Written by Shelia on 27 July 2010
Saunas, hot tubs and steam rooms should be avoided while you are pregnant or trying to conceive. 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.
Concerns about Miscarriages with Hot Tub & Sauna Use
There is an increased concern about miscarriages with hot tub use. There is a rise in body temperature caused by soaking in a hot or using a sauna. A study done by researchers at John Hopkins showed a connection between hot tub use and miscarriage. They tracked over 1,000 women and found hot tub users were twice as likely to have miscarriages. The risk seemed to be highest in the first month of pregnancy. One caution about this study is that the researchers weren’t able to examine every aspect of the women’s lives. It’s possible that women who tend to use hot tubs have something else in common that puts them as higher risk for miscarriage. It is definitely safer not to take any chances and avoid using hot tubs while pregnant.
Concerns about Birth Defects with Hot Tub & Sauna Use
Hot tub and sauna use causing birth defects has been a concern for many years. As far back as 1979, the Consumer Product Safety Commission was warning that in the first three months of pregnancy, hot tub use could also cause brain damage. In 1992, researchers tracking health issues in over 20,000 women concluded that women who used hot tubs or saunas during pregnancy were also more likely to have babies with neural tube defects (neural tube defects are problems with the brain and spinal cord, such as spina bifida).
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 who had an increased body temperature during the first trimester of pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that pregnant women never let their core body temperature rise above 102.2º F. A big concern for hot tubs is they are often factory programmed to maintain a water temperature of approximately 104 º F. It only takes 10-20 minutes in a hot tub to raise your body temperature to 102º F.
So, is a hot bath safer than using a 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. If you feel at all dizzy, weak, or uncomfortable while in the tub get out immediately.
Other good resources on this subject are www.babycenter.com and www.fitpregnancy.com
Tags: 1st trimester, pregnancy, trimester
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Written by Stacia on 20 July 2010
It is important to establish a good support system through family, friends and Mom’s groups. Check out some support meetings for expectant Mom’s. Places online like iVillage and BabyCenter are great resources. We’re building a network here as well. Check meetup.com and see if there are any local moms looking to find others going through this same life-changing event.
The development of a strong support system can help you get through the rough patches of pregnancy as it can be a time of stress, fatigue and anxiety as well as great joy.
It is a time of tremendous change, psychologically and physically. Women need support, both emotionally and physically, through this important life-changing event.
The first place you will turn for help during pregnancy will be your spouse, then your family and your friends.
These are the people who are in your life on a consistent basis, so it is natural that you would seek their support first. You want to be selective with your support system. If there is a person or persons in your life who are being negative, you will want to limit your exposure to them. Surround yourself with the people in your life who are supportive and helpful. It is important to avoid emotional conflict and stress where you can because you will have enough of that on your own.
Other places to build a strong support network are prenatal groups and childbirth classes.
They can help you connect with others who are experiencing some of the same issues as you are right now. Your primary care provider, childbirth educator or hospital social worker can place you in contact with support systems in your area. Many times the friendships formed through these groups can continue long after the pregnancy and birth, and sometimes can be a support system for life.
I’d established early on in my pregnancy that I didn’t want to hear the ‘bad’ stories. I threatened to wear a No Negativity button just to keep people from sharing. What is it with us? We have to share all the pain and details of what wasn’t up to our expectation for that first pregnancy? Umm, hello??? Not all births are painful. Nor do they need to be. Industrialized nations are the ONLY ones who consider birth to be painful and pregnancy to be something other than the purely wonderful action it is. More natural regions, women have babies in fields and go right back to working….NO PAIN. I swear, it’s the media’s fault.
I surrounded myself with positive people.
I warned those who started down the path of a bad story to keep it to themselves. I and the baby could hear them. If I found myself obsessing over something too negative, I leaned into meditating or searching out positive stories.
Make sure others are aware of you’re no negativity zone. Friends and family may have great stories to share, but cut them off if they start to make you nervous. Remind them, good stories only! They’re supposed to be there to support you.
Tags: 1st trimester, baby, childbirth, health, relaxation
Posted in health, motivational, pregnancy, relaxation | 1 Comment »
Written by Stacia on 13 July 2010
It is important to get enough quality sleep and enjoy it now while the body still feels good! You’re growing a whole new person in there, so your sleep requirements will increase for now. Promise, it’ll level back out (just don’t hold me to saying WHEN it will level back out).
During your first trimester, you can’t get enough sleep. If you sit down, you fall asleep.
Just go with it.
Your body and your BABY need it. It is during this trimester, the sleep-inducing hormone progesterone starts surging through your body, and pressure on your bladder from your growing uterus sends you to the bathroom countless times every night.
Three issues you encounter during this time:
- The need to nap – caused by elevated levels of progesterone.
- The inability to get comfortable – sensitive chest, sensitive stomach.
- The need to pee
I remember well, I’d get home from work – which had become utterly exhausting, sit down on the couch and fall asleep. My husband would nudge me about an hour later to see if I wanted dinner. I’d rouse myself even though I wanted to sleep more. Then, the bed started to bother me. We still have all the pillows from my pregnancy. Somehow, we got used to them and kept them.
Some things that cause havoc on your sleep cycles during this trimester include nausea, hunger and vivid dreams. For more information on Sleep and Pregnancy, download our ebook or pre-order 9 Months In & 9 Months Out.
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