Is sauna safe during pregnancy?

Sauna bathing in general brings with it a number of benefits beneficial to human health. There are several types of saunas that have different heating technologies and the temperature to which the human body is exposed. They also differ in the benefits they bring. The most famous are Finnish sauna, steam sauna, dry sauna, infrared sauna, bio sauna or herbal sauna. And what about the sauna during pregnancy? There are two opinions, both in the lay and professional public. Is sauna a risk during pregnancy?

Just a few years ago, the opinion on sauna use during pregnancy was unequivocal. In most cases, experts and the public agreed that the sauna during pregnancy poses a risk. Today, there are opinions that a sauna can be a benefit for pregnant women under certain circumstances. Above all, in Europe and especially in its Scandinavian part, opinions about the positive effects of the sauna during pregnancy prevail. Attention, but not in all circumstances.

Sauna during pregnancy is not suitable for those women who have never visited a sauna before. They should not try such a new activity during this period. Women who used to visit the sauna before pregnancy can enjoy a stay in the sauna, to a reasonable extent. The sauna is also not suitable for women with a high-risk pregnancy, imminent premature birth, high blood pressure or symptoms of illness. In any case, we recommend that before a woman in the second state decides to stay in a sauna, she consults her doctor.

New research on saunas and hot baths also shows that they are not dangerous for women, but it is necessary not to expose yourself to staying in a sauna or in hot water for a long time. The stay in the sauna should not last longer than 20 minutes in total, and the pregnant woman should not complete more than two consecutive cycles. One sauna should therefore not last more than 10 minutes. After the sauna, the woman should moisten herself with lukewarm water (not cold or icy, so as not to cause heat shock) and take a sufficient amount of fluids. During the sauna, the body heats up and blood vessels expand, which can lead to a decrease in blood pressure and worsening of blood circulation in the limbs. This can be dangerous for pregnant women because it can cause a lack of distributed oxygen and nutrients for the fetus. The body of a pregnant woman should not reach a body temperature above 39 °C.

American experts are of the opinion that the sauna is inappropriate during pregnancy. They point to the possible collapse of a pregnant woman and the unhygienic nature of such spaces. A frequent argument is that the woman's body can overheat and, consequently, the fetus in the womb can overheat. These arguments regarding the overheating of the fetus have not yet been scientifically proven. It is important to follow the drinking regime. Saunas are generally not recommended during the first trimester, when women experience stronger pregnancy symptoms. It is ideal to start with the sauna in the middle of the second trimester, but in an appropriate degree and intensity.

The opinions of women in the debates vary very similarly. Some women are afraid of the sauna during pregnancy, others cannot praise it. The discussants also point to the benefits of saunas. For many women, a sauna during pregnancy is a place for rest and relaxation. However, the discussants emphasize that women who have not visited a sauna before should not start with sauna. It is also necessary to be careful about improper use of the sauna during pregnancy. There should be no sudden changes in temperature, cooling down in snow or ice water is not suitable. Be careful not to overheat the body. Some posts talk about excessive strain on the body. A suitable alternative can be a biosauna, the temperature of which does not exceed 60 °C.

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