Question: Can you take a bath while pregnant?
Answer:
In the past, taking a bath during pregnancy was not recommended. However, new studies suggest that it is safe to take a bath while pregnant, as long as you do it the right way.
The biggest concern for pregnant women with taking a bath is the risk of infection. However, as long as you aren’t soaking in the tub for hours, your risk of vaginal infection is limited. If you are in your first trimester, you should not let the water get above 98 degrees. Taking a bath in water that is too hot reduces blood flow to the baby, which can put stress on the baby.
By keeping the temperature of the water and the length of your bath time in mind, you can still get the benefits of a bath – reduced swelling in your legs and prevention of premature contractions – without the stress.
