Can you go in a hot tub while pregnant?

If you are pregnant, NHS guidance says you may choose to avoid hot tubs, Jacuzzis, saunas and steam rooms because of the risks of overheating, dehydration and fainting. There is limited research on their use during pregnancy, which is one reason the advice is cautious.

This does not mean that accidentally sitting in a hot tub before you knew you were pregnant tells you what will happen in your pregnancy. If that has happened and you are worried, speak to your midwife or GP rather than trying to assess the risk yourself.

For future visits to a spa or leisure centre, avoiding the hot tub is the simpler option while pregnant.

Why are hot tubs a concern during pregnancy?

Hot tubs are designed to keep the water warm, often at temperatures that make it difficult for your body to release heat effectively.

NHS guidance explains that using a sauna, Jacuzzi, hot tub or steam room can cause your core body temperature to rise because your body cannot lose heat effectively through sweating in these environments.

Pregnancy can already make you feel warmer than usual. The NHS says this is linked to hormonal changes and increased blood supply to the skin.

The main concerns around hot tubs are therefore not simply about being in water. They are about prolonged exposure to heat and the possibility of becoming overheated, dehydrated or faint.

What does the NHS say about hot tubs in pregnancy?

The NHS-linked guidance on saunas and Jacuzzis says there is little research into their use during pregnancy and that you may choose to avoid them because of overheating, dehydration and fainting.

It also states that a significant increase in core body temperature could potentially be harmful during pregnancy, particularly during the first 12 weeks.

Hot tubs can reach around 40°C. The same NHS guidance says hydrotherapy pools should not be above 35°C and advises that hot tubs are best avoided.

A hydrotherapy pool is not necessarily the same as a recreational hot tub. If you have been advised to use hydrotherapy as part of your care, ask the healthcare professional supervising your treatment about appropriate temperature and pregnancy precautions.

Is the first trimester different?

NHS guidance specifically highlights concern about a significant rise in core temperature during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

That does not mean there is a particular amount of time in a hot tub that can be guaranteed safe during early pregnancy. Water temperature, your own temperature and other circumstances vary, and the available research is limited.

Rather than trying to calculate a supposedly safe number of minutes, following the cautious NHS advice to avoid getting too hot is more useful.

If you used a hot tub during early pregnancy and are concerned about it, your midwife or GP can discuss your individual circumstances with you.

Why can hot tubs make you feel faint?

Feeling faint can happen during pregnancy, and heat may make this more likely.

NHS guidance explains that when you overheat, more blood flows towards the skin as your body tries to cool itself. This can mean less blood reaches the brain, which may make you feel faint.

Getting out of a hot tub can also involve standing up and stepping onto a wet surface. If you already feel lightheaded, that creates an additional practical safety concern.

If you begin to feel dizzy, faint or unwell in a hot environment, get somewhere cooler and seek medical advice if your symptoms concern you or do not settle.

What about warm baths?

A warm bath is different from sitting in a continuously heated hot tub.

The concern is becoming overheated rather than simply having a bath. NHS pregnancy guidance recommends keeping cool if you feel hot, while NHS maternity information warns that bath water that is too hot can contribute to overheating, dehydration and feeling faint.

You do not need to turn bathing into a complicated temperature-monitoring routine. Aim for comfortably warm rather than very hot water, and get out if you start feeling excessively hot, dizzy or unwell.

If you have been given individual advice about bathing because of a medical or pregnancy-related issue, follow the guidance from your maternity team.

What about swimming pools?

Ordinary swimming is not treated in the same way as soaking in a hot tub.

The NHS lists swimming as an activity that many people can enjoy during pregnancy because the water supports increased body weight. The general pregnancy exercise advice is to avoid strenuous activity in hot weather, stay hydrated and stop if you feel uncomfortable.

The temperature and purpose of a pool matter. A standard swimming pool, a warm hydrotherapy pool and a hot tub are different environments.

If you are unsure how warm a particular pool is, ask the facility before getting in.

What if you already used a hot tub while pregnant?

It is easy to become anxious after reading pregnancy safety advice, especially if you did something before knowing the recommendation.

Current guidance does not provide a way to determine an individual pregnancy outcome based simply on having used a hot tub. Tommy’s notes that there is no evidence that occasional use of saunas, Jacuzzis, hot tubs or steam rooms causes miscarriage, while also explaining the concern about increases in core body temperature.

If you are well but worried about previous exposure, mention it to your midwife or GP. They can consider the details that matter to your individual situation rather than relying on a general rule online.

If you feel unwell, have a high temperature or have another pregnancy symptom that concerns you, seek appropriate medical advice.

Planning a spa day while pregnant

Pregnancy does not necessarily mean you have to skip the whole spa experience, but it is worth checking what each facility offers before booking.

You could ask which areas are heated and whether there are cooler relaxation spaces or a standard swimming pool. If you are booking a treatment, tell the therapist or spa that you are pregnant so they can explain whether the treatment is suitable and whether they have pregnancy-specific policies.

Avoid assuming that a treatment is suitable simply because a spa markets it to pregnant customers. If it involves significant heat or you have a medical or pregnancy-related concern, check with your midwife or another appropriate healthcare professional.

When to get professional advice

Speak to your midwife, GP or maternity unit if you have used a hot tub and feel unwell, are concerned about overheating, or are worried about how an exposure may relate to your pregnancy.

Tommy’s advises contacting your GP, midwife or hospital maternity unit if your temperature is above 37.5°C, even without other cold or flu symptoms.

Seek medical advice for dizziness or fainting that concerns you, particularly if it persists or is accompanied by other symptoms.

Pregnancy symptoms should not automatically be blamed on heat. The NHS advises seeking help for symptoms that may need assessment during pregnancy. If you are unsure what level of care you need, contact your maternity unit, GP or NHS 111. Call 999 for a life-threatening emergency.