Risks and Safety Concerns of Using Hot Tubs While Pregnant For many pregnant women, sitting in a hot tub sounds like a great way to ease muscle aches related to pregnancy. It is important to use caution when choosing a hot tub for relaxation and pain relief. Hot tubs can cause hyperthermia, which is an abnormally high body temperature. What are the concerns about being pregnant in a hot tub? According to the Organization of Teratology Information Services (OTIS), a body temperature of 101º F and above can raise concerns during pregnancy. Some studies have shown an increased risk of birth defects in babies of women who had an increased body temperature during the first trimester of pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) states that becoming overheated in a hot tub is not recommended during pregnancy. ACOG also recommends that pregnant women never let their core body temperature rise above 102.2º F. Although the specific degree differs, both OTIS and ACOG attest to the concern related to hot tub use during pregnancy.
Hot tubs are often factory programmed to maintain a water temperature of approximately 104º F. It takes only 10-20 minutes in a hot tub to raise your body temperature to 102º F or higher. To maintain a steady temperature, water is circulated and re-circulated through the hot tub to pump out cold water and pump in hot water. Hot Bath vs. Hot Tub? A hot bath, which is not uncomfortable or scalding, is a safer way to relax. In a bath much of your upper body will remain out of the water, making you less likely to overheat. Additionally, the water in a bath begins to cool off, as opposed to a hot tub, further reducing any risk of overheating. Reducing the Health Risks Although the Association does not recommend using hot tubs during pregnancy, here are some steps you can take to reduce any risk: Re-program your hot tub to maintain a lower temperature. Limit time in a hot tub to 10 minutes or less. Monitor the temperature of the water by dipping a thermometer in the hot tub.
Monitor your body temperature to avoid overheating. Pay attention to warning signs such as becoming uncomfortable or if you stop sweating. Compiled using information from the following sources: Planning Your Pregnancy and Birth Third Ed. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CH. 5. Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn: The Complete Guide. Simkin, Penny P.T., et al, CH. 5. We offer the largest selection of designs. From classic, contemporary, traditional or the most unique stylistic design. Submerge yourself in an environment to fit your personal needs. From the serenity of a soaking bath, the rejuvenating sensation of our Airbath, the invigorating massage of a whirlpool and the ultimate pampering of the combination system. We provide you with the comprehensive palette of designs, sizes, bathing systems, features and accessories to choose from. Personalize your style, space to reflect your taste. Standard Single Thrsh w/Seat Lo - Profile Tub Edge
Shower Base Splash Track Waste & Overflow Styles a bath in Japan is serious business. The Japanese bathtub, known as ofuro in Japanese, plays a role in three distinct aspects of Japanese culture: the private home, the public Japanese bath house, and onsen In each case the Japanese bath experience amounts to much more thanMany Japanese people view sitting in their ofuro soaking tubs as a must-do daily ritual similar to eating or sleeping. For those individuals bathing is something that they must do to feelOther Japanese people look at bathing as a socialMany parents bathe with their children, enjoying the experience and feeling it builds better relationships between familyEven co-workers might bathe together when they go to an onsen resort on a company junket, or when they visit a hotel's sento public bath during a business trip. There are several differences between the Japanese bath and Western ones. Japanese soaking tubs are generally much deeper, so someone sitting in the
tub can easily sink down with the water at chin level. bath water also tends to be much hotter than what Westerners normally find comfortable. The extra water volume (deeper tubs) and the hotter water temperature means that "conserving" the hot water becomes something of a priority. Japanese bathtubs are often installed in a fairly large room that has an alcove "changing area" beside it. There is never a toilet in the roomTo most Japanese people it seems crazy - and even somewhat embarrassing - when Westerners put toilets in the same room where you are trying to wash. Ofuro soaking tubs are usually surrounded by a tile floor andFixed to one wall will be a shower with a flexibleThere will likely be a wooden or plastic stool to sit on, and without exception there will be a drain in the floor between the shower and theThis floor drain is an extremely important aspect of the set-up. The floor drain is important for two reasons: First, the Japanese people soap down and
wash off at that shower before getting into the tub. "waste water" flows off their bodies and down into the floor drain. Because the hot "soaking" water remains clean, a series of bathers can use the same soaking water throughout the day or evening. Secondly, the floor drain can easily catch any runoff from the tub. Bathers can fill that deep tub up to the brim, and if some water flows off,The floor drain eliminates any need for a shower curtain orThis makes the room feel expansive, and it allows for garden windows to be installed on at least one wall beside the soaking Ofuro tubs come in many different shapes and sizes, but the general concepts described above apply to all Japanese baths. large sento public baths that can handle dozens of customers. It also includes naturalistic outdoor onsen baths where the hot water used in the bathtub is heated by geothermal activity. JOJG runs occasional article about the Japanese bath, and more articles
are planned for the future. The articles can generally be grouped into OFURO These articles discuss the Japanese bath as it is found in ordinary Japanese homes. These articles tend to focus on the differences between the traditional Japanese bath and the ordinary WesternIf you are visiting Japan, or if you hope to have a Japanese bath in your own home, it helps to understand the Japanese tradition as it is found in millions of homes from Hokkaido to Okinawa. SENTO A few decades ago there were public baths called sento in every Japanese neighborhood. These baths played a significant social role in Japanese culture. They also provided aEach year there are fewer public baths in Japan's neighborhoods, but they can still be found here and there. These articles explain the sento tradition and how to enjoy a Japanese public bath when the opportunity arises. ONSEN Literally speaking, the word onsen refers to is
a Japanese bath where the "soaking" water is heated by geothermal means. In other words, the hot water comes right out of the ground. the water is often imbued with various minerals and aromas that some peopleSome onsen are even thought to help the curing process for various diseases. ONSEN RESORTS The word onsen can also refer to a mountain resort where vacationers go to enjoy onsen baths. quite common in Japan, and every prefecture has one or more regions populated with ryokan hotels and onsen spas that are set in fabulous outdoorVisiting onsen resorts is a serious hobby in Japan, and various magazines and guidebooks exist to help vacationers decide where to SIGNIFICANCE OF THE JAPANESE BATH In Japan the bathing experience involves much more than just getting wet and washing off. To many Western eyes the Japanese bath routine can seem almost seem like aThese articles explain why Japanese people are so serious