Rules for Bathing for Pregnant Women According to the Trimester of Pregnancy
During pregnancy, taking care of your body including bathing is not as simple as before. The reason is, there have been significant changes in the body so there are several important things that need attention. What are the bathing rules for pregnant women? Check out the full explanation below.
Bath Rules Based on Pregnancy Trimester
In general, bathing before and during pregnancy is no different. It’s just that, there are a number of things that must be considered according to gestational age.
1. First Trimester
In the first trimester, the fetus is still growing in the uterus and is very prone to outside disturbances. That is why the temperature of the water used must be warm and cannot exceed 39 degrees Celsius. Temperatures that are too high can interfere with the condition of the fetus.
You can still shower and soak in the tub. However, it is recommended that it is only for a while and the water temperature used is better, which is cold or warm, close to cold. Then use regular soap that doesn’t contain a lot of chemicals.
Miscarriage It often occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, be careful with slippery bathroom floors. If necessary, provide a rubber mat for the bathroom or handrails so pregnant women can hold on.
2. Second Trimester
In the second trimester, the woman’s weight will start to increase and the fetus will also grow. You may shower as usual. The temperature requirement below 39 degrees Celsius still applies. So, if pregnant women want to soak, it’s better to check the water with their hands first.
You may use shower to wash and clean yourself, but limit the time so that the chances of infection in the vagina are low.
If you want to get additional relaxation, simply soak your feet with warm water and not the whole body. If possible, add the Epsom salt to the soaking water and let it sit for 10 minutes. This method is considered effective in relieving aches in pregnant women.
Furthermore, if you want to relax, just soak your feet in warm water and not the whole body. If possible, add the Epsom salt to the soaking water and let it sit for 10 minutes. This method is considered effective in relieving aches in pregnant women.
3. Third Trimester
In the final trimester, the body will start to grow and women will find it difficult to move freely. In this phase a woman’s body will often feel pain. Therefore, soaking in warm water is recommended, although not too long and without adding chemicals.
An increasingly enlarged stomach, especially in the abdominal area, requires you to be careful when in the bathroom. Do everything slowly so you don’t fall or slip when using soap or other toiletries.
Read Juga: Is it true that a warm bath can prevent diabetes?
The Right Time for Pregnant Women Bathing
Pregnant women can actually take a bath at any time. Especially if you feel your body is not fresh or sticky because of sweat.
While regarding information regarding the prohibition of bathing at night, maybe this is related to the cooler air temperature. When cold, the immune system tends decreased so the risk of falling ill will also be higher.
Besides that, Evening baths trigger the desire to linger in a warm bath or shower. In fact, this is something pregnant women should avoid because it can harm the fetus.
In essence, pregnant women may bathe at any time, be it in the morning, afternoon or evening. Most importantly, remember to always pay attention to the water temperature, duration, and bathroom conditions to avoid the risk of falling.
Things that Pregnant Women Should Not Do while Bathing
Here are some things that should be avoided by pregnant women while bathing, including:
1. Shower with Hot Water
If pregnant women take a bath using showerit is better to wear shower which is not too hot; lukewarm is fine and don’t take too long. However, if you can take a shower using water that is room temperature or cold, that would be better because it doesn’t have the potential to cause problems to the fetus.
The problem of water temperature is often overlooked by many people. The reason is simple, warm water can make the body relax and pain in the body can be relieved. Even though it’s not like that, actually water that is too hot can have a bad effect on the fetus.
2. Using Lots of Foam
Do not use too much foam when you shower with shower or soak in the bath.
Too much soap suds can cause irritation to the vaginal area and it’s bad for the fetus. Therefore, only use natural soaps made from essential oils. Avoid overly scented soaps.
3. Long Soak
Although allowed, pregnant women need to pay attention to the time when bathing. When soaking in warm water, it’s a good idea to limit the time to a maximum of 20 minutes. More than that, it can make women experience disorders in the vagina and can spread to the uterus.
4. Not Using Anti Sandals slips
The chances of a woman getting injured by falling in the bathroom will be higher if the stomach is getting bigger. Therefore, use special sandals for use in the bathroom. These sandals are useful for preventing slippage and slipping.
5. Using Soap on the genitals
Maintaining body sanitation during pregnancy is very important. However, do not occasionally use soap directly into the vagina. Soaps that contain a lot of chemicals can make the pH of the vagina change and the infection appears slowly.
Thus a review of what can and cannot be done by pregnant women while bathing. Nowfrom some of the reviews above, which ones do you often violate?
- Anonymous. 2023. Safety Tips for Taking a Bath While Pregnant. https://momlovesbest.com/baths-during-pregnancy. (Accessed 17 May 2023)
- Chawla, Vidisha. 2020. How to Take a Bath When Pregnant – Dos and Don’ts. https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/taking-baths-when-pregnant-is-it-safe/. (Accessed 17 May 2023)
- Ginda, Daniela. 2018. Hot Tubs and Pregnancy: Safety and Risks. https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/hot-tubs?utm_source=ReadNext. (Accessed 17 May 2023)
- Knisley, Kimberly . 2020. Are Baths Safe During Pregnancy?. https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/pregnancy-bathtub. (Accessed 17 May 2023)
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