Is it possible to take a bath in the second trimester. Water procedures for expectant mothers - is there any danger

Hot baths are well known to soothe and relax tense muscles, which would seem to be considered best advice for expectant mothers. But are they safe during pregnancy? Of course, if the expectant mother will sit in hot tub, then no harm will be done to her personally. However, this can lead to injuries to the unborn child and even miscarriages.

Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia is the medical term for high body temperature. In pregnant women, it should not exceed 101 degrees Fahrenheit, or 38 degrees Celsius.

Risks

The problem of sitting hot bath during pregnancy is that your core body temperature may rise above 38 degrees Celsius. According to research in this area, hyperthermia can lead to various damage to the child at the cellular level and, as a result, to birth defects of the fetus and miscarriages. As grim statistics show, hot baths are associated with a high rate of births of children with spinal injuries.

Jacuzzi and hot tubs

Many hot tubs of this type are programmed to keep the water at around 40 degrees Celsius. And for a pregnant woman, it only takes 10-20 minutes for her body temperature to rise quickly and lead to injuries to the unborn child.

Home hot baths during pregnancy

Relaxing in a hot tub at home is considered safer than whirlpools and hot tubs because most of your body stays out of the water, thereby keeping the core temperature below 38 degrees Celsius. In addition, as soon as you plunge into the "home" bath, it immediately starts to cool down.

Security measures

Is it okay to take hot baths after all? Yes, but: If you are still not going to give up the pleasure of hot baths during pregnancy, although this is not recommended, try to take the following precautions:

Adjust the water temperature below 36.6 degrees.
Limit your bath time to no more than 10 minutes.
Use a thermometer to confirm the set temperature.
Take your temperature after 10 minutes to check if it is over 38 degrees Celsius.

During pregnancy, a woman should especially carefully monitor personal hygiene. However, many procedures are prohibited. So, many questions are raised by the possibility of taking a bath during pregnancy. Many people think that the procedure is banned. However, experts have an ambiguous opinion on this matter.

Can I take a bath during pregnancy?

The use was noticed in antiquity. Even Hippocrates said that it is a real medicine that can help even when other medicines do not work. AT Ancient Egypt take a bath at least 4 times a day. It could spend hours on end, discussing important government affairs.

In the Middle Ages, the situation changed. There was an opinion that water procedures deprive a person of strength. They can even infect the body with deadly diseases. This opinion was spread by medieval physicians. They advised aristocrats to bathe no more than 1-2 times a year. At the same time, it was necessary to prepare for the process in advance. Before taking a bath, a cleansing enema was given. It is known that the French monarch Louis XIV bathed only twice in his life. Both times, the sight of the bathroom caused him panic.

Modern medicine has a positive attitude towards taking a warm bath. Experts identify the following positive features, which lead to the implementation of water procedures:

The bath has a relaxing effect. By washing off the dirt, a person gets rid of the negativity that he had to face during the day. Taking a bath is soothing nervous system. Stress and depression are gradually receding.
Taking a bath strengthens the immune system. The risk of developing inflammation is reduced.
Taking a bath adds strength. This feature will bring the greatest benefit woman on early dates pregnancy. Only adapting to a changed situation, a pregnant woman can feel like a squeezed lemon.

Experts recommend taking a bath during the entire period of pregnancy. However, it is recommended to perform actions in accordance with the rules. So, if a woman observes them, a bath can improve the blood circulation of the body. It has a relaxing effect on tense muscles if a woman has been involved in sports for pregnant women or walked a lot. Water procedures make it easier to tolerate hormonal changes occurring in the body. positive attitude and relaxation that occurs after the bath will reduce the number of tantrums, reduce irritability and the number of unreasonable tears. Additionally, the bath increases the body's resistance to pathogens. colds. This is especially important if it falls in the autumn-winter period.

In the second trimester, a bath can help relieve back and joint pain, reduce the risk of edema, and speed up metabolism. In order for the procedure to contribute to the removal of excess fluid from the body, it is enough to use sea salt.

In the third trimester, a bath helps to relax. Additionally, water procedures relieve the tone of the uterus. They can reduce the risk of preterm birth. Taking a bath stimulates the release of toxins from the body. Additionally, there is a decrease in the manifestation of puffiness. Eliminates anxiety. It improves the mood of a woman and improves the general condition. Water procedures can reduce the risk of developing varicose veins. In water, the body and stomach become lighter. Pressure on the vessels of the abdominal cavity and veins in the legs is reduced.

