Hot baths

[CorrieFan]

I'm just wondering.... am I the only person here who is avoiding hot baths? I really really miss them. Have only had one twenty minute bath since starting IVF treatment in September. I've heard alsorts from one IVF nurse saying its an old wives tale to my current midwife saying, well, it isn't good to overheat the baby.

Of course I have erred on the side of caution but am I taking it too far? Can I really imerse myself in a hot bath for an hour reading magazines like I used to?

 

[mary70]

i was told not to have hot baths and with my daughter i did start bleeding after i had a hot bath and doc said that prob started it off bit whether it was or not i dont know

 

[debecca]

I'll probably rot in hell for all eternity for this but I've had a hot bath once a week since conception. However, it hasn't been roasting hot and I make sure my bump has some time out of the water - don't want her to overheat and get brain damage or anything.

I love my baths

 

[Sherlock]

Apparently overheating (raising your body temp) is not good for LO in there while PG. Things like baths do this. Think of your skin turning pink when a bath is hot. Its raising your temp inside also.

Baths are generally suggested to be a little cooler so as to stop raising your core body temp and possibly causing problems with baby. You should also avoid things like saunas and hot baths etc for this reason.

Baths seem to be considered a bit safer exposure wise as they usually cool quite quickly and also as your entire body is not submersed in water. But it is still advised to not make them overly hot and to keep your bump area out of the water on and off to ensure not overheating.

I love *hot* baths but haven't had one since becoming PG. So looking forward to when LO is here and I can soak in one. I shower now instead and make that pretty hot but as I'm soaking in it nor is it on my bump its ok

 

[clairedoran]

I have more showers than baths, but they are not as hot as I had them before I was pregnant. I've been known to have dizzy spells after getting out the shower I have them that hot! When dh gets in after me, he screams when he first turns the shower on because of how high I have the temperature dial! But I have them alot cooler now, as i've heard it's not good for the baby to overheat. xxx

 

[Becs]

I'm with debecca. I used to love piping hot baths and now have a cooler version which I think are still probably too hot at about 39 degrees when I first get in. (Yes I am a saddo and have actually measured the temp. But the bathroom is so cold all of my bits that stick out feel cold.) I was at a spa and they said not to use the jacuzzi as it was 38 degrees, mind you it was sweltering hot in the room already so I can see how my body temp would have shot up. Play it by ear and do what you feel is okay for you. The reason you are not supposed to have a hot bath is to do with your temp and blood pressure, you won't roast your unborn fetus. If you get red skin in the bath that is too hot but otherwise, use your own judgement and do what makes you most comfortable.

*Stands in line for rotting in hell*

 

[Sherlock]

Apparently from my reading on it its advised to be cautious more in first tri when the fetus is developing. Later tri's don't seem to be such an area of concern but its still advised to not raise your body temp overly.

 

[handbagqueen]

I thought you just had to make sure it wasn't too hot but it was still ok to have baths?! Its now formed part of my relaxation routine and I have a bath most nights now. I used to get dizzy coming out of my baths cos they were so hot but now i'm just at a comfortable temp and my skin doesn't go pink or anything so I'm going to carry on!

 

[sarafet]

i have also been having hot baths as normal, and used hot water bottles on my back.

my baths aren't BOILING, and i only ever stay in for 15 mins at the most, but there's nothing better to sooth a sore back and swollen feet than a hot bath

i hate taking paracetemol, so for any aches i use a hot water bottle mostly. i haven't had any side effects from baths or hot water bottles and a m/w has said they are both ok. i think it's another of these things in modern day pregnancy which people will disagree on..

 

[CorrieFan]

Thanks ladies. Loving this forum - can't believe I've only just discovered it!

So I've decided to have a bath when I really want one (ie when my magazine arrives in the post) but not hot enought to make my skin go pink.

Thanks for helping me sort that one out!

 

[Tillytots]

Im incredibly naughty, I have 2 baths a day ( I dont own a shower) and they arent what Id describe as cool. Obviously not boiling hot but hot still I dont feel clean unless its got some heat to it! My bump sticks way outta the water so Im guessing its not that bad but my Mum had a go at me for it the other day so Im tryhing to add more cold

 

[Miss.Monroe]

I'll probably rot in hell for all eternity for this but I've had a hot bath once a week since conception. However, it hasn't been roasting hot and I make sure my bump has some time out of the water - don't want her to overheat and get brain damage or anything.

I love my baths

ill be joining you then! lol i love really hot baths too!

never knew to avoid them!

 

[clairedoran]

I dont feel clean unless its got some heat to it!

That's exactly how I feel. I will be going back back to looking like a lobster getting out of the shower as soon as the baby is born. Dh says it looks like i've taken a layer of skin off sometimes. My showers now are still hot by his standard xxx

 

[NickyB]

I've been avoiding hot baths, I can't wait to have one (I'm freezing tonight)!

 

[dannii87]

*Stands in line for rotting in hell*

Looks like I'm in the queue too...

Mine aren't hot hot, but probably aren't as cool as they are supposed to be... xx

 

[Geordie&Bairn]

I love a long hot shower
i dont have a bath but prefer showers anyway
ive felt quite gulty for having the shower at my normal temperture
ie..hot but i found out from my midwife that it ok as long as im not standing with bump direactly under the spray for a ages.
A not to hot bath would be ok as long as you tempreture didnt go overly high and you werent in for an extended period.
As sherlock said more the first trimesters then the later.
but if i used a bath id air on the side of caution and lower my normal bath temp. getn one of those bath themometers to check the temp level.
sarah

 

[mandspice]

We don't have a shower at home, just a bath, so I've been having daily baths at the normal temperature. Not scalding but not cold either - lowering your body temp too much must also be bad for bubz and I'd freeze to death in a cold bath at this time of year! xx

 

[Mrs_Jay]

*Stands in line for rotting in hell*

Looks like I'm in the queue too...

Mine aren't hot hot, but probably aren't as cool as they are supposed to be... xx

me too

 

[debecca]

OOOOH just seen you're in Cumbria... whereabouts?

I'm in Lancaster

 

[CorrieFan]

Hello Lancaster girl - I used to work at the Infirmary! Are you going to have your baby there?

I live in a small village near Milnthorpe, just inside the Cumbria Lancashire border.