CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

Can You Soak in a Hot Tub During Pregnancy?

A hot tub may look inviting during pregnancy, but it’s best to steer clear. Here’s why.
save article
profile picture of Korin Miller
Updated June 10, 2024
close up of hot tub outside
Image: Elizaveta Galitckaia | Shutterstock

Soaking in a hot tub sounds like the perfect way to unwind after a long and stressful day. But while having a hot tub session or two during your pregnancy may sound like a relaxing idea, there are a few things to know before you jump in. Here’s why doctors recommend rethinking plans to get in a hot tub while pregnant.

Is It Safe to Go in a Hot Tub While Pregnant?

Your back is sore and your legs are aching. So can you go in a hot tub while pregnant to relieve all your bodily discomfort? Sorry to say it’s not advisable.

There are a few potential reasons you shouldn’t go in a hot tub during pregnancy; the main issue is the high temperature of the water, says G. Thomas Ruiz, MD., lead ob-gyn at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. “I’d never tell a pregnant woman to get in a hot tub that’s more than 90 degrees,” he adds.

Risks of Going in a Hot Tub While Pregnant

Again, the big risk here involves the high temperature of the water. The water in hot tubs can get up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit, which is really quite high, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), some studies suggest that using saunas and hot tubs early in pregnancy—especially for long periods of time—is linked with birth defects. Your core body temperature rises when you use a hot tub, and that can be harmful for baby, ACOG explains.

It’s not just an early pregnancy issue, though. “Later in pregnancy, it becomes difficult to disperse body heat, leading to changes in blood flow that could lead to lightheadedness, fainting and rapid heartbeat for the mother and possibly decreased blood flow to the fetus as well,” says Jonathan Schaffir, MD, an ob-gyn at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Related Video

Hot tubs can also contain certain bacteria like pseudomonas aeruginosa and staphylococcus aureus, which can cause skin and soft tissue infections, notes women’s health expert and ob-gyn Jennifer Wider, MD. “If the hot tub isn’t properly maintained, the warm, enclosed tub is a prime breeding ground for bacteria that can pose challenges to treat during pregnancy,” she says.

One more thing to consider, per Dr. Schaffir: The hot tub’s jets could pose a problem. “It’s potentially dangerous for water to be forcibly pushed into the vagina during pregnancy, so the use of a jacuzzi with jets that could force water into the vagina should be avoided.”

Alternatives to Soaking in a Hot Tub in Pregnancy

In reality, soaking in a hot tub is a pretty unique experience. But doctors say there are a few things you can do to try to mimic the feeling you get when you’re in a hot tub.

  • Take a bath. “You can take a warm—but not hot—bath,” Ruiz says. “We encourage a lot of women to do that because you get so many joint and musculoskeletal pains during pregnancy.”
  • Consider a prenatal massage. If your budget allows for it, a massage can also help you relax and soothe aching muscles, Ruiz says.
  • Go swimming. “Floating is an excellent way of relieving pressure symptoms and soothing sore muscles during pregnancy,” Schaffir says.

Frequently Asked Questions

I didn’t realize I was pregnant and got in a hot tub—is it okay?

Doctors say it’s most likely fine. “Generally, the risk is not high if the pregnancy is so early that you don’t know you’re pregnant,” Schaffir says. “However, if you’re concerned, ask for an early ultrasound to make sure the pregnancy is progressing well.”

Can I go in a hot tub if the temperature is cool?

Technically, yes, you can go in a hot tub if the temperature is cool, but you may still want to avoid it. “There’s still the concern of germs and bacteria that may be present if the tub isn't thoroughly cleaned or maintained,” Wider says.Keeping the jets off to lower the risk that water will be pushed into your vagina is another smart idea.

Can I take a hot bath during pregnancy instead?

No, it’s not a good idea to take a hot bath during pregnancy. “The temperature for prolonged immersion should not be higher than body temperature,” Schaffir says. “However, a quick bath in warmer water is not going to raise a person's body temperature substantially and would be fine, even in pregnancy.” If you’re interested in taking a warm bath but are nervous about the heat, you can test the water with a bath thermometer, making sure that the temperature is below 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Soaking in a hot tub during pregnancy isn’t recommended, but rest assured that you’ll be able to hop back in soon enough. For now, try to find a new way to sit back, relax and decompress.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

Sources

G. Thomas Ruiz, MD, is lead ob-gyn at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. He earned his medical degree from UC Irvine School of Medicine.

Jonathan Schaffir, MD, is an ob-gyn at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He earned his medical degree from Brown University Program in Medicine, Providence, Rhode Island.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC Warns of Hot Temperatures, December 1979

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)

Learn how we ensure the accuracy of our content through our editorial and medical review process.

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

elderberries and elderberry syrup
Can You Take Elderberry in Pregnancy?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pregnant woman and air pollution
Air Pollution in Pregnancy Linked to Higher Postpartum Depression Risk
By Wyndi Kappes
pregnant woman applying sunscreen on the beach
Best Pregnancy-Safe Sunscreens, Tested by Moms-to-Be
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
pregnant woman looking at first trimester ultrasound photo
12 Things to Avoid in Early Pregnancy
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
can-i-use-nail-polish-while-pregnant-HERO
The Best Pregnancy-Safe Nail Polishes, Tested and Reviewed
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
The Travis County 459th District Court House; texas abortion laws
Texas Abortion Ban Linked to Rise in Infant Mortality, Study Shows
By Wyndi Kappes
pregnant woman taking a bath
Can You Take a Bath While Pregnant?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
pregnant woman drinking from mug
10 Things You Actually Don’t Need to Give Up During Pregnancy
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pregnant woman getting a prenatal massage
How to Safely Enjoy a Prenatal Massage
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
woman pouring honey onto spoon
Can You Have Honey While Pregnant?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
pregnant woman wearing a sweater and holding a cup of tea
5 Ways to Survive a Winter Pregnancy
By Elena Donovan Mauer
Can You Color Your Hair While Pregnant?
Can You Color Your Hair While Pregnant?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pink benadryl antihistamine pills in plastic packaging
Can You Take Benadryl While Pregnant?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
large concert crowd in arena
Is Loud Noise During Pregnancy Safe for Baby’s Hearing?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
woman using a heating pad on her stomach while laying in bed
Is It Safe to Use a Heating Pad While Pregnant?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pregnant woman with tattoos on arm
The Lowdown on Getting a Tattoo While Pregnant
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
woman putting out a cigarette in ashtray
The Dangers of Smoking and Vaping While Pregnant
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
glasses of rose wine outside on table
The Real Deal With Drinking During Pregnancy
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
woman relaxing in the bath
Is CBD Oil Safe During Pregnancy?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pregnant holding a glass of water while looking at phone
Mom's Exposure to PFAS Linked to Obesity in Kids
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List