Meanwhile, rumors about the dangers of the bath are not groundless. Previously, with the help of hot water, women got rid of unwanted pregnancies. Therefore, you need to take a bath with caution. The procedure must be carried out strictly in accordance with existing rules.

hot

hot tub during pregnancy is strictly contraindicated. If a woman is immersed in such water, there is a sharp increase in body temperature and pressure. A similar phenomenon is observed in the fetus. All these factors can lead to a number of serious negative consequences that can affect the various stages of a child's development. If a woman long time is in hot water, this can cause:

the appearance of pathologies in the fetus;
premature birth;
increased risk of miscarriage.

Taking hot baths is most dangerous in early pregnancy. This may cause a miscarriage. The danger of hot baths is explained by the fact that at high temperatures the tone of the uterus increases. This can cause serious harm to health and loss of a child.

At a later date, you can take a bath without fear, but only if the water is moderately warm. With an increased tone of the uterus, such water procedures are prohibited at any time. In this situation, it is better to give preference to the soul.

bath with hot water it is undesirable to take during the period of ovulation when planning a pregnancy. In this situation, it will be quite difficult to get pregnant. Hot water baths are dangerous for men. It affects sperm motility. This is important during conception.

With foam

During the bearing of a child, it is better to refuse to use unnecessary cosmetics. The fact is that most of them contain a large number of chemicals and preservatives. They can harm human health. However, bath foam can be used if it is for children. AT cosmetics for children contains much less harmful substances. It is recommended to use baby soap and shower gel for 9 months.

With essential oils

Essential oils contain strong volatile substances. They have various medicinal effects. So, some oils can tone, others relax. Esters are useful for humans. However, during pregnancy it is better to refuse them. The fact is that the reaction of the female body to these substances during childbearing can be unpredictable. So, a number of experts are sure that the oil, which has a tonic effect on the body ordinary person, can provoke the occurrence of uterine hypertonicity. This will cause a number of complications. For this reason, it is better to refuse aromatherapy before the birth of a child.

With salt

Salt has a beneficial effect on the human body. It can also have a positive effect during pregnancy. If a woman is in salt water, this helps to relieve swelling. It is they who often disturb women during pregnancy. Besides, salty water can strengthen the cardiovascular system. It helps to remove toxins from the body. During pregnancy, it is recommended to use sea salt. It should not contain slags and toxins. Taking a bath with salt, you must follow all the classic rules.

What rules must be followed?

In order for water procedures not to cause harm, it is necessary to follow the rules. So, you need to monitor the temperature of the water. Ideally, it should not exceed the temperature of the human body and be 36-37 degrees. You can check it with a special thermometer.

The duration of water procedures should not exceed 15-20 minutes. This amount of time is enough to take a bath at any stage of pregnancy. During this period, the body has time to rest and relax, but the danger to the child is not created.

During pregnancy, lying in the bath is highly discouraged. The fact is that such a situation is provoked by pressure surges, as well as unwanted vascular reactions. It is best to keep your upper body above the water. This is especially true for the heart area.

A woman should take care of her well-being. It is better to take a bath at a time when there is someone in the house. There is no need to close the castle. In the water, a pregnant woman may feel dizzy. If the door is open, in case of emergency, household members can help more quickly.

Safety precautions must be followed. While carrying a child, a woman becomes clumsy. For stability, it would be better to lay a rubber mat in the bath. In a different situation, there is a chance that you can slip. In later pregnancy, it is better to get out of the bath with the help of loved ones.

The cleanliness of the bathroom must be monitored. It can contain germs and allergens. Bathroom needs to be cleaned special tool. After the procedure, it must be thoroughly washed off. The fact is that aggressive components can provoke irritation. If the water is too chlorinated, it is better to refuse to take a bath. In this situation, the procedure can also provoke an allergy.

During pregnancy, you should not take a bath using products that can break the level of pressure. For this reason, you can not wash in the bathroom using oil:

thyme;
basilica;
rosemary;
cedar;
patchouli.

If the bath salt contains the following oils, their use should also be discarded.

Bath contraindications

From the point of view of medicine, the first and third trimesters are the most difficult for a woman. In the early stages, taking a bath should be abandoned if there is a threat of termination of pregnancy. Its appearance is evidenced by the presence of pulling pains and spotting. In the later stages, contraindications to taking a bath are:

the presence of a threat of bleeding;
discharge of the mucous plug;
water leakage is observed.

