Whirltub Use

Updated on January 05, 2008
S.L. asks from Alexandria, MN
31 answers

I just found out that I'm pregnant with #4 and we also just installed a whirlpool tub which I love to use. My question is that I know you are suppose to stay away from hottubs when you are pregnant - but has anyone ever asked about personal whirltubs?

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K.S.

answers from Bismarck on

When I was pregnant my doctor told me that hottubs are dangerous because the temp is so high. She told me as long as I keep it under 100 degrees then it would be ok. I would assume the same would apply to a whirlpool tub. Good luck and congratulations.

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M.H.

answers from Provo on

Hello there I just had my second baby and I used my jetted tub every day my Dr just told me not to use it to hot.. I also got in a hot tub allot at the end of my pregnancy my Dr said it was ok as long as I didn't stay in for more than 15 min at 102 good luck

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M.B.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I have a hot tub and I used it all the time when i was pregnant. I just made sure the temp wasn't higher than my body temperature. There is nothing better than to feel all the weight lift away when you're in a nice jetted tub. It did wonders for my back and feet.

M.

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C.W.

answers from Saginaw on

Hey S.,

My experience is that hottubs tend to be hotter than a bathtub. The problem is not necessarily the chemicals of the hottub but the temperature of the water. When you're pregnant you are supposed to stay away from extremely hot temperatures. That includes saunas, hottubs, etc... especially in the first trimester when the development of the baby is crucial.

I went in a few hottubs while I was pregnant and was in a whirlpool as well. I just made sure the water wasn't too hot (less than 102) and I didn't stay in for too long. As long as YOU are careful to not get hot, the baby will be fine as well.

I would suggest even getting a floating thermometer to check the temperature of your tub before getting in. Hopefully then you'll be able to relax even more. :0) Hope that helps.

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S.P.

answers from Milwaukee on

Congratulations on your pregnancy!!! I'm pregnant also, and love to take baths. My Dr. said the concern with hottubs is that it raises your body temp. She said a hot bath is fine as long as it isn't too hot. So enjoy your new tub!! :)

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B.N.

answers from Great Falls on

When I was pregnant I was told to stay away from hot tubs because an unborn child cannot regulate their own body temperature and the hot water can cause them to overheat. The use of the whirltub would depend on the temperature of the water.

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J.C.

answers from Casper on

I too have a jetted tub, and it is alright to use as long as the temp of the water isn't too hot. It isn't the jets or whirlpool that is the problem when you're pregnant it is the hot temperatures of the water. But if you are really concerned talk to your doc about it. I used mine through my last pregnancy with our 6th child with no problems. Good luck and congratulations on the new baby to come. It isn't very often anymore that you hear of families having more than 2 kids.

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K.S.

answers from Sioux Falls on

I believe the part you have to be warry about is raising your body temperature. I would think a home whirlpool while you are pregnant would be great; just keep the temp down. I craved hot baths while I was pregnant. The experts advise against them, but my son has turned out just fine. A little sassy, but I think that's due to genes. You may want to check with your doctor just to be sure.

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C.K.

answers from Milwaukee on

Hello,
I didn't have time to read many of the other responses but from what I know, the temperature of the water is what is important, not necessarily if its a whirlpool or regular bath. Just don't have the water too hot. This is true even for a shower. My doctor told me if my skin is starting to get pink during/after showers or baths, the water is too hot for the baby. But if the temp is ok there is no reason for you not to enjoy soaking in the tub - whirlpool or regular. Congrats on your new baby!

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A.M.

answers from Omaha on

As long as the temperature is controlled, and your body tempeature does not rise that much, you should be ok. My parents have an outdoor jacuzzi that they lowered the temperature on when I was out there over the summer pregnant w/ #3.

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R.S.

answers from Madison on

I think the main concern is the temperature of the water. If it's over 100*, or as one of my books says, if it's so hot, you have to slowly ease yourself in, it's too hot for baby. From what I was reading about this yesterday, the heat can damage the fetal tissue, (same goes for saunas.) But the action of the whirlpool itself is fine, so enjoy a warm whirlpool.

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H.J.

answers from Pocatello on

S.- The reason they say not to use a hotub is due to the rise in your temp (thus raising babys) You can use your whirltub but, don't use hot water.

If you feel hot so does the baby! Be careful they can not regulate body temp.

Enjoy! and congratulations! H.

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S.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

I think the reason you aren't supposed to use a whirlpool is that you need to make sure you don't get your body temperature up too high. If you can set the temperature I would think you could use it. You will have to check the maximum temperature that is safe when you are pregnant.

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S.F.

answers from Waterloo on

I believe that whirlpool tubs are fine. The reason you are not supposed to be in a hot tub is because of the high temperatures, not because of the jets.

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B.W.

answers from Grand Rapids on

Should be ok, just watch the temp. If you start to feel overheated get out right away.
If anything it will help your pregnancy pains.
Congrates on the baby and the tub.

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S.P.

answers from Great Falls on

The reason they tell you to stay away from hot tubs is how hot the water is. You should be fine if you don't make your water so hot. Congrats and good luck!!!!

