Steam Room Use While Pregnant: Is It For Expecting Mothers?

Steam rooms can be helpful for many people. They can ease muscle tension and improve circulation. However, if you are pregnant, you might wonder if it is safe to use a steam room. It’s important to be careful and consider your health.

Before using a steam room while pregnant, you should check with a doctor. There are health risks to think about, even though steam rooms have benefits. It’s crucial to take precautions to protect yourself and your baby. The last thing you want is to harm your pregnancy.

Can You Go In a Steam Room While Pregnant?

Yes, you can use a steam room while pregnant, but with reminders. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, pregnant women who get exposed to heat stress may risk the fetus or toddler inside their tummy. Steam rooms produce heat, so practicing safe use and extreme caution is necessary to avoid the most unfortunate. 

You have to be aware of the potential risks, including:

• Increased risk of dehydration
• Elevated body temperature leading to hyperthermia
• Reduced blood pressure causing dizziness or fainting
• Risk of miscarriage in early pregnancy
• Reduced oxygen supply to the baby
• Increased stress on the cardiovascular system
• Risk of fainting or heat exhaustion

The heat stress mentioned in the medical advice and studies is indeed a real concern.

How to Minimize the Risk When Using a Steam Room During Pregnancy?

While those statements above do not say you are not completely prohibited from using a steam room while you are pregnant, there are precautions to remember:
Avoid Using a Steam Room During the First Trimester

As Johns Hopkins Medicine has reiterated, the first trimester is the most crucial period for fetal development. At this stage, key organs and systems are forming. 

Thus, visiting a steam room during this time is strictly discouraged. Pregnant women can overheat, raising their body temperature to dangerous levels. 

If overheating happens, the life of the developing fetus will be put at risk, leading to possible miscarriage and birth defects, such as neural tube defects, which are particularly sensitive to temperature fluctuations in early pregnancy.

Consult With a Healthcare Provider

Just as you consult with your doctor before you start your gym workout program or before you undergo a skincare treatment, you must consult with your OB-GYN before you start using a steam room while you are pregnant.

Your doctor will assess your health condition, pregnancy stage, and potential risks. Some women may have medical conditions, like high blood pressure or gestational diabetes, that make steam room use unsafe. Furthermore, they can offer personalized guidance and help ensure that both you and your baby are safe while making decisions about such activities.

Avoid Dehydration

Danielle Symons Downs, a professor of kinesiology and obstetrics and gynecology at Penn State University, pointed out that hydration is important for both the pregnant mother and the fetus. 

Heat causes the body to sweat, which can lead to fluid loss. Overheating in a steam room can exacerbate dehydration, reducing amniotic fluid levels and harming the developing fetus. Moreover, pregnant women are already more susceptible to dehydration due to increased blood volume and changes in kidney function. 

Therefore, staying hydrated is essential to prevent complications like dizziness, heat exhaustion, and fetal stress.

Limit Exposure Time in the Steam Room

The stringent rule of limiting your exposure time in the steam room also applies to those pregnant women who want to undergo this relaxing treatment. Or perhaps even stricter.

Moms must limit their time in the steam room to a maximum of 10 minutes to avoid overheating. Longer exposure can cause artificial fever, which can be dangerous for the baby inside their tummies.

Avoid High Temperatures

The ideal steam room temperature for pregnancy is only below 102°F (38.9°C), so be sure to set it at this range before your session begins. You can call the gym staff to set it for you or coordinate with your in-home steam room provider.
High temperatures in a steam room can raise body temperature, increasing the risk of overheating, dehydration, and harm to the fetus, which is not what you want.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Steam Room While Pregnant Under Medical Guidance?

Here is a list of the benefits of using a steam room while pregnant, considering medical advice from doctors:

• Stress-reducing effects
• Improved circulation
• Muscle relief from tension
• Increased relaxation
• Enhanced skin health
• Relief from pregnancy-related aches
• Improved respiratory function

This study on PubMed said that treatments like steam rooms and saunas are safe for women who are pregnant in the uncomplicated stages of pregnancy. However, always remember that using the steam room while pregnant should be done under strict medical guidance. 

Alternative Relaxation Methods to Steam Room During Pregnancy

However, it is still best to be safe than sorry. If you are unsure of what to do and do not have immediate access to your gynecologist, alternative relaxation methods can provide the same benefits as steam rooms. These are:

Warm Baths

These treatments help relax muscles, relieve stress, and improve circulation. However, the water should not be too hot to avoid overheating.

Prenatal Yoga

Statistics show that prenatal yoga is becoming very popular among pregnant women. It enhances flexibility, reduces stress, and alleviates pregnancy discomfort. With proper guidance, it's safe.

Massage Therapy

Lastly, massage therapy can relieve muscle tension and improve circulation. To guarantee safety and comfort, seek a certified prenatal therapist.

Looking for a steam room for pregnant women?

While steam rooms offer plenty of health benefits, pregnant women must exercise caution when they are enticed to follow their old habit with a steam session. Heat stress may occur, so seeking medical advice before using a steam room is essential. 

Should your doctor allow you to use the steam room, maintain safety by investing in at-home steam rooms from GeyserSteam, providing easy-to-install steam treatment facilities for the whole family. 

What are the signs of overheating or dehydration during pregnancy?

They include dizziness, nausea, dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, fatigue, and elevated body temperature.

Is it safe to take a steamy shower while pregnant?    

It is safe, but avoid hot water to prevent overheating.     

Can I steam my face while pregnant?

Yes, facial steaming is generally safe during pregnancy, but consult your doctor first.

Is the steam room safe for pregnancy?

You may choose to avoid this activity, particularly during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, due to the risks associated with overheating, dehydration, and fainting.