Amniotic fluid and mucous plug act as a natural barrier to infection. If it is violated, it can cause infection of the fetus and the development of pathologies. If a discharge occurs, you must refuse to take a bath. In all other cases, water procedures are not only allowed, but also necessary.

Doctor's opinion

Taking a bath during pregnancy is not only allowed, but also beneficial. Water procedures relax, improve mood, prevent edema, improve immunity. Taking a bath can prevent depression and emotional instability that a woman may experience as a result of hormonal changes.

However, it is still associated with increased risk. The risk of injury increases. In addition, exposure to harmful substances and high temperatures can cause a number of negative consequences. A slippery surface can lead to a fall, which in turn can cause miscarriages or various fetal pathologies. High temperatures increase blood pressure and can also lead to spontaneous abortions. Oils, fragrances, bath foams, also part of medicinal plants contraindicated during pregnancy. They can have toxic effects on the baby.

Observance of clear rules will help to avoid the negative consequences of taking a bath. The water temperature should not be high. Additionally, it is worth considering the presence of contraindications and diseases. You can not take a bath if no one is at home. In patients during the period of bearing a child, there is a frequent change in hormonal levels. This can lead to the development of various health problems. The duration of a visit to the bath should not be longer than 15 minutes. Long bathing causes increased pressure and poor health. The procedure should be abandoned if the woman feels unwell. The water temperature should not be below 30 and above 37 degrees Celsius. Warming and steaming in the bathroom is prohibited. Too much cold water can provoke the development of a cold.

Everyday life of a pregnant woman is limited by many taboos and prohibitions. In addition to traditional restrictions (for example, playing sports), a woman sometimes thinks about whether it is worth doing the usual procedures in everyday life. We are talking about taking baths at home. Can expectant mothers do this? Why are there different opinions on this? In what cases is it absolutely impossible to take a bath? Let's figure it out.

The influence of baths on expectant mothers

The issue of the safety of taking baths during pregnancy should be discussed by a woman, first of all, with her attending gynecologist. But without exception, expectant mothers should know that hot baths are contraindicated for them! Such procedures can cause miscarriage.

Most OB/GYNs believe that warm baths after showering are safe for the health of the unborn baby. Just do not lie in the bath for a long time.

Baths have a good effect on the body of a pregnant woman, reducing swelling, improving blood circulation, blood flow to the legs, relieving tension and reducing pain in the pelvis and lower back. As an option for baths, doctors recommend expectant mothers to take foot baths with sea salt.

The risks of taking baths by expectant mothers are that the blood at this time rushes to the pelvis, to the pelvic organs, which can cause a risk. But this warning applies only to the category of too hot baths. If you take a bath with a water temperature of 37 degrees, then the procedure will not cause consequences. Bathing is generally thought to be less hygienic than showering, as bacteria can enter the vagina. But if you keep your feet clean, disinfect the bath itself, then such risks are small.

Rules for taking baths by pregnant women

When taking, a pregnant woman must observe certain precautions. So, it is better not to take baths often in the 1st and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy, because these periods are considered more risky. It is important that someone close to you is at home during this time. It is not recommended to close the bathroom door from the inside. For safety, you can lay a rubber mat on the bottom of the bath itself so as not to slip. It is not advisable to stay in the water for more than fifteen minutes. Before taking a bath, you need to take a shower and wash off sweat and dirt from the body.

In no case should you take a bath if the water has already departed! Shower only!

As a kind of water procedures, you can visit the pool or classes. They have a great effect on muscle tone, prepare muscles for childbirth, and also train the respiratory system.

Aromatherapy during pregnancy

A special conversation about aroma baths. The opinions of doctors on this matter are not unambiguous. Some are opponents of baths with aromatic oils, others recommend them to their patients. They believe that aromatic baths is a deep relaxation, removal of psychological and physical stress. Most often, for the adoption of aromatherapy, it is recommended to use such oils: tea tree, rose, eucalyptus, orange, bergamot, lemon, sandalwood. It is recommended to add literally 3-4 drops of this liquid to the bath. Basil, cypress, patchouli, thyme and cedar oils are contraindicated for such baths for pregnant women.

Important point! By no means even a short time Mom-to-be shouldn't go to the jacuzzi! This is a strong factor influencing the uterus and fetus and a high risk of miscarriage, early termination of pregnancy.

