Can you take a bath while pregnant? As long as you're bathing in warm — not hot — water, then yes, you can safely take baths while pregnant.
Thankfully, there's good news: as long as the water isn't too hot, there's virtually no reason why you can't luxuriate in a bath while you're pregnant. 1 Read on for what to know about taking a bath while pregnant, including in what circumstances it may be less safe, and what precautions you might need to take.
While it's fine to take a warm bath while you're pregnant, water that is too hot can reduce the blood flow to your baby, which can cause distress. The temperature of your bath water shouldn't be higher than 98 degrees Fahrenheit.
(Sigh of relief.) Baths are safe, not to mention super-relaxing, when you're pregnant—but you do need to watch the water temperature.
Monitor your body temperature while bathing to prevent overheating. Never take a hot bath when you have a fever. If you begin sweating profusely, get out of the tub immediately and cool yourself down by drinking lots of water. Do not use bath salts, bubble baths, or any products containing BPA liners, phthalates, etc.
In fact, if you're feeling queasy, it's probably best to avoid scented bath products as well as anything that contains dyes, fragrances and tons of additives. Pregnant women are prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs) and vaginal irritation.
If used as intended, Lush products are totally safe to use during pregnancy. We follow a set of guidelines created by the International Fragrance Association to ensure our perfume materials are well within safety levels for cosmetic use, even while pregnant.
"In general, caution should be used. Staying in a hot tub or bath for more than 10 minutes could raise your body temperature higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit," Anar Yukhayev, M.D., OB-GYN at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Katz Women's Hospital, tells Parents.
Although research is on-going, studies have shown that overheating, especially during the first trimester, can cause neural tube defects that affect your baby's brain and spine development.
The good news is that taking a bath when pregnant can help you transition from the day to the night. As well as relaxing your body, a lovely, warm bath will also help to relax your mind. Taking a bath before bedtime means that your body is warm and cosy, and ready to slow down and sleep.
Use lavender for pregnancy to aid nausea or headaches by placing a few drops of lavender essential oil on a cotton ball and breathing slowly and deeply with the cotton ball held close to your face. The lavender will help calm your nerves. You can also use peppermint or grapefruit oil to help calm nausea.
Avoid bath bombs with clove, cinnamon, rosemary, clary sage, bitter almond, basil, juniper berry, nutmeg, mustard, and thyme red. Safe essential oils for pregnant women include but are not limited to lavender, ylang-ylang, chamomile, geranium, ginger, eucalyptus, lime, sandalwood, and tea tree oil.
While there is a right way and a wrong way, expectant mothers do not have to be afraid of taking a bath. UAMS OB/GYN Dr. Amy Phillips says the only concern with taking a bath is the risk of infection. “The main concern with long baths is they actually increase your risk of vaginal infections,” she said.
Drinking cold water cannot make your little one feel cold inside your womb but make them feel a bit different. Some women do think that it might be bad having cold water. However, it is wrong since it makes your baby comfortable inside.
Perfume and Pregnancy: Starting Fragrance-Free
Some scents can even help fight nausea-like peppermint, ginger, and cardamom. Many pregnant women have found that citrus scents help alleviate nausea and are not over-powering, but rather leave a refreshed, rejuvenated, and calm feeling.
Chamomile tea: A cup of chamomile tea before bed may relax you. However, there is a suggestion it could stimulate your uterus or lead to circulation problems in your baby. Higher rates of preterm labour and miscarriage have also been reported. It's best to avoid drinking chamomile tea in large quantities.
-It may cause a drop in blood pressure, which can deprive the baby of oxygen and nutrients and can increase the risk of miscarriage. -Studies also suggest that taking a hot water bath, especially in the first trimester increases the chance of birth defects like spina bifida.
Ease your Morning Sickness with a Warm Bath
When you are pregnant, your hormones can block your body's ability to absorb magnesium, which may cause sickness, nausea, and, ultimately discomfort. Don't fret! Taking a warm bubble bath with epson salt will help to ease your pains. Epson salts are magnesium sulfate.
As a fast rule, baby showers are often held at the end of the second trimester or early to midway through the third trimester — usually four to six weeks before the due date.
Tradition states that when it comes to throwing a baby shower, those who love you should do the honors. This person could be your best friend from college, a colleague from work, the next-door neighbor… or your sister, sister-in-law, mother, aunt, etc.
Most often, the host pays for the baby shower. This is not always one person. For example, several aunts and cousins might cover the full tab of a shower at a restaurant, or a group of coworkers may help coordinate all the decorations, food and fun.