Often, at the end of a hard day, or when you just need a little relaxation, one of the things that comes to mind is going to a sauna or a jacuzzi to give your body a little relaxation. While that is usually a good thing, you should think twice about it if you are pregnant. This is because this extreme heat can have some effects on you as well as the baby in your womb. But don't worry, these risks can be easily avoided if you follow a few simple safety precautions. Let's talk about this in detail.
How does high heat affect a pregnant mother?
Going to a sauna or jacuzzi during pregnancy means exposing your body to higher temperatures than normal. Since your body is going through major hormonal changes during this time, excessive heat can cause serious side effects.
Simply put, things like this can happen:
| Risk | What can happen? |
|---|---|
| Overheating | In a sauna, your body's ability to cool itself by sweating is impaired. While this is not a major risk for someone who is not pregnant, it can cause nausea, vomiting, and confusion for you if you are pregnant. |
| Fainting | When exposed to extreme heat, our bodies send more blood to the surface of the skin to cool us down by sweating. When combined with hormonal changes during pregnancy, this can reduce blood flow to the brain, which can lead to fainting. |
| Dizziness | Just like fainting, you may feel dizzy due to not getting enough blood to the brain. |
| Dehydration | The extreme heat of a jacuzzi causes your body to sweat more than usual. Your body may also be slightly dehydrated during pregnancy. When these two factors come together, there is a high chance of dehydration. |
To prevent these symptoms , drink plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing. If you still feel unwell or overheated, get out of the sauna or jacuzzi as soon as possible, drink a glass of water, and cool down.
How does this affect the baby in the womb?
This is the thing we need to be most concerned about. Just like when you have a fever, saunas and jacuzzis can raise your body temperature to 38 degrees Celsius or higher. This can seriously affect not only you, but also your baby.
Some studies have shown that elevated body temperature, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy, increases the risk of neural tube defects .
Simply put, the neural tube is the first and most important structure through which the baby's brain and spinal cord develop. If it is damaged, it can cause serious damage to the baby's brain or spinal cord.
Although there is not enough research to say whether the heat from a fever or the heat from a jacuzzi has the same effect, why take unnecessary risks? So it's best to avoid them during this time.
Some of the most common neural tube defects are:
| Error name | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Spina bifida | When a baby's neural tube doesn't close completely, the vertebrae that protect the spine don't form properly. This is the most common defect. |
| Anencephaly | Because the neural tube is open at the base of the skull, the baby is born without parts of the skull and brain. This is a very serious condition. |
| Encephalocele | A sac of brain tissue protruding from the skull due to the neural tube not closing properly. Even if treated with surgery, neurological problems may remain. |
But the most important thing to remember is that the baby is at highest risk of developing these neural tube defects during the first six weeks of pregnancy .
What can I do to reduce the risk?
If you still feel the need to use a sauna or jacuzzi, you can follow these steps to minimize the risk:
- Reduce the water temperature: Keep the water temperature in the Jacuzzi below 35 degrees Celsius.
- Don't immerse your entire body in water: Keeping your upper body, arms, and head out of the water can help prevent your body from overheating.
- Don't stay longer than 10 minutes: It usually takes about 10 minutes for your body temperature to reach a level that is dangerous for your baby. So make sure you stay in the jacuzzi for less than 10 minutes .
- Pay attention to any discomfort you feel: If you feel dizzy, faint, or unbearably hot, get out of the water immediately.
- Don't sit near the heat source: Jacuzzis have a small pipe that carries hot water. Sitting near it can quickly heat your body.
But above all, the only way to be 100% safe for both you and your baby is to stay away from jacuzzis and saunas completely during pregnancy. Instead, you can try something relaxing, like getting a massage or taking a lukewarm bath.
What if I accidentally used a jacuzzi?
If you accidentally used a sauna or hot tub during the early weeks of your pregnancy, don't panic. The first thing to do is to see your doctor and let them know .
Although the risk of neural tube defects is low, prenatal tests can be done to rule out any concerns you may have. These usually include blood tests and ultrasound checks. If any abnormalities are found, your doctor will inform you about them and what steps can be taken.
But remember, birth defects like this are very rare, so there's no reason to be afraid until the doctor gives you a proper diagnosis.
The importance of folic acid
Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps prevent neural tube defects. It's especially important to get it during pregnancy and when you're planning to get pregnant. The general recommendation for pregnant women is about 400 micrograms per day, but be sure to talk to your doctor about the right dose for you.
Take-Home Message
- Using extremely hot places like saunas and jacuzzis during pregnancy is risky for you and your unborn baby.
- Excessive heat, especially during the first trimester (first 3 months) of pregnancy, can cause neural tube defects in the baby's brain and spinal cord.
- The mother may experience conditions such as fainting, dizziness, and dehydration throughout pregnancy.
- If you must use it, limit the time to 10 minutes and keep the temperature below 35 Celsius.
- The best and 100% safest thing is to avoid these completely throughout pregnancy.
- If you have used these unknowingly or have any doubts about this, talk to your doctor immediately.
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