So, it is possible for a future mother to take baths, but carefully, in compliance with the rules and warnings. If you loved to do this before pregnancy, then you should not give up on your habit. Just be careful and limit yourself a little.

Specially for Elena TOLOCHIK

All women love to take a steam bath, especially pregnant women. It's so nice to take a bath after a hard day and relax. Can I take a bath during pregnancy? This question worries many women. Today we will figure it out. Of course, the bath the best remedy for calm and relaxation. But pregnant women need to be very careful when faced with this issue.

It used to be thought that going to the bathroom was simply forbidden. There is also an opinion that pools and ponds are prohibited for pregnant women.

No more than 10-20 minutes

Thought through dirty water microbes or some harmful microelements can get to the child. Some people think that because of the bath you can lose a child, there may be miscarriages. We will find out the truth with you.

How to take a bath

You can lie in the bath during pregnancy. When a woman is pregnant, there is a plug of mucus in her body that protects against harmful microbes. Therefore, if you hear that you can not swim, you already know the truth - you can. No harmful microelements will get to the woman and the child.

There are several simple tips on this occasion. You can take a bath, but if the water is room temperature about 35-37 degrees. Such water does not differ in temperature from the water in which your child is. At this temperature, you should bathe the newborn. Pro .

A hot bath during pregnancy, especially in the early stages, can lead to miscarriage, premature birth or malformations in the child.

Also, you can not soar legs. Because due to the high temperature through the legs, the blood begins to flow more strongly to the small pelvis. And this can cause bleeding, premature birth or miscarriage. Therefore, during the first trimester, it is better to use a shower.

Cold water can cause pelvic constriction, which also adversely affects the baby and childbirth.
You can lie in the bath during pregnancy for a short time, 10-20 minutes.
Before bathing, you need to thoroughly wash the bath, make sure that detergent not left in the bath. It is better to buy more gentle means for washing surfaces, so as not to cause allergies and irritation in the child.
In the bath, you can not lie completely immersed. Let the upper part, starting from the chest, be on the surface. This applies more to girls with high blood pressure.
You can’t overheat, try to stick your arms or legs out of the water.
Be sure someone is at home when you take a warm bath. And suddenly you feel bad.
If you are not comfortable, then you should stop taking a bath.
It's hard for a woman with a baby inside to get out of the bath. Be sure to lay a rubber mat at the bottom so that you suddenly do not slip and fall. It shouldn't slide.
After bathing, wipe yourself with a towel and lie down in a horizontal position. But the most the best way after bathing is a dream.

Allowed Additives

Baths with salt can and should be taken during pregnancy in order for swelling to subside and toxins to be removed from the body. They have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, which helps to relax even more. Thanks to salt, all metabolic processes of the skin become active. Salt will need about 100-150 grams for one time. Dilute it in the bathroom.

You can add aromatics

Aromatic oils can also be used. It is best to use these: lemon, bergamot, tea tree, eucalyptus, rosewood, orange.

However, these should never be used:

basil;
cypress;
thyme;
rosemary;
cedar.

Consider your individual characteristics You may be allergic to one of the oils that you can use. Then they cannot be used. Before dropping the oil, it must be mixed to dissolve in milk, sour cream, honey. At one time you need to drip no more than 3 drops.

You can take a bath with oils no more than a couple of days later. A bath is a great way to reduce swelling, relax the pelvis, and help improve blood flow.

Shower gels can be used, but just pay attention that you are not allergic to it, and it is better if these are special shower gels during pregnancy. They are well washed off and do not contain toxic substances.

Herbal baths are effective. You can use chamomile.

Before you go swimming, you need to brew the grass. It is brewed 1:1.
For one time, you will need 3 tablespoons of chamomile, which are accordingly diluted with 3 glasses of water.
Next, bring to a boil, remove from the stove and wrap.
Wait 3 hours and the broth is ready. Add it to your bath for a relaxing effect.

Useful mint or lemon balm. A bath with such herbs can be taken after a hard day, in order to relax, relieve fatigue.

You need to take 6 tablespoons of chopped mint and pour 4 cups of boiling water.
Let it brew for half an hour, strain and add before taking a bath.

The ban on the procedure

In the following cases, the bath should not be taken.

