Sauna during pregnancy

Nicole Wendler holds a PhD in biology in the field of oncology and immunology. As a medical editor, author and proofreader, she works for various publishers, for whom she presents complex and extensive medical issues in a simple, concise and logical manner.

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Is it safe to visit the sauna during pregnancy? This is a question that worries many expectant mothers. Taking a sauna is basically healthy. However, there are a few things that pregnant women should keep in mind. They should also know when to do without the sweat cure. Read everything you need to know about the topic of "sauna during pregnancy" here!

Pregnant: sauna - yes or no?

In general, nothing speaks against sweating in the sauna during pregnancy. Women who used the sauna regularly before pregnancy can generally continue to do so as expectant mothers, from the beginning of the pregnancy to shortly before giving birth. Your body is trained, so to speak.

If you are new to sweating, however, you should be careful. Due to the hormonal changes and the child to be cared for in the stomach, the circulation is significantly more stressed during pregnancy. Those who only want to start using the sauna as a pregnant woman put additional strain on their circulatory system. Expectant mothers whose bodies are not yet used to the sauna should therefore wait for the first three months. Afterwards, the physical situation usually stabilizes, so that if the pregnancy progresses normally, nothing should speak against an occasional sauna visit. Find out about the correct procedure for a sauna session and get advice from your gynecologist in advance.

Sauna during pregnancy: benefits

The regular sweating cure promotes health. Due to the fever-like temperatures inside the body, the body activates its defense cells. The surface of the skin also warms up by a few degrees, causing blood vessels to widen and muscles to relax. Fewer colds, a strengthened cardiovascular system, fewer respiratory and joint problems are just a few of the benefits that can be observed with regular saunas.

Pregnant women still benefit in a special way. The body loses fluids when you sweat. This prevents water retention in the tissue (edema), which pregnant women often suffer from, and reduces existing edema.

In addition, the muscles loosened by taking a sauna are good for childbirth. Women who regularly go to the sauna before and during pregnancy apparently have an easier and shorter birth due to the relaxed muscles (pelvic muscles).

The psyche also relaxes: the body releases more endorphins when taking a sauna, which has a positive effect on the mood.

Sauna during pregnancy: risks

If you suffer from circulatory problems and you have no sauna experience, a sweat cure is not advisable, especially in the first months of pregnancy. Even in the case of high-risk pregnancies, pregnancy complications or complaints such as high blood pressure, varicose veins and kidney problems, the sauna must not be used during pregnancy. A sauna session is also no longer recommended shortly before the due date. The high temperatures and various aromatic additives in the infusion can then trigger contractions.

To be on the safe side, always ask your gynecologist first whether saunas are advisable for you as a pregnant woman.

Sauna during pregnancy: tips

All pregnant women - regardless of whether they are exercising or not - should not overdo it with sweating. However, if you observe the following points, a wellness day in the sauna can be beneficial during pregnancy:

• Lower temperatures: it is better to take a seat on the lower benches, which are less hot than above; Choose a bio sauna or vivarium instead of a Finnish sauna (90 degrees!).
• Less is more: a maximum of one sauna visit per week and two sauna sessions per visit.
• Prepare properly: A warm footbath before going to the sauna stimulates blood circulation and gently prepares the body for sweating.
• Shorter stays: only five to ten minutes per sauna session; for those who have been trained, never more than 15 minutes.
• Avoid circulatory collapse: especially after lying down, carefully straighten up, move your legs and get up slowly.
• No plunge pool: Instead of cooling off in the plunge pool, it is better to take a cold shower with a hose, first your legs, then your arms and finally your back and stomach.

Incidentally, the child does not mind a slight increase in temperature. A short visit to the sauna (less than ten minutes) increases the body temperature by just one to two degrees. A body temperature of over 40 degrees Celsius becomes critical. If pregnant women take care not to stay in the sauna cabin for too long, there are no health concerns.

Hygiene is important, especially during pregnancy. Infections can lead to complications. Therefore, when visiting a public sauna, you should make sure to always put a fresh towel underneath.

After a day in the sauna, give your body some rest and relaxation and drink plenty of fluids to replenish the fluids lost through sweating.

Steam bath or sauna?

During pregnancy, women find lower temperatures between 50 and 60 ° C in the sauna to be more comfortable. In the steam bath, too, temperatures below 50 ° C are usually reached. Despite the low temperatures, the steam bath is usually less tolerable for pregnant women. The reason for this is the damp heat, which puts a greater strain on the circulation. The dry heat of the sauna is less of a problem.

Pregnancy: listen to your body!

Pay attention to your body's signals. If the heat of the sauna makes you bothered during pregnancy and if you feel uncomfortable, you should stop sweating. If you experience the warmth of the sauna during pregnancy as pleasant, and your doctor does not veto, nothing stands in the way of this form of relaxation.

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