Pregnancy and spa baths

[first_time_mummy]

hello, sorry to bother you ladies again.

But i was wondering if its really that bad to be in a spa when your pregnant.

I went to my local swimming centre last week, and was going to swim and use the spa. However the lady working there reccommended i didnt.

I was a little confused, but listened to her advice.

I am going away on the weekend to a cottage with a spa bath etc, and my sister insisted i dont go near the spa, as it would be bad for my baby.

Is this true? is it the heat thats the problem? or the bubbling motion? or a bit of both.

Im so upset, as i rarely get to enjoy the delights of a spa bath, and now people are telling me i cant...

[Glamourcide]

I think it's mainly the heat that's the issue, if it's too hot it can raise your core body temp too far and do some damage somehow (I have no idea, that's just what I've heard)...
But, FWIW, I spent my wedding night (5 and a half months preg with DD1) in a boiling hot spa bath (I ran the water too hot accidentally because I wanted to sit around in it for a while and you know how bathwater always goes cold so quick?? So I ran it real hot and then sat there sweating for over an hour, had to get out and have a cold shower hahah) and we were both fine... I don't see how a spa could be dangerous as long as it's not too hot.

[first_time_mummy]

oh thank god...lol
I was so looking forward to the spa, and then my sis made me feel bad, telling me to steer clear of it

Im not a hot water person, so if i do have one, itll prob only be warm. I have bad circulation, and even the slightest hot water causes my legs and ankles to go all blue/red and blotchy. also they get very itchy, after i get out of the shower or bath.

DP hates this, as we can rarely shower together, as he has his showers almost all hot, where mine are luke warm (if that) lol

[Lulu]

The heat is the issue - but I would never use a public spa - bluueergh! If you have one at home and it wasn't too hot go for your life!

[SamiH]

Hi hun

It is the heat of the commercial baths that are a problem. We had a spa option in our bath and I used it for massaging my back sometimes - just keep the water temp from memory 37 max (?) I think ....

Enjoy

oops ... just saw snap Lulu

[dust]

you'd just have to check if the water is hotter than your usual shower and you can't lower it then avoid it.. but if you can lower the temp than enjoy it. DH & i had a city overnight stay when i was preg with DD2 we used the hotels spa, everything was customizable so no issues

[~Kim~]

I thought it also had to do with bubbles of air possibly getting into your cervix???....don't quote me on that though.

[Lisa]

I thought it also had to do with bubbles of air possibly getting into your cervix???....don't quote me on that though.

Yep, that is what I heard too. I can't remember for the life of me exactly what it is or what happens, but the bubbles are just as much of an issue as the heat.

[Stevie]

ive never heard about the bubbles gettin into your cervix. have always been told its the heat issue.. DH always gets up me for having my showers too hot i LOVE a hot shower. But i do really be careful.
Honestly, i wouldnt risk it but thats just me. if you do have one, makes ure its not too hot, if you feel yourself getting heated, hop out, or make the water cooler

[~clover~]

Im not a hot water person, so if i do have one, itll prob only be warm. I have bad circulation, and even the slightest hot water causes my legs and ankles to go all blue/red and blotchy. also they get very itchy, after i get out of the shower or bath.

I get that! Well I get really itchy in hot showers anyway...but I love hot showers! I always get out with red raw scratches covering my thighs!


I don't think its as easy to over heat in a hot shower BTW. It doesn't bring up you core temp as easy...well I've never ever over heated in the shower & I have mine very hot, but I have in a not so hot bath.
Never heard the bubble thing...steer clear of the jets I guess?

[SamiH]

never heard anything about bubbles .........

just keep your arms out over the top or something, but honestly as long as the water is not too hot bubs is fine. Hot showers dont envelop you like a bath does so your body still breaths, just don't sit in the bath with only your eyes showing cos there is nowhere for the hot to escape

[first_time_mummy]

lol, okies. i might risk it, and just have a spa on one night. Keep it warm, not hot, and maybe have the bubbles going lightly...dp will prob be angry that im not having it boiling and blasting at full ball, but im sure he'll understand

Also, would wearing swimmers stop bubbles getting in the cervix? I thought all that part seals off to protect bubb?

Im sure itll be right, its not really a public 'public' spa, its at a private holiday cottage, and hopefully the man that runs it has a darn good cleaner.

[Lisa]

The problem with spas and the bubbles is that the bubbles are made from air and if air gets inside your vagina, you could get an air embolism which can be deadly.

Air embolisms can cause permanent brain damage and even death to a pregnant woman and her baby.

Don't sit in a sauna or hot tub. The high heat raises your risk of miscarriage and birth defects.

Quotes from FamilyDr website.

[willow5]

OMG! So could you get an air embolism when you're not pregnant??

[Lisa]

OMG! So could you get an air embolism when you're not pregnant??

Yep, although it is very, very rare both when not pregnant and when pregnant.
The main worry is the air being forced into your vagina. It would need to be forceful, about the same amount as a spa jet would put out, or the equivalent of blowing up a balloon. Something little like a breath etc is fine as it isn't forcing air inside. Obviously this all becomes a little more worrying when pregnant as it can affect the baby also.

[SamiH]

I honestly think that would only be of concern if you were seriously fooling around in the spa - if you know what I mean ....

Again, the temperature of the water is the main consdieration

[dust]

not finding much on google bout this.... but ive messed around with spas a bit to often to believe the whole air embolism thing... i mean thats what pussy farts are for ROFL!!!!!!
not to mention there are sex positions that easily create air up there, but a change of position and well.. lol.. not to mention the cervix is closed during pregnancy, i would think one would be even more protected from air embolism... but i could be wrong..
air embolism • Doctors Lounge