Is the Spa Safe During Pregnancy?
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A trip to the spa can be pure bliss, but when you're pregnant you need to pamper safely. Here's what you should know before you book your next spa appointment.
Why saunas aren't safe during pregnancy
When you're pregnant, it's important to avoid anything that could raise your core temperature. Saunas, hot tubs, steams, body wraps and hot yoga classes are off limits. If a mother's body temperature goes up significantly, her fetus can get very hot and has no way of losing that heat, says Dr. Marjorie Greenfield. "We know that having a fever is associated with an increased risk of birth defects, especially in the first trimester," she says. "And while we don't know if your core body temperature going up from a fever is the same as when it goes up during a spa treatment, it just makes sense not to risk it."