In the early stages of pregnancy, you should not bathe in the bath. Limit yourself to a shower so as not to harm the health of the child. It must be remembered that the shower should be well warm, but not hot. The pressure should not be strong, especially when it comes to the intimate area.
In the later stages, in the last weeks. Because protective film starts to peel off. Both the baby and the mother can get germs.
If there is a possibility of a miscarriage.
At elevated pressure.
After the waters have receded.

Where else can you swim while pregnant.

Swimming pool. Doctors even recommend girls to go to the pool. Because swimming helps the pelvis to rest. It's good to be like water aerobics for pregnant women. This will help bring the body into tone, give the body physical activity, so that it will have a beneficial effect during childbirth. Exercise in the classroom will help develop the muscles that are involved in the birth of a child. Swimming in the pool relaxes the spine. One of the exercises in water aerobics is holding your breath underwater. This will help with childbirth. When holding your breath, the baby will get used to the lack of oxygen that will be during childbirth. There will most likely be no complications during childbirth.
Shower. Be sure to pregnant women need to monitor the cleanliness and hygiene of the whole body. Therefore, you should take a shower twice a day. Pay special attention to the cleanliness of intimate areas.
Sea. It is very useful for pregnant women to swim in the sea. This will help tone the skin, relieve pressure on the spine, and give the pelvis a rest. Swimming helps during childbirth, because the labor muscles develop and strengthen. Moreover, in salt water it is very difficult to catch some kind of infection. Well, of course, you can not swallow water through your mouth or through your nose. Water helps to relax and relieve stress.
Lakes, rivers. It is not recommended to swim here, because there can be infections, and the risk of infection increases. The pond must be clean if you still want to swim.

Need to know what allowable temperature swimming in ponds: about 21-24 degrees. You need to bathe, gradually increasing the duration. Start with 10 minutes. And then you can go up to 25 minutes. But, most importantly - do not overcool.

Pregnancy is an exciting and quivering month, perhaps the most unusual condition for a woman. The life of the expectant mother is changing, some habits must be abandoned in the name of the health of the baby, and some are strongly recommended to be acquired. It is clear that smoking is a negative habit that should be got rid of, but the correct daily routine and obligatory breakfast will only benefit. But what to do with the usual water procedures that were before pregnancy, which of them will not harm your health, and which should be postponed for a while? In our today's article, we will consider the effect of the most common water procedures on pregnancy, which ones can and cannot be taken.

Shower during pregnancy

A shower is the main hygienic measure that is available to pregnant women and is not contraindicated at any time.
The shower can be used locally, for intimate hygiene and light massage of the chest and abdomen, or take a shared shower.
A cool shower is a shower with a water temperature in the range of 20-34 ° C, a cold shower when the water temperature is less than 20 ° C, a warm shower - 38-39 ° C, a hot shower - 40 ° C and above.

General shower rules for pregnant women:

1. The absence of a sharp contrast in water temperature. A contrast shower is not The best way Refresh and keep skin toned. To prevent stretch marks in the later stages, a contrast shower is used on the abdomen, chest and thighs in the form of alternating warm and cool water (not hot and cold, and even more so icy).

2. Soft water pressure. Too strong exposure to the shower jet can provoke uterine hypertonicity, especially in combination with a contrast shower.

3. Avoid too hot showers. When exposed to high water temperature, vasodilation occurs, which can provoke fainting, especially in the very early stages of pregnancy and before childbirth.

Correctly:

Take a shower 2 times a day
- warm or moderately cool shower,
- do not freeze after water procedures,
- a local shower on the shins in the form of alternating warm and cool water has a beneficial effect in terms of preventing varicose veins, the jets should be of moderate strength and directed from the bottom up, from the feet to the hips.
- the procedure for taking a shower should not cause discomfort, neither in terms of temperature, nor mechanical impact

Restrictions

In the presence of the following conditions, the shower should be as short as possible, and the temperature should be close to body temperature. In these cases, the hygienic function of the shower is performed and any thermal, mechanical and positional effects on the female body are limited.

The threat of abortion or the threat of premature birth,
- placenta previa (thermal procedures are especially dangerous),
- early toxicosis of pregnant women, accompanied by dizziness, fainting,
- pregnancy occurring against the background of preeclampsia, gestational arterial hypertension (high water temperature can provoke sudden jumps blood pressure, which will aggravate the situation and can lead to sad consequences for both the mother and the fetus).

According to indications, a Charcot shower can be prescribed in a medical institution. For example, if a pregnant woman has a lesion of the spine of any nature (for example, the consequences of an injury or congenital kyphoscoliosis), and pregnancy provokes back pain. For obvious reasons, drug treatment during pregnancy is strictly limited, so non-drug methods (massage, water procedures) are used as much as possible.

