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Can pregnant women take a bath? Basic rules that should be followed by pregnant women taking a bath. SPA and pregnancy or Do's and don'ts during pregnancy

Water procedures can wake us up in the morning, relieve fatigue and relax after a busy day. All this is very important for pregnant women and young mothers, because their body works for two, which means that they need several times more strength and energy.

If the baths during pregnancy, and even for some time after childbirth, experts advise not to abuse, then you can enjoy taking a shower at any time in your life. And by replacing the usual shower head with a hydromassage one, you will also combine business with pleasure. During pregnancy, hydromassage can help you relieve stress, relieve insomnia, and strengthen the walls of your blood vessels. After giving birth, with its help, you can maintain a beautiful breast shape and get rid of a few extra pounds.
The principle of operation of any hydromassage is based on the effect on the body of jets of water of different strength. And if your bathroom doesn't have enough room to install a full shower enclosure, there are more affordable and economical options available.

Shower head
A quality model can replace a whole shower complex. At the same time, several massage modes are far from the only advantage of modern attachments. Some of them have a built-in water purification and saving system.

What is she capable of?
Classic typethe jet offers even the simplest model. Designed primarily for simple hygiene procedures.
Pulsating jet best suited to invigorate in the morning, get rid of lethargy and drowsiness. This type of jet is also useful after sports and regular exercises.
Soft typethe jet relaxes well in the evening and before bed. Due to its richness with air bubbles, it is ideal for shampooing.
Mono-jet has a targeted and gentle therapeutic effect.

Shower panel
It has a compact size. Has several vertical nozzles and an overhead shower. It can be easily installed in any place convenient for you. “There are several criteria by which you should choose a shower panel,” explains Mikhail Permyakov, Marketing Director of Aquadom. - First of all, pay attention to how wide the range of types of overhead shower is. The number of nozzles is also important - the optimal number is 6–8. Pay attention to the number of holes in the large nozzles. If their number is 20-30, and the water pressure in the pipes of your house is not high, they will not be able to provide a decent quality of massage.
The presence of a thermostat is also important, especially for installation in old houses, where the water pressure often drops - it will protect the skin from burns. "

What is she capable of?
In addition to several types of overhead showers, shower panels are equipped with jets. They differ in their purpose: for lateral, back massage, for neck and shoulder massage. If the model has 5–6 jets, you can turn them on at the same time - this will provide a full body hydromassage. In some models, you can adjust the pressure of the jet: make it very thin or increase the power of the water supply.

Hydromassage during pregnancy
Before deciding on such procedures, be sure to consult your doctor. Hydromassage in an "interesting" position has many contraindications, in particular due to the threat of miscarriage. Foot massage is contraindicated if you have varicose veins. From a medical point of view, there are several rules for conducting hydromassage for pregnant women.

✔ Expectant mothers are allowed to massage only the upper back (up to the lower back), arms and legs. Exposure to other parts of the body can trigger preterm labor.
✔ Hydromassage is always carried out from the periphery to the center of the body,
that is, to the heart. And the massage stream itself should be directed tangentially.
✔ The water temperature should not be higher than + 38 ° С. The duration of the procedure itself is at least 5 minutes, only then it will be possible to achieve the desired effect.
✔Massage should be started with the lowest level of jet pressure. When it is not annoying, its strength can be increased.
✔Never use the nozzle modes with high pressure and pressure. Due to hormonal changes, the vascular walls are now quite fragile, there is a risk of vascular networks on the body.

Back pain
In order to relieve discomfort in the lower back, it is not necessary to rub this particular area. You can massage the collar area - neck and shoulders. There are many reflexogenic points here, which is why such hydromassage will bring tangible relaxation to the whole body and, moreover, improve blood circulation.

For the prevention of edema and varicose veins
It should be carried out with a tight stream of water from the bottom up. If you are concerned about swelling, it is good to have a contrast shower. The upper water temperature should be + 38 ° С, the lower one is most comfortable for you - about + 25-30 ° С.

