Hot Baths/ Sauna in Pregnancy

Having regular warm-water baths in pregnancy have not been associated with increased pregnancy problems. A warm-water bath is highly unlikely to increase your body temperature significantly.

Numerous studies, done in animals and humans, do show that hyperthermia, the abnormal elevation of body temperature, can adversely effect fetal development. Studies in animals show that an increase of 1.5 degree celcius in maternal body temperature is associated with central nervous system and other abnormalities. However it is not clear whether hyperthermia produces adverse effects through direct action on the embryo or by producing maternal toxicity.

Some studies have shown that there is a significant increased risk of congenital defects such as neural-tube defects, abdominal-wall defects, and cardiac defects in the babies born to women who reported having a fever during their first trimester.

Recommendation is that maternal body temperature should not be repeatedly raised during pregnancy above 38.9 C (102 F). Therefore pregnant women who use hot tubs should limit exposure to 15 minutes if temperature of water is at 39 degrees Celsius, or to 10 minutes if water temperature is 40.0 to 41.1 degrees Celsius.

Sauna baths permit greater heat loss (through evaporation of perspiration) than do water baths, allowing time limits to be extended.

Do talk to your Lead Maternity Carer(LMC) if you are considering using hot tubs or sauna in pregnancy.