J.M. asks from Los Angeles, CA on January 07, 2008
Hot Shower Ok?
I know you are not supposed to do the jacuzzi or hot bath thing, but is it ok to take a hot shower when pregnant? I like my showers pretty hot and I have already taken a few lengthy ones, esp. when I was sick b/c I was so sore and this was in the very early weeks. Now I worry b/c I read that heating your body up can case neural tube defects. Does a hot shower really heat your body up the way a jacuzzi does? Should I be worried? :/
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B.M. answers from San Francisco on January 09, 2008
I LOVED my hot showers while pregnant! I think a shower is completely safe- you're not submerged etc. like in a jacuzzi. Wouldn't worry about it.
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D.G. answers from Los Angeles on January 09, 2008
Enjoy your hot shower. You will need them.
D.K. answers from Los Angeles on January 09, 2008
OF COURSE! Do you think people take cold showers the whole time they are pregnant?? You can take hot baths as well!! You are just not meant to take EXCESSIVELY LONG hot baths. I took hot baths!! Just don't sit in there for an hour! Jacuzzi's are EXCESSIVELY Hot. Did you OB tell you not to take a bath?
Sometimes these Doctors are over the top!
S.H. answers from Los Angeles on January 09, 2008
Hi J.,
I take baths every day instead of showers and did straight through both my pregnancies with no ill effects. It all depends on how high your body temp. rises and stays, so as long as it isn't for too long or scalding hot you really are ok. The shower is perfecly fine... just watch how you feel. If you feel dizzy or weak cetainly get out and sit down, but other wise...no worries.
B.W. answers from Los Angeles on January 09, 2008
Too long of a hot shower can cause defects to the fetus as well as the rest of your egg (ovum) supply for future babies. Heating up the body too much is also not safe for you. Try to limit your hot showers to 15 minutes and definately no longer than 20 minutes.
I know how you feel, while I was pregnant a hot shower was the only thing that could help me relax. What worked for me was starting with it hot until I warmed up, them turning it down while I soaped up, then ending with it hot again.
Good luck!
B.
L.K. answers from Los Angeles on January 09, 2008
I did it, it was my only joy as I was on bedrest. I also had to sit on a shower seat. My doc said no more than two to five minutes but sometimes I stayed in for ten. I loved and needed that shower.
M.C. answers from Los Angeles on January 09, 2008
C.T. answers from Honolulu on January 09, 2008
Aloha J.-
Don't worry about taking a hot shower. Even though you think it is really hot, your baby is well insulated in his/her "bath water". When I was pregnant I used a jacuzzi frequently. I was told not to make it hotter than 105, and even 90 felt very hot to me.My baby was not harmed at all and thrived. It is amazing what you can do when you are pregnant, especially if it is something you have always done. My sister continued to ride her horse far into her pregnancy. Good luck with your baby and don't worry, that probably has more effect than your activities!
K.B. answers from Los Angeles on January 09, 2008
Sorry Love, I really enjoyed a hot shower too and Goodness knows you deserve a little feel good about now...but NO GO on the hot shower, I asked several medical sources hopeing for a YES and never could get one. Even too much exercise raising your tempature is dangerous - cooks the little one, especially the brain. But don't freak if you have done a jacuzzi, hot shower etc...lots of Moms did (including me) before knowing the babies are AOK! Take care. K. B.
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