Bath during pregnancy: benefits, harms and limitations

A hot bath is good for relaxing and relieves fatigue, but it is not always acceptable in case of pregnancy. There are certain contraindications and restrictions for such procedures. Deciding whether a pregnant woman can take a bath - in the early stages, in the second and third trimesters - should only be done after consulting a doctor. But even when there is no prohibition, some rules must be followed to make bathing safe for both the mother and her unborn child.

Can pregnant women bathe in the bathtub?

This issue is not so controversial if we take into account the knowledge and achievements of our time, including medicine and gynecology. It is outdated ideas that bring confusion and uncertainty into it.

Previously, it was believed that if a pregnant woman immerses herself in water (whether in a bathtub or an open pond), the water could penetrate the vagina and cause an infection that would harm the baby in the womb. Now doctors know for sure that this is an absolutely ridiculous misconception, and if water gets into the vagina of a pregnant woman, then the mucous plug in the cervix protects the fetus from its penetration. Neither foreign liquids nor infections can “pass” through it. But when it’s gone (after the water breaks), that’s a different matter.

It turns out that a woman should not wonder whether it is possible to bathe in the bathtub during pregnancy. The answer is unequivocal - it is possible, and even necessary, because maintaining intimate hygiene during this period is extremely important.

The point is different: since the woman is no longer alone, and is responsible for two lives, then this point must be taken into account in every situation. Therefore, a pregnant woman should wash herself in the bathroom subject to certain safety rules for her and the baby.

The benefits of taking a bath in the early stages: all the pros of the effects of warm water on the body of the expectant mother

Taking a warm, but not hot, bath is beneficial both in early and late pregnancy. If a girl experiences nagging pain in the lower abdomen, she should avoid bathing, as a miscarriage or bleeding may occur.

In the absence of contraindications, water helps relieve tension, energize an exhausted body, and will also provide the following benefits:

• relaxes muscles;
• improves blood circulation;
• reduce back and lower back pain;
• normalizes sleep;
• eliminates or reduces swelling;
• will strengthen the immune system.

As you can see, it’s not in vain that women worry and ask questions about whether a hot bath can harm the baby in the womb or even terminate the pregnancy. The danger increases if the pregnant woman has a hot stomach or other alarming symptoms.

In the second trimester, the procedure of bathing in the bath will help relieve pressure on the back, relieve pain in the lumbar region, and in case of cystitis, it will soothe pain in the bladder. The third trimester, when the period reaches 40 weeks, spending 15 minutes in warm water helps reduce the tone of the uterus and relieve discomfort in the spine.

What should a bath be like for a pregnant woman?

Pregnancy, to one degree or another, makes its own adjustments to a woman’s life. Some people have to give up previously favorite dishes, others have to give up their usual clothes, sports, etc.

As for water procedures and in particular taking a bath, the only thing that you should absolutely avoid during pregnancy is hot baths. It is immersion in high temperature water that can negatively affect the course of pregnancy and the intrauterine condition of the baby.

But this does not mean that baths should be abandoned altogether. To avoid negative consequences and risks, it is enough to follow very simple rules:

• consult in advance with a gynecologist managing the pregnancy to find out if there are any individual contraindications to taking baths;
• the water temperature in the bathroom should not be higher than 37 degrees;
• the duration of stay in the bathroom should not exceed 20 minutes;
• before immersing yourself in the bath, you should take a shower (but remember that a hot shower is also prohibited during pregnancy);
• the body in the heart area should not be completely submerged in water to avoid excess pressure on the heart of the mother and fetus;
• When finishing a bath, it is better for a pregnant woman to get out of it only after the water has completely drained.

This is what the procedure is all about. But we should also not forget about other safety points:

• It is advisable to lay a rubber mat on the bottom of the bathroom;
• do not lock yourself in the bathroom;
• not taking a bath when no one else is home;
• do not refuse help and support when getting out of the bathroom.

Also, a pregnant woman should understand that water procedures are excluded if she is feeling unwell.