For the prevention of stretch marks
A contrast shower is also suitable for these purposes. In this case, it is necessary to massage the skin with warm and cool water with increasing duration - switching the water from one temperature to another should be done after 30-50-70 seconds.

Remove unnecessary
Exfoliation is best combined with showering. After all, it is upon contact with water that many components of exfoliating agents are activated.
✔ Organic peeling is suitable for the whole body. It does not include
less than 70% of components of plant origin.
✔For legs, especially for hardened
parts of the foot, use a salt peeling, for example, with Dead Sea salt crystals. Minerals and trace elements of these products improve the functioning of the lymphatic system.
✔For hands, you need to choose a gentle peeling, for example, sugar. It perfectly nourishes the skin, which is often exposed to external influences. The scrub will quickly restore softness and tenderness.

Our expert:
Olga Panteleeva, training manager, SPARITUAL:
“During pregnancy and lactation, the nutrients received by the mother's body are spent on the development of the fetus and the growth of the newborn. All this affects the condition of the skin: it flakes off, there is a feeling of tightness and burning. Consider this when choosing exfoliating products. Give preference to organic scrubs - solids must be of natural origin - salt, seed and nut shells, fossilized algae. It is good if peeling performs another function - it nourishes. These scrubs contain vitamin complexes, natural extracts and essential oils, which additionally enrich the skin with useful substances. "

Hydromassage after childbirth
Usually, hydromassage can be done 1-2 weeks after the baby is born. Moreover, if during pregnancy there was a ban on massage of some zones, after childbirth it is removed. In any case, before proceeding with the procedure, be sure to consult with your gynecologist.

For quick recovery after childbirth
Hydromassage will help the internal organs displaced during pregnancy to return to their original places and will save you from a couple of centimeters in the waist area. Shower movements should be strictly clockwise, and its distance from the skin should be less than 50 cm.After several sessions, you can increase the water pressure and the distance from the abdomen to 80 cm.

To maintain the shape of the breast
Massage with a diffused stream will be most effective. Draw it up: from the bottom ribs to the shoulders. The water pressure should be of medium strength, and the trickles should beat upward, as if lifting the chest. Then make several clockwise circular motions with the jet. After that, with a stronger pressure of water, massage the areas of the pectoral muscles: under the breast and the décolleté.

For getting rid of cellulite
This is just the case when you need a fairly active impact and will have to place a pulsating type of jet with a strong pressure of water. In order to determine where you have the main deposits of cellulite, run the stream over your thighs and buttocks. Where it is, the skin will turn pink very slowly. Pay special attention to these areas.

Body time
Each shower "takes" nutrients from the skin, such as fat and moisture. Creams and body milk will help you restore them. They form a thin film on the surface of the skin, which protects it from drying out and exposure to an aggressive environment. In addition, all body creams have moisturizing and nourishing properties.
Body care products are oil and water based emulsions. If there is a lot of oil in a cream or milk, such a product is perfect for dry and sensitive skin, protecting it from excessive loss of moisture and fat. If it contains a lot of water (up to 70%), it is suitable for all skin types. Such products are well absorbed and do not leave an oily sheen.

Water treatments should be an integral part of body care during pregnancy, because the skin sweats more , metabolizes substances more actively and becomes more sensitive to irritations and changes in the external environment. It is important to keep it clean, and this is aided by daily baths or showers.

But many pregnant women are afraid to take a bath or a hot shower, are their fears justified?

Taking a bath

Many women have heard the myth about the dangers of bathing during pregnancy and deny themselves this pleasure for all nine months. This is wrong: a bath during pregnancy is quite acceptable, only basic precautions are needed.

What you can't do is take very hot baths, especially in the first trimester, when there is a high risk of spontaneous miscarriage due to sudden temperature changes. Taking a regular bath filled with warm water is quite acceptable, just do not lie in it for an hour, 10-15 minutes is enough.

Immerse yourself in the bath to just above the breasts, with your shoulders and neck on the surface to avoid overheating.

Bath is a thing enough dangerous for pregnant women , it can be slippery, you don't need to fall. For longer periods, the stomach makes you less agile and the risk of falls is higher. The solution may be rubber slippers or a rubber bath mat.