Bath during pregnancy

Taking a proper bath will benefit the pregnant woman and her baby. Proper bath must be:

With water temperature 37 - 39 C,
- duration of taking a bath 15 - 20 minutes,
- a non-slip mat is laid at the bottom of the bath (you can often find such in the departments of children's goods, then this accessory will come in handy when bathing a baby and if there are elderly people in the house who can slip),
- It is advisable to take a bath while not alone at home. You will know that if difficulties arise (you feel dizzy or it is difficult to get up, especially in the later stages), you can always call for help.
- surfaces plumbing equipment(directly the bath itself, taps, tiles) must be thoroughly washed,
- From time to time you can use ordinary or sea salt as an additive (from 300 grams to 1 kg of salt for a full bath). Salt baths should not be taken too often, 1 time in 1-2 weeks is enough. "Sea" baths have a beneficial effect on blood vessels (useful for varicose veins and venous insufficiency) and can help relieve uterine hypertonicity. Please note that everything that gets on the skin is absorbed into the general bloodstream, which means that it reaches the baby in a small amount, so it is undesirable to use bath foams and oils, bath salts with additives and extracts too. Regarding decoctions of herbs added to water, you should consult a doctor. Herbal preparations are far from harmless supplements, many herbs are contraindicated during pregnancy because they increase bleeding or cause uterine tone.
- Local baths can also be used. Foot baths can be cool, warm or contrast (alternating cool and warm water), with the addition of cooking or sea salt and self-massage with a mitt. Such procedures will help relieve leg fatigue and help fight swelling a little, especially if you lie down with an elevated foot end after the bath.

You can't float your legs!

As a fight against the first signs of a cold, use more gentle methods. Hot water strongly dilates blood vessels, at the time of application, this can provoke fainting or dizziness, while placental blood flow is also depleted. In the long term, the habit of soaring the legs leads to venous insufficiency and swelling of the legs.
Warm sitz baths can be used if you are concerned about hemorrhoids. In combination with specific treatment, regular sitz baths will help relieve discomfort.

When taking a bath, DO NOT completely immerse yourself in it, the shoulders and heart area should be open.

This will prevent the body from overheating. The temperature of the water should be such that you can comfortably plunge into it with your face, the skin of the face is very sensitive and immediately signals the "wrong" temperature.

Is it possible to go to the bath during pregnancy

Banya is a traditional Russian wellness procedure that almost everyone is familiar with. However, during pregnancy, it is necessary to carefully weigh all the pros and cons of this water procedure before going to the bath for a steam bath. The benefits of bath procedures are undeniable:

All vessels are trained, the development of varicose veins and stretch marks is prevented,
- prevention of leg edema development,
- positive influence on the autonomic nervous system, improved sleep, reduced anxiety, nervousness.

However, visiting the sauna for the FIRST TIME during pregnancy is strongly discouraged. Bath procedures can only be allowed for those ladies who are accustomed to such heat loads and often visited the bath before pregnancy.

Sauna contraindications during pregnancy:

1. First trimester. The placenta has not yet formed, high temperature and humidity can lead to fluctuations in vascular tone and provoke spontaneous miscarriage.
2. Hypertensive disease that existed before pregnancy or gestational arterial hypertension
For these diseases, exposure to hot moist air is undesirable, this leads to excessive vasodilation and syncope, hypertensive crisis and shortness of breath can develop.
3. Pregnancy proceeding against the background of the threat of interruption or the threat of premature birth. A significant temperature difference can cause uterine hypertonicity and vascular disorders in the placenta.
4. Preeclampsia. Moderate and short bath procedures can PREVENT edema, but do not treat existing ones, especially if there is also an increase in blood pressure and / or the appearance of protein in the urine. An increase in temperature affects the function of the kidneys, and if they suffer during pregnancy (this always happens with the development of preeclampsia), then such measures will not bring benefits.
5. Acute inflammatory diseases. Contrary to popular belief, a bath and a steam room will not help with a developed ARVI or bronchitis. Keeping the body warm can help prevent illness if a person is cold or wet in the rain, but these measures are not for pregnant women!
6. Surgical interventions and oncological diseases.

