Hot Tub: Is It Safe for Pregnant Women?

People are now becoming interested in trying out alternative therapies to help them manage ailments and conditions. One popular therapy nowadays is soaking in a hot tub.

Inflatable hot tub benefits are a favorite topic on the web, and people from all walks of life want to reap the benefits of using a hot tub. In response, hot tub manufacturers are thinking of new features that will make their product a hit to the growing market.

However, just like any therapies out there, certain precautions have to be followed to ensure the hot tub safety of the user. The health and present condition of the user is also being considered. One question that many want to know is whether hot tub is safe for pregnant women.

In this article, we’ll answer this question to put an end to your worries and doubts regarding this matter. As there is little research done on this subject, we make use of the logical explanations why there is a concern in using hot tub amongst the pregnant.

3 Reasons Why Pregnant Women Avoid Hot Tub

There are 3 common reasons why pregnant women avoid soaking in a hot tub. These 3 reasons are, more or less, related to each other. Pregnant women avoid hot tub because of the fear of the following:

Since you can only fully enjoy the benefits of the hot tub when the temperature is slightly higher, the risk of overheating is a common concern for pregnant women.

When using a hot tub, you are expected to sweat a lot because of the slightly high temperature of the water. The more you sweat, the more you lose water in your body. This makes you more vulnerable to dehydration, which can cause serious complications during pregnancy such as premature labor.

Because hot tub puts you at risk of overheating, your body recuperates by letting more blood flow closer to your skin to help you feel cool through sweating. While it gives you a temporary relief from overheating, the process actually deprives your internal organs of the blood flow since concentration is on the skin.

For pregnant women, their body becomes more sensitive because of hormonal changes. If the blood flow is not regulated well and the internal organs receive less oxygen, the chances of fainting are higher.

So, is this concern about hot tub safety for pregnant women valid? With all the 3 reasons above, we can say it is indeed valid. After all, these soon-to-be-mothers are not only thinking about themselves but as well as their baby.

Let’s get started!

Is Hot Tub Safe During Pregnancy?

Using a hot tub is not completely off limits to pregnant women. According to the National Health Service (NHS) in the U.K. all these concerns can be handled by having proper hot tub temperature management and hot tub water care.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, as cited in the NHS website,  recommend the constant monitoring of water temperature. They revealed that the water temperature shouldn’t exceed 32 degree Celsius.

As you may have noticed, the recommended water temperature is slightly lower than the normal body temperature, which is 37 degree Celsius. Why? This is because during pregnancy, the woman’s body is subject to hormonal changes and increased blood flow, making their body already warmer than usual.

For the mother and the baby’s safety, it is best to avoid hot tubs with very hot temperature. Some hot tubs can go as high as 40 degree Celsius. This range is already a red alert for pregnant women.

By avoiding hot tubs with higher water temperature than the suggested limit by the health care professionals, you are also protecting yourself from the three risks stated above: overheating, dehydration, and fainting.

Final Thoughts

Regardless of being pregnant or not, hot tub safety is a very important subject that all hot tub users must take into consideration. Pregnant women are not the only individuals who are at risk of overheating, dehydration, and fainting. People with high blood pressure and sensitive skin are not recommended to use the hot tub as well.

People, in general, should be responsible enough to keep track of their condition before soaking in a hot tub. Consulting your doctor is the best precaution that you can do.