In addition, when taking a bath, do not close yourself and have someone close to you at home. This will make you feel safer and more confident. You should not take a bath with a jacuzzi or hydromassage, many doctors note the negative effect of these procedures.

Very helpful foot baths and for hands, it is a relaxing and caring remedy. In the later stages, foot baths with sea salt will relieve swelling and fatigue.

Bath and sauna trips

Is it possible to swim during pregnancy

Hiking in bath and sauna for expectant mothers, this is not a prohibited procedure, but with strict reservations. A doctor's consultation is required beforehand, since thermal procedures are contraindicated in case of a threat of termination of pregnancy, increased pressure, in case of violations in fetal development, placenta previa.

If there were previously threats or bleeding, it is better not to risk it. Moreover, the bathhouse has long become not the place where people wash, but the place where they rest. Also, you shouldn't go there if you are expecting your first child.

You can go to the bathhouse no more than once every 7-10 days, the main thing is to do everything in moderation. You need to go into a not very hot steam room and be on the bottom shelf with your head covered. Hygiene is also important - don't forget your slippers and put a towel on the shelf.

In the steam room, monitor your well-being - if it becomes bad, immediately leave. By the way, you cannot abruptly get up from the steam room under a cold shower (only under a warm one!), As well as dive into a cold pool.

You need to drink a lot when visiting a steam room, so as not to lose fluid - this complicates the condition of the pregnant woman.

Swimming pool during pregnancy

Many women are afraid to visit the pool, to which they are used to before pregnancy, and it is completely in vain. Swimming in the pool is one of the means to improve well-being, a method of preparing for childbirth and muscle training.

The pool generally has a beneficial effect on the development and course of pregnancy, but only in the absence of complications. Contraindications to visiting a pregnant pool may be the threat of termination of pregnancy, bleeding, uterine hypertonicity and placenta previa.

Swimming in the pool is best done in groups especially for pregnant women, the second option is to swim under the guidance of an instructor (the sensations are different in the water, and you can overwork). In addition, for pregnant women there are separate courses in aqua gymnastics and aqua aerobics, which help in strengthening muscles, preparing the body for childbirth and preventing fetal hypoxia. You can swim in the pool from conception to the last days before childbirth.

Pool selection

Choosing a pool during pregnancy should be more careful than under normal conditions.

Traditionally, the daily routine of pregnant women is limited by all sorts of prohibitions and many are not even surprised at some curiosities. For a long time, there was an opinion that pregnant women should not take a bath, take a steam bath, but generally swim in any body of water, since the water contains a huge number of pathogens of various kinds of diseases that through the genital tract can penetrate into the womb and cause damage to health, and also provoke gynecological diseases and inflammation.

Today, from a medical point of view, it has long been proven that the above statement is nothing more than nonsense. In fact, even if a small amount of dirty water gets into intimate places, the protective effect of the mucous plug in the cervix will prevent bacteria from harming the fetus. Now doctors are more inclined to the fact that taking water procedures, visiting the swimming pool for pregnant women is very useful, and a home bath is an excellent way to solve problems with swelling, back pain, stress, fatigue.

In a woman's body, both in the late and early periods, many changes occur. Most women claim that sweating increases significantly during pregnancy, while a previously unpleasant odor appears. The intensity of vaginal discharge also increases, and frequent urination should be added to this phenomenon. All these changes are quite natural, since the rate and amount of blood flow in the body changes during pregnancy, and many changes are also observed against the hormonal background. In addition to the fact that stagnation of vaginal contents and increased sweating cause discomfort, these phenomena can also be dangerous, since they can create the most favorable conditions for infection by fungi and bacteria. That is why hygiene procedures should become more frequent than usual, more carefully monitor the cleanliness of your own body.

What kind of water procedures for the expectant mother are safe and beneficial, and which ones will have to be postponed - read in our article.