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S.A.

answers from Provo on

From what I understand, not using a hot tub while pregnant is more about the high temperature than anything else. Keep your water temp reasonable and you and baby should be fine. For the record though, our wonderful wombs are pretty darn good insulators and for the most part, it would have to be pretty darn hot for it to harm your baby. I tend to like my baths very hot. My husband thinks i'm trying to cook myself. My five little rugrats all turned out fine. Baked, not boiled. But if your worried, just keep the temp reasonable.

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S.K.

answers from Des Moines on

A whirlpool tub is just like a bath tub so it as long as you do not have the water too hot you are fine. The problem with Hot tubs is not the bubbling that they do it is the temperature of the water. It heats your insides up as well as your outsides and for the baby it would be like being in the oven.

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C.B.

answers from Green Bay on

Yep, I agree, it's the temperature, not the water itself (as long as it's clean) that poses the risk. Hot tubs and saunas do pose a serious threat to the fetal tissue, especially the nervous system.

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K.C.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I did ask my Dr about this, because we have a deep jetted tub, too. I took a lot of baths for pain during my last pregnancy. He said that they are pretty much considered to be the same as a hot tub. It's not so much the temperature of the water, but how deep it is. Usually with hot tubs and jetted tubs you are in a lot deeper water than a regular tub.. and when you sit in hot water that is that deep, it's like giving yourself a fever, because so much of your boy is covered by water that there is nowhere for the heat to escape your body (which is not good for the baby). So, basically, hot baths are ok, but you really shouln't make it above your waist. Hope that helps.

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N.B.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I think you are just fine. i think just don't get it too hot, that is the main concern with hot tubs. They are to be avoided in a public setting because of all the bacteria and germs, but your own personal home one should be fine. i also wouldn't stay in too long. It sounds wonderful! What a way to relax and de-stress!!

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L.C.

answers from Lansing on

We have a hot tub outside that I used during both pregnancies, the entire time and even when I was in labor (my water hadn't broken). My doctor said keep the temp at 98 or 99 and you'd be fine. I noticed that my body let me know when I was getting over heated and I had the desire to get out of the tub. You'll be fine with a little whirl in your tub :)

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R.A.

answers from Missoula on

Hi S.,
I used a whirlpool tub the entire time I was pregnant. My OBGYN said it was fine as long at it wasn't too hot and you don't have the jets pointing right up your vagina!! I found it to be THE ONLY place I was comfortable toward the end of my pregnancy.
Hope this helps!

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S.M.

answers from Lincoln on

First, congrats on #4! You're a lot braver than me! :)
The concern with hot tubs is the heat. As long as your water isn't too hot, you should be ok. How hot is too hot?? My doc said body temp is fine but I felt like I was getting overheated in in 99 degree water so I didn't even go that high.

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H.H.

answers from Cedar Rapids on

When I was preagnant my doctor said that whirlpool tubs and hot tubs were ok as long as you kept it cool enough that your body temperture did not raise. So I would get in the hottub at a lower temperture and not stay in very long but I would take my temperture to make sure it never raised. My temperture never raised at all so I kept using it for short periods of time . I do not think that a whirlpool tub could get hot enough to be harmful. Number 4 wow! Congrats!

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C.M.

answers from Milwaukee on

You need to stay away from hot water - don't want to boil the baby they can't sweat in there :) Just like you don't want your heart rate up to high - I think not over 140. The whirltub part is fine as long as the water is not shooting up into you. Sorry - know that's gross - didn't know how to politely say that!

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A.S.

answers from Rochester on

They say to stay away from hot tbs because the temp is usually over 100 and they put lots of chemicals in there your personal whirl pool tub should be ok but ask your OB just to be safe.

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A.F.

answers from La Crosse on

The reasoning behind not being in a hot tub is very basic. Warm/hot baths are fine because you do not stay in a tub (usually for an extremely extended period of time) in the hot water (it cools down and you leave). Whirlpools and hot tubs are made to enjoy intense heat for extended periods of time. When taking a bath, people usually enjoy the water but it cools, bringing the body temp down with it, so you are not submerged for an extended amount of time in very warm/hot waters. The temps in hot tubs and whirlpools are designed to provide continual heat at higher temps. As long as you don't exented your time in your new bath, and keep it at extremely hot temps the whole time, there is no reason you can't enjoy a nice bath. The key is moderation.

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K.B.

answers from Kalamazoo on

The temp. is the main concern. Extreme heat is bad for the fetus, along with raising your temp. As long as the water is not really hot, you should be fine. I took hot showers my entire pregnancy....just not for a long period of time. Good Luck and congrats!

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C.K.

answers from Fargo on

I would think they should be safe just don't use very hot water. Most hospitals use wirlpool tubs for laboring mothers so I don't see why it would hurt.

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S.W.

answers from Iowa City on

The other mothers are right it is the temperature, I don't know what the exact limit is I was ask your dr. The fetus can overheat & won't be able to cool down because your body tissues will be overheated. Enjoy the whirlpool during your pregnancy wish I had one!
Brekka

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