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How bad are sauna's for pregnancy?
My husband and I have been TTC for a few months now. We will not know if we are successful or not until Dec. 24th (at the earliest). My husband's family is Finnish. We are going there for Christmas (on Dec. 23rd) They do not have baths or showers they have a sauna (one indoors and one outdoors). Will it be safe for my baby to sauna while I am there if I keep them short, if I keep the temperature moderate, and I stay on the lower benches (slightly cooler)? I have read a lot of conflicting studies on this the finnish studies say that Fins have a VERY low incidence of birth defects compared to other countries and Finnish women use the sauna from conception through delivery - saunas use to be used as delivery rooms! And most studies agree that our internal temp does not flucuate very much (about 1 degree) in a sauna because our bodie are so effcient at regulating temperatures. So why do North Americans studies say women should avoid the sauna?
6 Answers
- Melissa BLv 51 decade agoFavorite Answer
You have to be careful of your core temp getting too warm, but women are encouraged to exercise too while pregnant. I would say that if you feel comfortable in them and don't feel too warm yourself, then go ahead. Sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders and have read a lot on the subject, I'm sure you have enough common sense to know if it's too warm. Best wishes for a positive result on the 24th!
- amosunknownLv 71 decade ago
Its sitting in high heat that causes the issue. American saunas are all about how much heat you can tolerate to cause you to sweat like pig and expell toxins.
The finns use saunas for many reasons, not just why we do. And theyre pros at it.
Since early pregnancy is the worst time to be exposed to heat, i'd avoid it, but if you can find a way to keep it like a warm shower you'd be fine. I mean, when you shower and the room gets steamy its not like the baby is in distress. you just get dressed and leave the room. You wouldnt turn the water heat up and continue to sit there until you were hot and covered in hot water.
Just use common sense. They say water over 104 degrees is too hot for pregnant women. It does cause fetal devlopment issues, and why would you want to risk it just because of a few undefinitive studies that suggest there might not be a risk?
- DragonflyLv 51 decade ago
I don't think it's birth defects you have to worry about, it's having a miscarriage. I read recently that your temp being over 102 is a problem. If the women there all use saunas and there are still babies being born then it is obviously not always a problem.
- 1 decade ago
Have you heard that New things can sumtimes be bad for the body? Well if you are use to saunas then U and The possible will be fine. Plus the possible will be not formed and should be okay. I wouldn't recommend it as you grow because after all you are American and not Finnish. Good Luck
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- Anonymous1 decade ago
I chose to alwyas err on the side of cuation. Why? Because it is not studied in a controlled setting as this would be unethical to do such studies on pregnant woman and possably cause a birth defect for the sake of sicence.
And, if you've never been pregnant, let me just say, your body will bcome not so good at controlling its temp! LOL One of the lovely perks of having a bun in the oven.
- 1 decade ago
Not a good thing remember baby is already swimming in warm waters to raise the tempeture would be very unsafe, to you as well as the baby, You also become dehydated from being in a sauna not good allthe way round.