Shower

Without a doubt, the shower is the most affordable water treatment. Experts recommend a mandatory hygienic shower in the morning and in the evening. The shower acts on the body with water in the form of a jet or many jets. In addition to the hygienic effect, the active factor of the shower is thermal and mechanical irritation. A cool shower is considered when the water temperature is 20-34 ° С, cold - less than 20 ° С; warm - 38-39 ° С; hot - 40 ° C and above. At home, while taking a shower, you can use a jet of any pressure, but the procedure should not cause discomfort.

With regard to the temperature of the water, then its choice should be approached very carefully. You can not take too hot showers and soar your feet - this is definitely harmful to a pregnant woman, it can lead to spontaneous abortion, and too cold water can contribute to the development of a cold. For most women in a position, a warm shower is suitable, and the only exception is the case when a woman is shown bed rest. In this case, you will have to maintain hygiene with wet wipes.

A contrast shower is a special type of water procedure in which hot water alternates with cold water. This product has a hardening, invigorating and refreshing effect. The procedure has a beneficial effect on the connective tissue and blood vessels. Cold water improves the tone of joints and muscles, while warm water relaxes. A contrast shower should always leave a pleasant sensation. During pregnancy, you can start using a contrast shower, but not in the first trimester and in the absence of complications. The procedure should be started gradually (first, use a contrast shower only for the feet) and performed daily.

As for the procedures that involve the presence of special equipment (Charcot, massage, etc.), then during pregnancy you can afford to massage your legs from time to time, this will already be a preventive procedure for varicose veins. Depending on the intensity of the jet, you can get either a relaxing effect (when the shower jet resembles a uniform falling of rain drops) or, conversely, a toning effect (with intense pressure), which is recommended to be used to massage the buttocks, thighs and back. Charcot's shower is strictly prescribed and under medical supervision.

Bath

Taking a bath has a very beneficial effect on the body of a pregnant woman, since such a procedure can reduce swelling, improve blood flow to the legs and blood circulation in general, reduce back pain and relieve tension. We do not recommend taking a jacuzzi, the point effect of hydromassage on pregnant women has not been fully studied.

While taking a bath, pregnant women should follow basic care and some rules.

The water temperature should not exceed 37-38 ° С, To determine the comfortable water temperature without running around with a thermometer in hand, we offer a simple and affordable way to determine it - just dip your face into the bathroom before diving. The fact is that it is it that is most sensitive to temperature. And if your body is able to withstand much hotter water, your face will "say" immediately and absolutely unequivocally: "Stop!" Hot water is strictly not allowed, overheating can lead to miscarriage, especially dangerous in the insidious first trimester.

Bathing time should not exceed 15-20 minutes. When sitting or lying in the bath, it is necessary to leave the shoulders bare to avoid overheating of the fetus. If you suddenly feel the slightest discomfort, you must immediately leave the bath.

Gently enter and exit the tub. Especially if you are on a long term, when because of the abdomen it is difficult to maintain balance. To avoid slipping, place a rubber mat on the bottom of the tub. It is advisable that you are not alone at home, so you will feel more confident and get help if necessary.

The most accessible and useful for pregnant women with daily use is a light cosmetic bath from sea salt. The dosage is 200-300 grams of pharmacy sea salt of the same unappetizing gray color without any additives for the full volume of bathroom water. Rest in a solution of this concentration calms the nervous system, relaxes the muscles of the uterus and removes tone, the procedure takes 15–20 minutes.

If you are concerned about both increased tone and pulling pains in the lower abdomen, prepare yourself a warm bath by putting a kilogram of sea salt in it. The action of a solution of such a concentration, exaggerating, can be compared with the action of a no-shpa tablet. In the old days, such a healing bath removed the threat of premature birth. Frequent use of a medicinal bath with sea salt threatens to change the mineralization of bones, so you can take it no more than 1 time per week.

But be careful with herbs and essential oils - before using them, check with your doctor, there are contraindications!

