Why you should NOT use a hot tub while pregnant

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Last updated: 
January 16, 2021
pregnant

As you may know, using a hot tub is perhaps one of the best ways to deal with those aches and pains which come part and parcel of life. In fact, this is perhaps the number one reason why people end up purchasing a hot tub. (If you are on a hunt for one, check out our best inflatable hot tub guide)

Don't use the hot tub while pregnant

Now, this causes many pregnant women to believe that the hot tub is the best place for them to head during their pregnancy. After all, a pregnant woman is going to have to deal with a lot of muscle pain. This idea could not be further than the truth. In fact, entering a hot tub whilst pregnant could be dangerous to both the woman and the baby.

Studies have shown that when the body goes over 101 Degrees regularly it can increase the chances of a birth defect. More often than not the hot tub will be significantly warmer than that. This means the lady is at risk of causing harm to her baby.

Now, it is worth noting that it would take roughly ten minutes to raise the temperature of the body to around 101 Degrees. This means that in theory, somebody who is pregnant could stay in the hot tub for around that length of time. It is important that they leave at this point.

Risk named Hyperthermia

Another risk is that of hyperthermia (not hypothermia!). This occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature and thus goes into almost a state of shock due to how hot their body is.

This is a condition that could happen to just about anybody. This does tend to be a much bigger problem for those who are pregnant though. This is because during pregnancy the body finds it very difficult to regulate its core temperature. If you are pregnant then you will notice that you may often be far hotter or far colder than you really should be. This is due to a lack of regulation in the body.

Hyperthermia can be very dangerous if not treated almost instantly. Perhaps the best way to avoid this condition is to just not step into the hot tub.

There is one way you can use a hot tub while pregnant and that is by lowering the water temperature or using it for a short time. Here are some precautions you should take:

  • As mentioned before, limiting the amount of time spent in the water before cooling off (Max. 10 minutes).
  • Some hot-tubs can be reprogrammed to run at a lower temperature. You should see if you can do that with yours. Honestly, you really do not need a high temperature to enjoy the water.
  • Keeping an eye out for warning signs that you are overheating. Feeling uncomfortable or sweating is a sure-fire sign that you need to get out of that water as soon as you can.

Photo credit: nexus6

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