Most medical practitioners advise against using saunas during pregnancy. As per the advice of the ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) saunas are not advisable during pregnancy for more than 15 minutes at a time – and if you can do without it, all the better.

It is believed that the high temperatures in the environment of a sauna could interfere negatively with the development of the fetus, especially in the first two trimesters of pregnancy. High temperatures are particularly harmful during the first twelve weeks of development of the fetus and hence, any such exposure should be totally avoided during this time.

Doing anything that would cause a pregnant woman’s core temperature to rise is considered to have the potential harming the unborn baby. Even running a fever can result in harm to an unborn fetus, so deliberately raising body temperature is certainly ill-advised for a pregnant woman.

The potentially damaging impact of heat on your unborn child is not the only reason you should avoid using a sauna during pregnancy. Another reason why you should not use saunas during pregnancy is because it might induce dizziness and utter exhaustion, which are harmful for you and the baby.

Alternatives To Sauna

If you are totally addicted to saunas, you will need to find alternative ways to enjoy the heat without risking the healthy development of your unborn child. For de-stressing, you could use body massages which would help your muscles unwind and relax. There are many professional massage parlors which you will find especially welcome during this time. There are even licensed massage therapists who specialize in pregnancy massage techniques. Alternatively, you could ask your partner to give you a massage every now and then when.

If what you really miss about the sauna is the heat, you could try taking a hot tub bath, of course taking care not to use very high temperatures and not to stay in the hot bath water for more than 15 minutes. Even a short warm bath can go a long way toward relaxing your body and your mind.

There are many other ways to relax and make you feel good. Yoga can be an excellent means of relaxing. Additionally, practicing the breathing exercises that you need to learn for the birth of your baby anyway can be very relaxing. Taking long walks is also an excellent way to relax and distress without putting your unborn baby at risk. When it comes to saunas and pregnancy, it is much better to wait until after the baby is born. Instead of choosing to stick with your sauna habit, choose to be safe and avoid any risks to yourself or your baby.