Everything that gets on the skin of the expectant mother is instantly absorbed into the blood and immediately goes to the child. This also applies to the components of the very foams, gels, scrubs that we use in everyday life. If you are not sure of their absolute naturalness, is it worth risking your baby's health ?! Let it sound a little old-fashioned, but is it not wiser in your position to use the tried grandmother's recipe instead of all these delights, and, having built yourself a loofah mitten out of terry cloth or canvas, use instead of detergents a concentrated solution of sea salt, drunk coffee, ground cereal ( for example, buckwheat). Or, if you are unable to give up your habits, buy only really high-quality and natural cosmetics for body and face skin care, special cosmetics for pregnant women. It is highly recommended to use baby soap instead of shower gel and regular soap, as it has a pleasant scent and does not cause allergies. After bathing, apply a moisturizer to your skin, especially your abdomen, and massage it gently.

And of course, don't forget about hand and foot baths. They perfectly relax and relieve fatigue. For example, soak your feet in cool water later in life. Taking foot baths is no less useful, especially if you add sea salt to them. The advantages of baths are obvious, moreover, they remove toxins from the body, normalize the nervous system, raise mood, reduce the tone of the uterus, relieve swelling and tension, and relieve pain.

Bath and sauna

Typically, a sauna or steam bath is considered an excellent stress relief and relaxation tool. Many get so used to visiting them that they can hardly deny themselves this pleasure when the need arises. One of these cases for women is pregnancy. Women who, before becoming pregnant, regularly visited the sauna or bath, often ask themselves the question: is it possible to go to the sauna or bath during pregnancy? Indeed, this question should worry the mind of a pregnant expectant mother like never before, since in this position the safety of the child is paramount.

The opinions and advice of doctors actually differ on this issue: some say that a bath and a sauna have a beneficial effect on the well-being of a pregnant woman, it allows you to relax and relieve stress, and rest. Others say that a bath during pregnancy is highly discouraged, since there are more risks than benefits when visiting it.

Let's try to understand this issue in order to finally understand: is it possible to go to a sauna or a bath during pregnancy?

Contraindications for visiting baths and saunas: in acute inflammatory diseases with fever, epilepsy, cancer, ischemic heart disease, hypertension stage II and III. You can not go to the bathhouse with bronchial asthma, after recent surgery, with complicated pregnancy (threat of termination, placenta previa, high blood pressure, edema, fetal growth retardation), the first trimester.

Before visiting a bath, a sauna, be sure to consult with your gynecologist!

Each person goes to the bathhouse for rest, good health and improvement of general health, bath for pregnant women is useful with the same properties:

The bath perfectly relaxes and allows you to relax, get rid of negative emotions. For pregnant women, this is a great way to relieve stress that often accompanies the process of carrying a baby. Quiet pastime, relaxation, silence have a positive effect on the nervous system, calming both mom and baby;
Since ancient times, the Russian bath has a cleansing effect, washing away negative energy, other people's thoughts, and a pregnant woman attracts a lot of envious glances, so such cleansing will only benefit her;
The high temperature of the bath and the humid environment improves blood circulation, which helps to cope well with edema and congestion;
Exposure to heat, moisture and the use of a broom can improve the condition of the skin, make it more elastic; thanks to this effect, a bath during pregnancy will help to avoid problems with sagging skin, stretch marks and other troubles;
A cool shower or a pool after a steam room activates all body processes, enhancing immunity, which will subsequently protect both mother and baby;
Due to active perspiration, edema passes in the bath, toxins and toxins are removed from the body.
The effect of the bath improves the condition of the veins, increases the tone of the walls, which makes it easier to endure late pregnancy. It is known that about 1/3 of pregnant women suffer from varicose veins, but after a bath, such problems disappear completely. It was noticed that after childbirth, sauna and bath lovers have bleeding much less often, and their blood loss during childbirth is not great. Women who go to the steam room are less likely to suffer from thrombosis, which is evidence that steam affects the mechanisms of blood clotting.