As we can see, there are more contraindications for visiting the bath than cases when benefits are guaranteed. If the pregnancy proceeds without complications, earlier you regularly bathed and felt good (there were no dizziness and fainting in the bath), you have already passed the first trimester and your doctor does not mind, then the bath is moderate temperature regime you are not contraindicated.

Take precautions:

Always wear rubber slippers to prevent falls on slippery surfaces,
- do not wet your head before entering the steam room,
- lay a towel or sheet on the shelf,
- go into the steam room for 1-2 minutes, it is better to make several visits than to over-steam in one visit,
- put on a special hat and remove all jewelry,
- keep a bottle of cool water in the dressing room (not ice!),
- for cooling after the bath, it is enough to sit in a cool dressing room. Diving into a cold pool, taking a contrast shower or swimming in the snow is absolutely not recommended!

Is it possible to use the sauna during pregnancy

In terms of pluses and minuses, a sauna is in many ways similar to a bath, but everything is easier to bear.

A dry sauna does not cause such an increased load on the circulatory system as a wet sauna. Contraindications for visiting the sauna are the same as for going to the bath, as well as the presence of rashes on the skin and toxicosis, which continues after 12 weeks. In any case, you should consult with an obstetrician - gynecologist, whose opinion you trust, and follow his recommendations.

Is it possible to swim in the pool while pregnant

Exercise stress for a future mother it is necessary and very useful, but you should not go in for sports, perform unusual labor-intensive exercises. In your position, the load should be smooth, measured and dosed: walking, yoga for pregnant women, stretching and swimming in the pool.

Why is swimming in the pool useful for pregnant women?

1. Classes in water contribute to a smooth and even distribution of the load on the body, the muscles relax, and overheating of the body during classes is excluded.
2. Blood flow and lymph flow are activated, this is especially important for placental blood flow and lymph flow from the lower extremities in the later stages, when edema begins to appear in most pregnant women.
3. Regular water aerobics for pregnant women will help regulate weight, for those who are prone to overweight, this is especially important.
4. Improving blood circulation in the mammary glands (due to the stimulating thermal and mechanical effects of water, as well as due to muscle activity) helps prevent lactation problems after childbirth.
5. Breathing training during water activities helps to adapt future mother for the upcoming birth.

Features of visiting the pool:

1. Attend government agencies or licensed private ones with good work experience. You need to be sure of the sanitary and epidemic safety of the pool. Pregnancy reduces a woman's immune system and an infection that enters the body can quickly develop into a clinically significant disease (for example, a fungus on the feet or nails). In the pool, they must require the provision of a certificate of the established form with examinations by a dermatologist, gynecologist and therapist.

2. Classes must be held under the supervision of a coach. You can visit the pool on your own, simple swimming different styles will also benefit you and help relieve muscle tension, but an organized session with a trainer in a group is much more effective. These classes are aimed at gradual preparation all muscle groups for childbirth. It is possible to attend 1-2 group classes, and then you will repeat the complex on your own.

3. Proper equipment. Your previous swimsuit may not fit due to the increase in the size of both the chest and hips and abdomen. We recommend purchasing a one-piece swimsuit made of dense elastic fabric with wide straps that do not cut into the body and support the chest well; the elastic fabric of the swimsuit should support the stomach, but not squeeze it. The cap will protect the hair from the effects of the treated water. Ozonated or ultraviolet disinfected water is less damaging to hair than chlorinated water, but additional hair protection will not hurt.
Rubber slippers are required. The pool floor is always wet and slippery, to protect yourself from falling, use special non-slip shoes, they are sold in sports stores and will come in handy for a long time.

4. Skin protection. Frequent exposure to water dries out any skin, and during pregnancy, the skin of some areas is also subjected to severe stretching. To protect your skin before entering the pool, take a shower with soft gels, it is better to use baby cosmetics (for example, Bubchen or Johnson’s brands) or special cosmetics for pregnant women (for example, MamaComfort brands).
After water procedures, be sure to take a shower and use emollient creams and oils approved for pregnant women. There will be a double benefit if you use products aimed at preventing stretch marks (MamaComfort, Vichy, Avent, Sanosan, ChiccoMammaDonna, Clarins, Bioterm, Vitex FOR MOM, World of Childhood, GreenMama).

5. On early stages use assistive devices (float boards, sticks, or circles) to practice.

6. A visit to the pool should be about 3 times a week, this number of sessions will be enough for you to improve your well-being and not give you overwork. You can start with 1-2 lessons per week.