What water temperature is allowed

Cool and warm water temperatures are acceptable for pregnant women. Recommended range +30…+37°C. But it must be borne in mind that hypothermia is no less harmful for women carrying a child. Therefore, when the water does not feel warm enough, it is worth increasing its temperature slightly, but not exceeding the maximum permissible limit of 37°C.

You can check the temperature using a bath thermometer. Without it, simply trusting your feelings, you cannot determine the water temperature. To avoid overheating, do not immerse the heart area in water. It is also recommended to periodically place your arms or legs on the sides. Bathing time is strictly limited to 20 minutes. Even if the water temperature is in the lower range, you should not exceed this time.

The benefits of a bath during pregnancy

Taking a bath is not the only way to perform all the hygiene procedures a woman needs. A shower is a more common and quick way for most people to freshen up.

So why can’t pregnant women do without a bathroom during this period? For some, this may be a matter of preference, but for others, the beneficial effects of the bath on the body and body are very useful. What can be the benefits of a bath for pregnant women?

• Emotional relaxation . A calm atmosphere and the warmth of water enveloping the body allow a woman to forget about her fears and worries, improves mood and sleep;
• Physical relaxation . Due to the fact that the body weighs less in water, in the bath a woman’s body can rest physically from the daily stress. At the same time, all muscles relax, and a bath during pregnancy in the 3rd trimester allows you to reduce the tone of the uterus to avoid premature birth;
• Improving blood circulation . Warm water increases the rate of blood circulation through the vessels, which in turn improves metabolism, saturation of tissues with oxygen, and prevents fetal hypoxia;
• Fighting swelling. Improved blood circulation activates the kidneys, which promotes faster removal of excess fluid from the body.

Bath with “additives”

Taking a bath is a real ritual. Special foams and aromatic oils give it special magic. But the expectant mother should be careful about any “supplements”: in an “interesting situation” they can provoke an allergic reaction.

• Foam. Only natural foams intended for children can be used. They do not contain aggressive chemicals. Such foams are made from a plant soap base, adding natural resins and extracts.
• Aroma oils. You should consult your doctor about the possibility of using a specific product. The safest oils are tea tree, mimosa, and myrtle, but even they should be used half as much as usual. Coriander, lavender, sandalwood, clove, sage and pine oils can be harmful.
• Sea salt. Natural salt without aromatic additives will only provide benefits. It promotes muscle relaxation, calms, and helps eliminate toxins and excess fluid.

The main hygienic procedure in an “interesting position” is a warm shower. You should not take a bath without a doctor's permission. But even after receiving the go-ahead, we must not forget about security measures.

What are the dangers of a hot bath during pregnancy?

It should be noted right away that a pregnant woman can expect danger from taking a bath if any of the previously listed rules are not followed. But it is the high water temperature that poses the greatest danger:

• a hot bath in the early stages can cause pregnancy failure;
• in the 1st trimester, an increase in the mother’s body temperature as a result of overheating in the bathroom can cause deviations in the baby’s development;
• in the later stages, high water temperature can cause oxygen starvation for the baby;
• It is also impossible to take a hot bath in the last months due to the threat of premature labor.

general information

Previously, it was believed that going to the bathroom was simply prohibited. There is also an opinion that swimming pools and ponds are prohibited for pregnant women.

They thought that germs or some harmful microelements could reach the child through dirty water. Some people think that because of a bath you can lose a child, there may be miscarriages.

At the beginning of pregnancy, when implantation is just beginning and many mothers feel that the lower abdomen is pulling during pregnancy, it is not advisable to take a bath.

However, later, starting from the 12th week of pregnancy, the sensations change, the pregnancy is already developing well, and you feel great - you can return to the issue of taking a bath.

Bath during pregnancy and aromatherapy

During pregnancy, a woman is very sensitive to various kinds of odors. In most cases, this is a disadvantage in combination with early toxicosis. But sometimes smells can be used to benefit a pregnant woman’s well-being.

