How to Take a Bath When Pregnant

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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(11 Ratings)

Doctors used to worry about infection, but now baths are considered safe during pregnancy.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Be especially careful getting in and out of the tub, especially in your last trimester. Your center of gravity is out of whack, and you're prone to slips and falls.
Step 2

Consider waiting until someone else is home to help you in and out of the tub.
Step 3

Avoid overheating. Run a warm (not hot) bath and don't linger for more than 10 minutes.
Step 4

Follow your doctor's advice about bathing if you've already lost your mucus plug or your membranes have ruptured.

Tips & Warnings

Light a candle or add some bubble bath.
Avoid getting uncomfortably hot. Extreme temperatures (most experts say over 102 degrees F) aren't safe during pregnancy and have been linked to birth defects.
Steer completely clear of hot tubs while you're pregnant. They're much hotter than your bathtub.

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