7. You should not visit the pool on an empty stomach. Before leaving the house, eat yogurt, cottage cheese, banana, etc. And be sure to take a snack with you, you will strain physically and burn calories, so after class you need to have a snack.
As a healthy snack, you can take with you drinking yogurt, home-made juices-puree from fruits and vegetables (for example, apple-pumpkin, apple-banana, apple-pear, and so on), nuts (a little, nuts are a very high-calorie product, a handful is enough, to satisfy hunger) or sweet fruits (pear, banana). Nutritional recommendations should be adjusted to individual limitations. For example, if there is diabetes of any type, frequent consumption of sweet fruits and juices is not recommended; with gastritis and other gastrointestinal problems, you do not need to drink juices on an empty stomach. Check with your doctor about what you can take with you. Pregnant women need to eat often and fractionally, in small portions. And given the increased social activity (attending courses, classes in the pool and gym, late maternity leave), most meals will take place outside the home.

Contraindications for visiting the pool:

1. The threat of abortion. The threat of termination of pregnancy provides, in addition to hormonal and other drug treatment, peace of the patient. Any load during this period worsens the prognosis.
2. Bloody discharge of an unclear nature. Urgent consultation of the gynecologist is necessary.
3. Threatening premature birth or isthmic-cervical insufficiency. Physical activity worsens the prognosis of gestation. And if there are sutures on the cervix or an installed unloading obstetric pessary, the likelihood of infection of the genital tract also increases.
4. Severe toxicosis in this pregnancy. Small symptoms of nausea may even be relieved during calm swimming, but when vomiting, water activities are temporarily contraindicated.
5. Habitual miscarriages in history. Pregnancy resulting from IVF is also a relative limitation. In these cases, water procedures and classes should be agreed with the attending physician.
6. During an acute infectious disease.
7. With hypertensive disorders. Arterial hypertension (gestational or chronic) or preeclampsia is a contraindication for exercise, even in such a light version.
8. Neurological diseases. Admission to classes should be given by an obstetrician-gynecologist after consulting a neurologist.
9. Vaginitis (colpitis) at the moment or recurrent colpitis during this pregnancy. Inflammation in the vagina should be treated and make sure that the disease does not interfere with the course of pregnancy. Chlorinated water inevitably enters the vagina, which causes dryness and vulnerability of the mucous membranes.
10. Other diseases. There are still rare contraindications to swimming in the pool: some blood diseases, suspicion of surgical pathology, skin and allergic diseases, psychological causes (rabies).

Swimming in open water

Swimming in the sea, river or lake is a pleasant experience. summer fun, which is difficult to refuse even in such a quivering state, but is it possible for pregnant women to swim there? Contraindications for swimming in open water are the same as for swimming in the pool. Precautionary measures:

Control the water temperature. In mid-latitudes, water warms up much later than air. For safe swimming, the water must be at least 22ºС and the air must be at least 25ºС. Water temperature can be found on the Internet, or using a water thermometer.

Go to organized or well-known places. You must be sure of the cleanliness of the reservoir, its infectious safety and the safety of the bottom. We repeat that pregnancy predisposes to a decrease in immunity, which means that intestinal infections that can be transmitted by water are much more dangerous than usual. Bottom safety implies that the bottom is flat, without cliffs, holes and muddy areas, there is no danger of tripping, hitting large stones.

Each entry into the water should be no more than 10 minutes.
- Do not overheat in the sun.
- Do not participate in active beach activities. Jumping with a ball and other outdoor activities are not suitable for you, even if the tummy is not yet visible or it does not yet interfere with movement.
- Do not swim alone. During pregnancy, such a phenomenon as convulsive readiness is widespread. Cramps of the calf muscles occur even in those who have never experienced it before. Cool water can provoke convulsions, especially dangerous if it happened far from the coast.

Self help for cramps:
* the cramped limb should be straightened as much as possible and pull the toes towards you
* pinch, scratch the area with hardened muscle with your fingernail
* take a deep breath, hold your breath, take the “float” position, that is, press your legs to your body, wrap your arms around them and lower your face into the water, and then stretch your legs as much as possible.

Bathing in natural reservoirs a more risky event than in the tested and disinfected pool water, so consider all possible contraindications and consult your doctor.

In order for water procedures to bring only benefits, listen to our recommendations and be sure to consult with your obstetrician-gynecologist, because only the attending physician is aware of all the nuances of your pregnancy. Look after yourself and be healthy!