I know hot tubs are a no-no for pregnant women, but what about a hot bath? I've been having back pain this time around and nothing seems to help as much as a nice hot bath, but I don't want to endanger the baby either.

I don't remember hearing anything negative about hot baths, the fact that your skin can stand it, in my opinion the baby wouldn't be harmed as there are layer of flesh before they can even feel the temperature.

I have been told you can take a warmer bath, or even a quick dip in the hot tub (this was years ago also) but you need to limit your time in either. Can you check with your doctor to see what they state? Now that I'm with my second, my doctor has said limits are fine for either, but with the hot tub only if I can change the temp. settings.

Hot bath shouldn't be a problem. You may want to call your OB office and run it by the nurse just to make sure.
Have you tried a heating pad on the low setting? That always worked for me.

I would imagine the restrictions are based on relative temperature as hot tubs are often heated higher than regular bath water. So unless you plan on running it so hot you scald yourself it may be no problem at all. A quick call to the right people will confirm it though.

I was told that a hot bath is a no-no too. If the hot tub was really hot enough to scald you, would you really get in it? I think not.

Anything that can raise the temperature of the body can be a risk. Besides hot baths and showers in pregnancy can cause seriously itchy skin-not good!

I was told by my midwife to listen to my body. If you get out when you start feeling hot, then you will be fine. Just don't ignore your body's signals.

I was told that a hot bath is a no-no too. If the hot tub was really hot enough to scald you, would you really get in it? I think not.


The point Purple was making is that, you wouldn't make the bath so hot that you would scald yourself, so if it's bearable then it shouldn't affect the baby.

I would personally stay away.