Is it possible or not?
The bathhouse has a lot of useful qualities:
- strengthens the immune system;
- helps prevent skin diseases;
- has a positive effect on the nervous system;
- eliminates waste and toxins;
- eliminates uterine tone;
- improves blood supply to the placenta;
- helps with varicose veins;
- relieves swelling;
- steam has a positive effect on the skin and prevents the appearance of stretch marks;
- prevents embryo hypoxia;
- reduces stress and improves well-being.
Despite the positive aspects, visiting the bathhouse is not recommended for pregnant women. Before arranging procedures, you need to consult a gynecologist.
In the early stages, when the fetus is developing, a sauna is not recommended. During this period, the laying of the child’s organs occurs, and surrounding factors have an influence.
In the first trimester, a bath can cause bleeding and miscarriage.
If long before pregnancy a woman regularly went to the bathhouse, then there is no need to worry. It would only be advisable to reduce the number of visits and the length of stay, especially in the first weeks. If the woman in labor was not a regular client of saunas, then you should not start, it will be stressful for the body.
In the second trimester, bath procedures, if the recommendations are followed, have a positive effect on the woman and the fetus. This is the most favorable period.
Before giving birth, you should take a break, because a sharp change in temperature can cause rupture of the membranes, placental abruption, and premature birth.
The dangers of bath procedures for pregnant women
Despite the obvious advantages of visiting a Russian bathhouse, gynecologists do not always approve of “get-togethers” in the sauna and almost never allow pregnant women to steam. Many women are puzzled: why can’t they wash in a bathhouse? After all, before, they object, everyone went to the steam room - from young to old. Perhaps this is the answer to the question. Modern living conditions are far from those in which our grandparents lived. Nowadays, gynecologists note, an absolutely healthy pregnant woman is a rarity.
Meanwhile, going to a bathhouse, sauna, and even more so taking a steam bath during pregnancy is only possible if no abnormalities are observed in the body of the mother and child. Experts warn: a bathhouse can be especially dangerous in the early stages of pregnancy, since in this case the risk of spontaneous miscarriage increases significantly. This happens because the temperature in the steam room is too high for the expectant mother’s body and creates extremely uncomfortable conditions for the pregnant woman, increasing the load on all vital systems. In addition, dry hot air and high humidity can provoke an increase in the tone of the uterus, which is also fraught with termination of pregnancy, and in later stages – premature birth.
There are other reasons explaining why you should not go to the bathhouse while pregnant. Often, expectant mothers suffer from high or low blood pressure. In such a situation, it is contraindicated not only to take a steam bath, but also to generally be in rooms with high temperature and humidity, which is what is observed in the sauna and steam room. Failure to comply with this prohibition may result in hospitalization.
It is strongly recommended not to get carried away with bath procedures for those who suffer from diseases of internal organs - both chronic and in the acute phase. The acute course of the disease can be aggravated by exposure to heat, and the chronic form is often aggravated due to the increasing load on the organs.
You should not visit the bathhouse in a situation where the expectant mother, for one reason or another, does not feel well. There is a high probability that a visit to the steam room will not only not improve the pregnant woman’s condition, but will also significantly worsen it.
Which baths can you go to during pregnancy?
There are different types of baths: Russian, Finnish, hammam, infrared sauna. Which one can pregnant women visit?
Is it possible to go to the hammam?
In a Turkish hammam the temperature is 45-50 degrees, humidity reaches 90%. Because of this, there is practically no sweating, and all that drains from the body is condensation due to high humidity. Therefore, pregnant women can visit such a bath; one or two hours is enough, if there are no other contraindications.
Are pregnant women allowed to go to the Russian bathhouse?
The Russian bathhouse has a high temperature, on average 60-80 degrees.
Humidity about 80%. The body quickly warms up and sweating begins. It is recommended to stay for three to six minutes. It is better to make more visits for a short time than one, but long one.
Is it worth going to the sauna?
You can usually visit the sauna, but this should be discussed with your doctor.
A trip to the Finnish sauna should be avoided while you are pregnant. There is a high temperature - 120 degrees, dry air. Sweat evaporates from the skin instantly, but some remains in the air of the visit. As a result, it is inhaled back and returned to the body.
Infrared sauna during pregnancy
An infrared sauna warms up the body thanks to special infrared rays. They are harmless, but penetrate deep into the tissue. A pregnant woman should consult a doctor before going on a hike.
Disadvantages and risks
Despite all the positive aspects, obstetricians and gynecologists often recommend that pregnant women avoid visiting the bathhouse during all three trimesters.
The high temperature in this environment raises the temperature inside the body, which can be dangerous for expectant mothers and babies.
Heavy sweating can lead to dehydration and hypotension (low blood pressure). Hypotension, in turn, impedes blood flow to the baby.
Also, visiting a steam room can cause dizziness in a pregnant woman.
Relieving stress and muscle pain is very important for the expectant mother, here are some alternative ideas to help you relax:
- taking a warm bath;
- massage;
- practice breathing exercises.
The decision to visit a bathhouse during pregnancy should be made only by your attending physician!
When can you go to the sauna?
Before twelve weeks of pregnancy, gynecologists do not recommend visiting any sauna.
At this time, organs are formed in the embryo, external factors have an influence, negative and positive. Especially if the woman feels unwell. The best option for visiting is the second trimester. Provided that the expectant mother is in good health and follows the rules and recommendations of the doctor.
Recommendations for visiting the sauna:
- you need to cover your head with a scarf or a special hat;
- Between trips to the steam room, be sure to drink tea or compote. This promotes rapid sweat release and cleansing of the body;
- after the steam room you need to cool down in another room, twice as long as usual;
- in the steam room you can only be on the bottom shelf;
- Rubber slippers on my feet.
