We really want to relax during pregnancy and spas seem to be the way to go, but are they safe for pregnant women?
A matter of temperature
We want to take care of ourselves during pregnancy, but we never want to do it at the expense of our unborn child. It is for this reason that great care must be taken when choosing relaxation in environments as hot as a spa or hot tub. Without necessarily requiring you to avoid them altogether, doctors recommend erring on the side of caution and going in moderation. Here are some recommendations to pamper yourself safely.
The sauna and pregnancy
Pregnant women should not go to saunas during pregnancy to avoid raising their body temperature unnecessarily. Indeed, it is necessary to prevent the body temperature from increasing by more than 2 degrees Celsius during pregnancy in order to avoid lesions and malformations in babies. Several studies have established a link between exposure to excessively high and prolonged temperatures during pregnancy and neural tube defects and false- layers. For this reasonand because saunas serve the purpose of increasing body temperature, it is more reasonable to avoid them altogether throughout pregnancy.
Hot yoga or bikram yoga
Always to avoid raising your body temperature, it is not recommended to practice hot yoga or bikram yoga during pregnancy. Indeed, the risks of causing heat stroke are too great during these sessions. In addition, Power yoga and kundalini yoga are also not recommended during pregnancy because of the heat they generate in your body. There are several other forms of yoga that are safe. To be sure, ask your doctor before registering.
The spa during pregnancy
During pregnancy, the baby's temperature is directly related to that of its mother. When this increases drastically, the risks of malformation and miscarriage increase. In addition, the heat dilates the blood vessels which are already very dilated in pregnant women who suffer from heavy legs and the heat can increase your heart rate and cause discomfort.
For this reason, it is best to avoid hot tubs during pregnancy. If you still choose to jump in, avoid staying in the spa for more than 10 minutes and get out as soon as you feel you are too hot. You Should Avoid Spas Completelythat have a temperature of more than 39 degrees Celsius and avoid significant temperature differences (passing outside during the winter, for example).
Whirlpools
Whirlpool baths can relax you and calm your sore muscles, especially in late pregnancy, but the water temperature should not be hotter than that of a normal bath. Keep your bath temperature between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius to make sure you don't raise your body temperature and that of the baby.
Listen to yourself
In all circumstances, listen to your body. If you are out of breath, sweating a lot, and feel way too hot, stop your activity and go to a warmer place to drink some water. If you have ever spent a lot of time in hot water baths or saunas, mention this to your doctor during your next follow-up visit.
