In the article – Can you go to sauna while pregnant – I discuss all the things you should take into consideration when going to sauna while expecting. I also tell when it is better to take a break from going to sauna.
Can you go to sauna while pregnant
Sauna and pregnancy
Are you pregnant and would you like to go to sauna? Is it wise to go to sauna when pregnant? Do you wonder if there are any potential health risks involved?
I wanted to find out if there was any scientific research about the topic. I found a few articles online and many discussions on forums surrounding the topic.
Read more: Can you go to sauna with a baby?
Studies and their results
Whilst researching, I came across a few studies done about sauna, pregnant women and the risk of CNS malformations in children. Ulla Waldenström, of Sweden, referred (1994) to a study (Milynski & co) conducted in 1992. In that study one phrase stood out for me; going to sauna in early stage of your pregnancy could be fatal for the developing fetus. I was intrigued to learn more.
It seems that there are animal studies which have shown that exposure to body heat can cause fetal malformations (Edwards 1986). Naturally, it is crucial to bear in mind that tests done on animals cannot be directly compared to humans. However, it seems possible that fever might play some role in the birth of malformations (Lancet 1978, Vähä-Eskeli and Erkkola 1988). However, these studies did not take into consideration any underlying diseases and possible medications.
One could image that in the case of healthy mothers, the question would be easy to answer by doing more exact studies. However, the matters are more complicated.
One US study examined 63 mothers who had given birth to a brainless child. Five of them had a fever during the early stages of pregnancy. In addition, two of them had taken a sauna in early pregnancy. In the article’s summary, the possible connection to sauna was repeated, and the news started to circulate.
The Finnish letter received no response
Finnish experts responded to the claim in a short letter. They claimed that expecting mothers go to sauna regularly in Finland (Uhari 1979), yet anencephaly is very rare (Rapola 1978). The letter received no response or comment. The possible dangers of sauna-going remained in the minds of people.
Finnish research
This inspired a group of Finnish researchers to investigate the issue in the Finnish environment. The study included 100 randomized mothers with a history of CNS malformation and 100 healthy mothers.
After giving birth, trained interviewers went through mothers’ sauna habits during pregnancy. Such as visits, sauna temperature, type of sauna, times and duration of steam, etc. The study found no differences between the study group and control mothers.
In both groups, mothers went to sauna during 90% of their pregnancy. Unfortunately, this study did not reach the Lancet’s news threshold and was never published in the
same scientific publication as the original study. The study was later published in the United States (Saxen 1982).
US studies
There have been other similar American studies (Milunsky 1992), which deem sauna as bad, although in percentage terms there is most likely no connection. For example, if two of 49 mothers admit to having a sauna, the risk ratio would be 1.8%. All in all, that really is not a reliable result.
The body temperature increases from 0.5 to 1.5 degrees in a 70-80 degree sauna in 15 minutes. (Hasan and Niemi 1954 and Vähä-Eskeli and Erkkola 1986).
The result
None of these studies show that going to sauna has any fetal harming properties. The Finnish researchers were indeed somewhat annoyed how the news about the negative implications started and the way the article was written. It seems that the research was not well understood or summarized.
This is also a wonderful example of how negative things get more attention than positive things.
Read more: Can you co to sauna with children?
However, there are a few situations where you should avoid going to sauna:
- Your contractions seem unusual
- You experience high blood pressure when in sauna
In these cases, it is worth discussing with your doctor or other medical professionals.
It is also a good idea to stop if you feel any of these sensations:
• You feel dizzy
• You feel tired
• The feeling of heat is uncomfortable
• Other troublesome conditions
Remember to always listen to your body’s messages!
My own experience abroad
I would also like to tell my own experience from the perspective of a Finn living abroad. Here in Germany, I usually go to sauna about once a week. I also continued going while pregnant. I was a bit scared to go to the sauna with my big pregnancy belly and thought I’d be evicted.
Well, nobody evicted me, but a few people looked at me as if I was doing something illegal (or maybe I just thought they did). I changed a few words with some of the sauna-goers, and when they heard that I am from Finland, they quickly changed their tune. They only said, “You Finns are so used to saunas”.
During the first trimester my blood pressure was really low and I remember feeling sick after just a few minutes. I just got out of the sauna and took a cold shower, sat down, enjoyed a cold drink and that was it.
This phase did not last more than few weeks and afterwards I was able to enjoy the sauna again, and I continued going until the end of my pregnancy.
Summary
Although a few American studies have given sauna a bad rep, there is no real evidence that pregnant women shouldn’t take a sauna. Going to sauna during pregnancy is safe, as long as you remember to listen to your own body. Water transmits heat more efficiently, so bathing raises body temperature actually faster than sauna.
Read more: 5 tips for taking a sauna with a child
Did you go to the sauna while pregnant?
P.S. For the text I used of this article and the studies with real names can be found here.