For example, you can use essential oils for aromatherapy while taking a bath:

• oils with the aromas of citrus, bergamot, rose and tea tree, sandalwood and eucalyptus are best suited for expectant mothers;
• The aromas of cypress, cedar, rosemary, basil and thyme cannot be used in aromatherapy for pregnant women;
• for an aroma bath for a pregnant woman, a couple of drops of essential oil are enough;
• The aromas of rose, chamomile and linden flowers, ylang-ylang and neroli have a calming effect.

Aromatic baths have no restrictions on the duration of pregnancy, but before you start taking them, you should consult a gynecologist.

How to take a bath properly

When there are no contraindications, you still need to follow the rules for taking a bath during pregnancy. There are several recommendations to make the procedure as safe as possible:

1. Swimming is only permissible when there is a relative at home. This rule is especially important in the later stages of pregnancy, when it is difficult to get in and out of the bath on your own due to a large belly.
2. It is impossible to lock the bathroom door, as there is a possibility of a deterioration in health when the woman urgently needs help.
3. It is necessary to lay anti-slip rubber mats on the bottom of the font and the floor of the bathroom so that the woman does not trip and get injured.
4. For greater convenience for a pregnant woman, if possible, it is worth equipping the bathtub with linings for the sides and handrails - this will make it easier to get in and out of the water.

For hygiene procedures, it is better to use hypoallergenic cosmetics: baby soap or special shower gel for pregnant women. Among the relaxing additions for the bath - foam, salts, aromatic oils, etc. - you also need to choose those with a natural composition. During pregnancy, any type of hygienic cosmetics can provoke allergies.

Aromatherapy

This is a good way to relax during pregnancy, which does not involve the use of products with “chemicals” in the composition. But even in this case there are some limitations. Toning aromatic oils that should not be used during a bath for pregnant women:

• cedar;
• rosemary;
• thyme;
• cypress;
• basil;
• patchouli;
• grapefruit;
• orange;
• mandarin;
• lemon;
• bergamot;
• cinnamon;
• elecampane;
• tarragon;
• citronella;
• hyssop;
• spruce;
• thuja;
• hop;
• calamus;
• bitter almonds;
• anise;
• angelica;
• camphor;
• lavender;
• fennel;
• sage;
• pink;
• dill;
• oregano;
• nutmeg;
• sandalwood;
• sagebrush;
• camphor;
• juniper;
• coriander;
• carnation;
• pine;
• marjoram;
• schizandra;
• myrrh;
• lemongrass;
• jasmine;
• blue chamomile;
• yarrow.

There are essential oils that women should treat with caution while pregnant and, if possible, avoid using them. These include the following names:

• Melissa;
• myrtle;
• eucalyptus;
• peppermint;

But there is also a list of permitted aromatic oils - of course, if the woman is not allergic to them. These include:

• tea tree;
• pink tree;
• mimosa;
• ginger.

Advice!

If you want to use bubble bath with aromatic oils, you should choose only baby products that do not contain prohibited types.

Add a couple of drops to the water - no more is required. Before doing this, you need to do an allergy test by dropping some oil on your wrist and waiting. If there are no unpleasant sensations, you can use it. It is also permissible to add chamomile to the water. The aroma from the bath should be unobtrusive, so you shouldn’t pour the whole pack, 3-5 tbsp is enough. l.

Salt bath

Natural sea salt without artificial flavors or added prohibited essential oils is well suited for use during pregnancy. It relaxes the body, relieves fatigue and tension, and has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin. But after such a bath, be sure to wash off the remaining salt in the shower. This rule also applies to essential oils.

Pregnant women in the early stages, in the second and third trimester, are generally not prohibited from taking a bath, unless the water is hot and there are no contraindications. There is an acceptable temperature range and maximum time for water procedures; if they are observed, the risks to the health of the expectant mother and child are minimal. There are also rules to help make swimming even safer. In all cases, consultation with a doctor managing the pregnancy is advisable.