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Can I Take Long, Hot Showers While I'm Pregnant?
As relaxing as long, steamy showers or a soak in a hot tub can be when your body is feeling the aches and pains of pregnancy, it's best to avoid becoming overheated. After speaking to my doctor about the topic he had this to say about the heat exposure:
"An increase in core body temperature has been associated with an increase for congenital malformations (birth defects). Therefore, Ob/Gyns advise women to avoid excessive heat, especially during the first trimester. This includes excessive heat encountered in the work place, Jacuzzis, baths and saunas."
Taking a hot shower usually doesn't result in an increased core body temperature, provided that the shower is not excessively hot or long. If you are like me then you will not be able to tolerate the heat for excessive amounts of time to start with and your body will respond negatively. I often end my shower or turn the heat down when I see splotches of redness begin to appear. I only splotch when pregnant, so I know it is affecting my body.
Heating pads, when used appropriately, are safe to use during pregnancy and will not increase the risk for malformations. You would never want to use a heating pad on or near your belly. Using it on your back is totally safe, as suggested by my physician and can be used at any time there is back pain. I often used a massager with heat to relieve those painful muscle spasms near the end of my pregnancy.
In the months to come you will find that as your belly grows bigger and you grow increasingly uncomfortable you will not enjoy being hot and will look for any cool spot you can find. I often find myself standing over a cool air vent just to get a hint of a breeze.
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