Pregnancy is the most beautiful phase of a woman’s life where she goes through a lot of challenges and body transformations. However, during this happy period, a woman is to take utmost care of herself in every aspect from nutrition to diet, from physical well being to mental health. Bathing is one of the most soothing activities that not only cleans your body but also helps in keeping your mind calm. Generally, in India, hot water is preferred when it comes to bathing, but should pregnant women take a hot water bath?
To get a better understanding on this, OnlyMyHealth interacted with Dr Apurva Gupta, Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Daffodils by Artemis, East of Kailash, New Delhi.
When asked if women should take hot water baths, Dr Gupta said, “Pregnant women should avoid bathing in hot water, especially water that is too hot, because it can potentially raise their body temperature to unsafe levels, which can be harmful to the developing foetus. For bathing during pregnancy warm or lukewarm water is recommended to avoid any risks of overheating.”
According to a study published by the National Institute of Health, hot baths during pregnancy may harm the foetus in several ways and can result in birth defects.
How Do Hot Baths Affect Foetus?
Answering this, Dr Gupta said, “Bathing in hot water can elevate a pregnant woman's body temperature to unsafe levels which can potentially lead to hyperthermia. This rise in body temperature can be harmful to the developing foetus, increasing the risk of neural tube defects and other developmental issues, especially during the first trimester when the baby's organs are forming.”
Additionally, Dr Gupta said, excessive heat can cause dehydration and reduce blood flow to the uterus, negatively affecting the baby's growth and development.
Also read: Ectopic Pregnancy Can Be Life-threatening: Symptoms To Help Identify It On Time
How Does Hot Water Bath Pose Risk For Pregnant Women?
Bathing in hot water can pose significant risks for pregnant women. Explaining the risks, Dr Gupta said, “It can lead to overheating, dehydration, and a drop in blood pressure, which may result in dizziness, fainting, or even lead to falls. Overheating can also cause discomfort and exacerbate symptoms like swelling and nausea, which are common in pregnancy.”
Furthermore, prolonged exposure to hot water can increase the risk of infections, especially urinary tract infections, which already are more common during pregnancy, as per Dr Gupta. Therefore, it's important for pregnant women to avoid hot baths and prefer warm or lukewarm water to ensure their own and the baby's safety.
Safe Choice For A Hot Bath During Pregnancy
Safest and best option for bathing during pregnancy is to use warm or lukewarm water. Advising on how warm the water should be, Dr Gupta said, “Make sure that the water temperature is comfortable and not hot enough to raise your body temperature excessively. It's better to keep the water temperature below 100°F (38°C). Furthermore, it's important to limit the duration of your bath to around 10-15 minutes to avoid overheating.” To verify the temperature, you can use a thermometer to check the temperature before taking a bath. If you start to feel too warm or uncomfortable, then immediately get out of the bath.
Conclusion
Pregnancy is the most delicate time and taking utmost care of your health and overall well-being is important. This includes taking all the precautions even while taking baths. Avoid hot water baths completely and start using warm or lukewarm water.