Many pregnant women always ask themselves the question of whether they can go to the sauna without hesitation. Even if it is basically healthy, a few things should still be considered in advance when taking a sauna during pregnancy. It should be noted that sauna use cannot automatically be recommended for every pregnant woman; there are very well aspects that speak against sauna use.
Sauna with baby ball?
The bottom line is that there is nothing against going to the sauna during pregnancy. Especially women who have regularly visited the sauna before their pregnancy, can continue to pursue their hobby without any problems. This is because those pregnant women are already “trained”. The body already knows the sauna and will not “cause problems” even if a human being grows inside it. However, those who have very little experience should first exercise caution. Especially because of the hormonal changes, the circulatory system may very well play a trick. Since the pregnant woman has an additional circulatory load anyway – due to the unborn child – the sauna may well increase the load. For this reason, it is advisable that “untrained women” refrain from using the sauna during the first three months. After that, if pregnancy progresses normally, there is nothing to be said against a sweat cure. Anyone who has reservations should ask their doctor or gynecologist for advice beforehand. He can assess the risk – based on the course of pregnancy.
What speaks for a sauna session?
Regularly taking a sauna naturally promotes good health. The body temperature rises to feverish temperatures and the body subsequently activates its defense cells. The skin surface warms up, blood vessels dilate and muscles can relax. The cardiovascular system improves, diseases are fought in advance and the joints and respiratory system are improved. All these aspects are especially helpful for pregnant women. Furthermore, the pregnant woman – due to the loss of fluids – prevents water retention or already existing edema can be reduced. The sauna also relaxes the muscles. This is of enormous advantage, especially for the upcoming birth process. So, if the pregnant woman has been going to the sauna regularly before pregnancy (and also during pregnancy), she will sometimes have an easier birth than those women who have always avoided a sauna. However, the sauna helps not only the body, but also the psyche. Here, the pregnant woman can actually relax 100 percent.
Risk of visiting the sauna
However, if the pregnant woman suffers from circulatory problems or no experience could be gained before pregnancy, she should avoid the sauna in the first months. It is also important to avoid the sauna if it is a high-risk pregnancy or pregnancy complications have sometimes occurred. Also, if you have high blood pressure, kidney problems or varicose veins, it is advisable to avoid going to the sauna until the baby is already born. Those who are close to their due date should also avoid the sauna. The temperatures – in conjunction with numerous aroma additives – can trigger contractions.
Tips for sauna-goers
In the final analysis, it does not matter whether the pregnant woman is “trained” or not – the important thing is not to overdo it with the sauna. Therefore, the following points should be considered:
- No high temperatures: it is advisable to use the lower benches. Here it becomes less hot. Also a vivarium or a bio sauna are sometimes a suitable alternative to the Finnish variant.
- Do not overdo it under any circumstances: One sauna visit per week is sufficient; there should be no more than two sauna sessions per visit.
- The right preparation: who takes a warm foot bath before visiting the sauna, stimulates blood circulation and subsequently prepares the body for sweating.
- Circulation: Those who are lying down should stand up carefully. The risk of circulation problems is higher in pregnancy.
- Avoid the plunge pool: If you like to cool off in the plunge pool after the sauna, it is better to take a cold shower during pregnancy. First cool the legs, then the arms and subsequently the back and only then the abdomen!
- Of course, hygiene is particularly important.Especially if you are pregnant, infections must be avoided at all costs. So if you go to a public sauna, you should always use a fresh towel.
- After the sauna, it is important to recover even at “normal temperatures” and drink enough. So the lost fluid can be “filled up” again.
Steam bath or sauna?
Many women find low temperatures – between 50 and 60 degrees – more pleasant. An alternative is the steam bath. Here, temperatures of maximum 50 degrees are reached. Nevertheless, it must be mentioned that numerous pregnant women – although lower temperatures prevail in the steam bath – experience greater problems with the circulation when they go to the steam bath. The reason is the humid heat, which puts more strain on the circulation. The important thing is that – no matter if one is trained or not – the signs of the body are recognized. Those who do not feel well or think they have or will have problems with their circulation should avoid the sauna altogether. Therefore, those who are unsure should contact their attending physician in advance.