Under no circumstances should you go to the sauna if:
- placenta previa;
- skin inflammations;
- urinary system infections;
- low pressure;
- general malaise;
- bleeding.
If a woman visited a sauna before pregnancy, then in the middle of pregnancy this can sometimes be allowed, based on her general condition. But you shouldn’t start without experience.
Is it possible to steam?
You can steam, but it is not advisable. It all depends on the general condition of the expectant mother.
Steaming is prohibited until twelve weeks of pregnancy!
Such procedures cannot be carried out in case of difficult pregnancy, varicose veins and other health problems. You need to listen to your body; if something interferes or causes even slight discomfort, then you should refuse to visit the steam room.
With the consent of the doctor, you can take a steam bath for bath procedures and if the mother in labor is feeling stable, but you must not forget about the recommendations:
- The temperature should not be higher than 70 degrees.
- The residence time is two, three minutes.
- You cannot take contrasting procedures, for example, from a steam room to an ice pool, etc. Cooling in the waiting room is acceptable.
- When drinking herbal teas, you need to carefully study the composition. Some herbs are prohibited during pregnancy.
- Be sure to be with someone else. Pregnant women are sometimes clumsy due to their shifted center of gravity.
- You need to steam in moderation, not too much.
- A first aid kit with first aid supplies should always be ready.
If a pregnant woman feels unwell while visiting the steam room, she should immediately stop the procedure, leave the bathhouse or sauna and get help.
The benefits of a bath
The bathhouse heals, as the proverbs say. The steam room has a positive effect on the body of the expectant mother. It has a beneficial effect on the respiratory, cardiovascular system, immunity, and helps during childbirth.
Breathing and heart training
The heart and lungs are subject to significant stress during pregnancy due to the gradual increase in body weight, blood volume and fetal growth. Such constant tension is stress for the body. The bathhouse relieves this tension, improves blood flow, and normalizes breathing. This “unloading” of the circulatory and respiratory systems helps to cope with a number of other problems of pregnant women:
- varicose veins;
- toxicosis;
- headache;
- swelling.
Boosting your immunity is easy
The bath has a beneficial effect on the body's immune system. It helps increase the body's resistance and cure mild colds by uniformly warming the entire body.
It is important to observe the temperature regime. The maximum possible temperature in the steam room for a pregnant woman is 69-70 degrees (otherwise there will be no positive result).
Assistance in childbirth
Of course, this sounds somewhat absurd, but a bathhouse can really help during childbirth. The bath increases the elasticity of muscles and tissues. During childbirth, lovers of bath procedures damage muscles much less often (no tears) and recover more easily.
Is it possible to take a contrast shower?
Contrast showers are contraindicated for pregnant women in the first trimester.
This can cause bleeding and even miscarriage. In the middle of the term, taking such a shower is allowed. You need to start small. The water should be warm to moderately cool. Over the course of several sessions, the temperature can be reduced by a couple of degrees, but under no circumstances should it become icy.
A huge plus of a contrast shower is that it serves as a prevention of stretch marks and cellulite, so it is better to direct the stream to problem areas: thighs, buttocks or stomach.
Main advantages:
- preparing the skin for stress;
- improves skin elasticity;
- hardening method;
- eliminate swelling;
- has a positive effect on blood vessels;
- relieves stress.
Only healthy women with a normal pregnancy can take a contrast shower.
The procedure is contraindicated for women in labor:
- During pregnancy with complications.
- Feeling unwell.
- Having unstable blood pressure.
- For uterine tone and other problems.
Third trimester - at the finish line
In the third trimester, especially after 36 weeks, your labor can begin at any time!
A few weeks before a happy event, a mucus plug may begin to separate - discharge with bloody streaks or completely brown color. After this, you should never visit the bathhouse, as your risk of getting some kind of infection increases.
However, if you have no contraindications from your doctor and you feel great, then a bath in the third trimester of pregnancy may benefit you.
Firstly, it will improve your sleep, because expectant mothers often suffer from insomnia before giving birth.
Secondly, your muscles will get a long-awaited rest. The elasticity of the ligaments will increase, which will facilitate the passage of the baby's head through the birth canal.
If you visited the sauna in the first weeks without knowing about pregnancy
A woman often finds out about an interesting situation in the third or fourth week, and if the pregnancy is not planned or for other reasons this period may be even longer.
The question often arises among expectant mothers: did certain activities harm the child in the first weeks of his formation? The fetus in the womb is reliably protected, but the first trimester is the most vulnerable, because organs and vital systems begin to form. One or two visits to the sauna will generally not have much effect. Again, everything is individual. A healthy, normal pregnancy is difficult to damage.
In women with weak immunity and gynecological problems, of course, any strong stress and changes can provoke a miscarriage. It is accompanied by heavy bleeding and pain in the lower abdomen.
Carefully monitor your health and menstrual cycle in order to detect pregnancy or suspicion of it in time, in order to exclude negative procedures before definitive confirmation.
Hygiene rules
When placing a bathhouse or sauna, be sure to follow the rules of hygiene, even if it is your private one.
Rules:
- Use individual rubber slippers to avoid becoming infected with fungus.
- Put a special hat or light scarf on your head.
- Before going to the steam room or pool, you need to take a shower.
- You must have your own towel, preferably several.
The main thing is to follow the rules and before visiting a bath or sauna, consult a doctor and pay attention to the requirements of your own body. The most suitable time is the second trimester and the procedures should be gentle, without stress and sudden temperature changes.
Baths and saunas are a storehouse of beneficial effects, a place of rest and relaxation. But this can be dangerous for a pregnant woman and unborn child. Before such an event, talk to your doctor and make sure you are feeling stable. If you have any problems with pregnancy, health or general condition, you should postpone the trip.
