn’t take a bath?

When you have a risk of miscarriage or are not showing the signs of pregnancy, your OB may tell you not to bath.

Some women fear that water the from the bathtub or vagina can enter the uterus. But such fears are unfounded. Your baby is inside a double jacket. The first layer is your body and next is the amniotic sac. 

You don’t fill up like a balloon when you bath so water doesn’t cross you. The mucus plug blocks the opening of the cervix and prevents anything from entering the uterus.

Reasons for avoiding a bath while pregnant:

1) Risk of infections

Everyone might not have access to clean water. Clean water can also have bacteria. Infections can come from anywhere and so your doctor may ask you to stop bathing for a brief period. It is possible when you have a yeast infection or any spotting.

2) Internal bleeding

When you have an internal problem such as spotting or bleeding, your body must stay warm. Bathing briefly alters the temperature of your skin surface. During implantation or any other such processes, you can avoid bathing.

3) Skin sensitivity

When you are pregnant, your skin becomes itchy and has pigmentation. Diagnosis of the irritant may require you to stop bathing while pregnant.

4) Hyperthermia

Sitting for merely 10 minutes in a hot bathtub can raise your body temperature. A pregnant body cannot tolerate hyperthermia, and you may pass out. Weakness and dizziness, as a result, can lead to other mishaps such as injury from fall.

5) Hot water can induce labor or birth defects

Studies have shown that women who bathed while pregnant in water about 101° F had congenital disabilities. The oxygen supply to baby reduces and eventually raises the risk of miscarriage.

6) Bath After water breaks

Once your water breaks, the baby is exposed, and infections can spread quickly. Your doctor will not only prevent you from bathing but will ask you not to touch that area. An infection spreading after water break is catastrophic.

Can you bath with cold water when pregnant?

Avoid bathing with ice cold water too because hypothermia can cause numbness. But mostly bathing waters are in the hotter temperature range. People rarely take a bath with cold water. When you have hot flashes, use ice packs but don’t bath in cold water while pregnant.

Bath while pregnant first trimester

Can I take a bath while pregnant first trimester? You can take a shower while pregnant by following guidelines for it.

Sauna, jacuzzi or hot water bath first trimester are not safe. They can lead to low blood pressure, implantation defects or weakness.

Do not bath after eating because anyway, your digestive system is sluggish due to raised progesterone level.

Temperature changes and motions during a bath can aggravate nausea and vomiting. The first trimester has you suffering from morning sickness all the day. Not being able to eat well lowers body energy and bathing further leads to dizziness. Avoid taking a bath late at night or early morning for the same reasons.

The first trimester is a tricky period, and anything unexpected can happen even at the slightest mistake.

Baths during pregnancy second trimester

The second trimester is a more stable time during pregnancy. You can use a thermometer to check the temperature of the water. You are strictly prohibited from entering a bathtub with water at temperatures above 102° F.

A long hot bath is more dangerous during pregnancy than taking a dip in a hot tub while pregnant. When your upper body remains out of the water, your circulation can prevent hyperthermia.

You can take a quick hot bath to relieve cramps and pain during pregnancy. Don’t bath for long duration. Even lying in a  hot water tub is not advisable for pregnant women. Everything needs a balance. When you do it in excess the same thing misfires that was beneficial.

Bath while pregnant third trimester

During the third trimester after your water breaks or when the due date of labor is near, you may have to stop bathing. After membranes rupture there is risk khg infection.

Once the mucus plug comes out and cervix effaces your doula will prevent you from bathing. Hot tubs are used for natural onset of labor. Logic will get your answer!

At the later stage, you need to be very gentle near your vagina. Take out loofah, scrubs and perfumed washes off the shelves.

Are hot baths okay during pregnancy?

There have been various studies on hot bath while pregnant first trimester. While a warm bath while pregnant is OK, you need to be extra cautious of hot baths while pregnant. Until the temperature is below 100° F, you can get in the hot tub while pregnant.

Are hot baths good for you when you are pregnant? Yes, they relax you and ease muscle pain or hip pain during pregnancy. Just follow the precautions and take it for a short duration. Be careful of the water temperature!

Hot showers while pregnant third trimester poses you at risk if your water leaks. But if your doctor allows it, then you can continue.

Can I take an Epsom salt bath while pregnant?

Taking Epsom salt bath while pregnant relaxes muscles and increases magnesium in the body.

Magnesium is known to cure leg cramps and anxiety. Bathing in Epsom salt during pregnancy flushes off the toxins and treats internal hemorrhage.

Is it safe to take a bath with Epsom salt while pregnant? Totally! The sulfate of Epsom salt removes the toxins that cause itching and rashes. Bathing with Epsom salt is a home remedy for pregnancy leg cramps.

Women who have insomnia during pregnancy must take a warm bath with Epsom salt before sleeping.

Can you use bath bombs while pregnant?

You can use bath bombs while pregnant if they are for sensitive skin. A relaxing bubble bath while pregnant is a good away of sailing through bad phases.

Check the ingredients of the bath bomb for pregnant women to ensure that it is safe. During pregnancy, your skin can become allergic to things that you have been using for ages.

If the bubble bath has natural ingredients, then there is no harm in using it during pregnancy. Do not allow the temperature of water to be more than 99° F as such products can have warming substances.

Taking baths while pregnant does not harm the baby as long as you use lukewarm water and are not at predisposed risk.

You can ask your doctor for personal advice if it is safe to take a bath while pregnant. In case you are at risk of preterm labor your doctor will tell you whether you can you take bath when pregnant.

Sponging or wiping with warm water works to allow you skip bath during pregnancy. Avoid use of perfumed products that can cause allergy or overpower your sense of smell.

Be very careful while washing your female parts and do not insert anything inside.