Hot tubs

[LiLStar]

What water temperature is safe? My brother just got one and says he has it set to 100*. Is that temp okay? I have no idea what the "normal" hot tub temp is :\

[ktmelody]

I think a hot tub is fine set at 99-100 degrees for 15 minutes for pregnants.
I think that 98 degrees is plenty warm though. Most hot tubs can be heated and cooled in a hour or so.
Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

[AllisonR]

If I remember correctly, many places in the USA say no hot tubs / sauna's for pregnant women. It is sort of a blanket statement though, when in reality common sense should prevail. In Scandinavia, tubs and saunas are used by pregnant women.

It is sort of like the recommendation to not drink any alcohol. It's a "safe" recommendation, when in reality women the world over have a glass of red wine with dinner when pregnant, with no problems to baby. It's the heavy binge drinking that is the problem, not the one glass of wine. Maybe society just feels it is easier to make a rigid rule?

Same thing with the hot tub, steam room, sauna.... If it is medium-hot and you are in 15 minutes, you and baby will be fine. If it is really hot, then you might need to only stay in 5-10 minutes. Use your common sense. If you are feeling too hot/uncomfortable, get out. The baby is normally 1 degree hotter than you, so if you are hot then babe is too.

[Pandora114]

I indulged in hottubs when I was moving from Ontario to here.

I used my judgement. I put my foot in. Then two feet in, and if I started to sweat with just two feet in, I did NOT go in.

But if it was the temp of a normal bath, I went in and soaked.

Sometimes they set their hottub WAY too hot. I always asked what the setting was too, but more often than not they didn't have a clue...

If you have your OWN hottub, then hey go to town because you can adjust the temp to your liking. Man I wish I had my own hottub.

He can adjust the temperature. That's the beauty of owning your own hottub than visiting one at an aquatic facility/gym/hotel.

[LiLStar]

Thanks :) On our honeymoon we were at a different hotel every night, and I'd always check the hot tub.. there was only ONE that I felt comfortable getting into, because it was "bath water" His wife went in preg, and their 2 and 6 year olds go in.. so I'm sure its fine! (He says you can be in for a long time without getting too hot)

[Mere]

I remember asking my midwife about this last time; she said that it can be dangerous only if it raises your core body temperature too high (like a fever would). There's a lot of padding inbetween the baby and the hot water, so it would take a long time - and pretty hot water - to actually raise your body temperature a significant amount.

I soak in my bathtub at about 102, but I just leave the upper half of my body (chest up) and don't spend forever in there like I used to!

[jocelyndale]

From experience, I can tell you this . . . pregnant or not, when jumping into the hot tub at the gym/pool, TAKE OFF YOUR SWIM CAP.

Ahem.

Three minutes and I nearly passed out. :blush I just forgot about it. I have really long hair, so I throw it over the edge of the tub so that it doesn't fall in. I haven't gone in the hot tub since I got pregnant, but I know that in other countries, women do it in moderation.

I'll probably start going in for a couple minutes to relax my back muscles.

[Eaglevoice]

From what I've heard, you'll start to feel over heated before your core temp reaches the dangerous 101 degrees and you'll *know* it's time to get out.

[marie1080]

I am 39 weeks and I love love love the hot tub.:thumb We have one in the back yard and it feels so good to be in there. I found this article helpful.

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/hottubs.htm

We reduced the temperature of the tub to 100 degrees and I get out after 10-15 minutes which I think is plenty safe.

[AustinAmber]

If you are concerned about overheating just take your temperature while you are in. I've read somewhere that if your body temperature reached 99 degrees F then it is time to get out.

[paxye]

My neighbor keeps her between 96-98.... I don't break a sweat at all when I am in it so I stay for as long as I am comfy... It is a bit too cold now though (snowing) but I could REALLY go for a soak at the moment...