Despite the undoubted benefits of the steam room for pregnant women, many people still bypass it during pregnancy. So why do obstetricians, gynecologists and other doctors continue to discourage women from visiting baths, saunas during pregnancy, and there are a number of explanations for this:

Firstly, the general state of health, in our time, completely healthy expectant mothers are practically not found, especially among the inhabitants of the metropolis. Many pregnant women suffer from vegetative-vascular dystonia and instability of blood pressure. Accordingly, the symptoms can worsen in the steam room and bring only discomfort and a threat to health, and not benefit and pleasure.
Secondly, the natural mechanism of a woman's adaptation to pregnancy, it is manifested by a decrease in pressure, and if a woman suffered from hypotension by nature, bath procedures can cause very unpleasant sensations and harm the health of the mother and baby.
Thirdly, a considerable load on the circulatory system and the main organs (heart, liver, lungs, etc.). In the mother's body, her own circle of blood circulation functions, as well as the circle of the baby's circulation, respectively, it is not always possible to increase the load on the heart and blood circulation with a steam room. A weak body can not withstand such a load.
And finally, at every stage of pregnancy, baths and saunas carry their own threats. In the first trimester, there is still no placenta, and the connection between mother and baby is very weak, respectively, a visit to the bath and increased stress can lead to a miscarriage.

Remember only that when visiting a bathhouse or sauna, you are at your own peril and risk and all responsibility for this event is borne by yourself. If you are a regular at the baths, then, most likely, there will be no negativity and harm from a proper trip to the bath, you will only get pleasure, improve immunity and strengthen the health of yourself and your child. But before deciding to go to steam or not, we strongly ask you - consult your doctor!

In order for the bath to be useful and enjoyable, you should follow some rules and tips:

The head must always be closed. Special felt hats or just a towel turban work well. Do not wet your hair in front of the steam room
Use aromatic oils very carefully, and some should be eliminated altogether. You can take oil of eucalyptus, chamomile, lavender, citrus, mint, ginger, bergamot. It is forbidden to use the following oils: cedar, cypress, myrrh, rosemary, juniper, basil, sage, thyme, lemon balm, etc.
If you are afraid of contracting infections in the sauna, then use proven means for intimate hygiene (for example, "Intisan", "Epigen"). You need to apply them to the skin and mucous membranes of the genitals. So you can increase local immunity and protect against the penetration of fungi and bacteria. On the feet - antifungal ointments, creams.
Be sure to drink at least 15-20 minutes between the steam room. Best of all is rosehip broth, herbal teas or plain water. The more you drink, the more actively sweat is separated, and with it excess salts and toxins are removed.
Be sure to cool your body after a steam bath. It is ideal, of course, to plunge into the pool, and preferably with your head - you will immediately feel how the weight recedes, and then your head will not hurt. But do not be zealous with temperature changes, a cool shower is suitable, pregnant women are definitely not recommended to run out into the street and swim in the snow.
Do not sit out in the steam room. It is better to go several times than once for a long time. It is recommended to start in one to two minutes. Lie down on the bottom shelf and carefully monitor your heart rate, in no case should it exceed 120 beats per minute. Do not rush to climb to the very top, for 3-4 minutes you should sit at the bottom; having climbed onto a shelf, you need to place your legs on the same shelf, and not hang down. Firstly, this reduces the load on the heart by half, and secondly, the difference between the temperature at the level of the head and legs can be 15-20 ° C, which is extremely harmful.
Be sure to listen to yourself. Check your pulse, monitor your overall health. Any alarming sign - dizziness, discomfort, pulling pains in the lower abdomen - a reason to immediately leave the steam room.
It is good to visit the bathhouse once a week, devoting a lot of time to it.
Be sure to wear rubber slippers in the bath and put a towel or bedding on the shelf.
Cool down well before going outside after the steam room. Depending on the time of year, this will take approximately 15-60 minutes. You should be especially careful during the cold season. Then it is very easy to catch a cold after the sauna.
It is better for pregnant women to visit the bathhouse in special groups for pregnant women under the guidance of an instructor.
It is better to choose a Russian bath, since a normal temperature of up to 85 degrees and high humidity (and dry steam in the sauna) promotes better sweating, provided you feel well. The effect of a Russian steam room in a sauna can be obtained by reducing the temperature and pouring water over the stones.

When deciding for yourself the question: is it possible to visit a bathhouse or a sauna, remember the main rule of a future mother, which will always help out when making a decision - always and in everything be guided solely by your own well-being, because no one can feel your condition and condition better than you, and means - and decisions for the two of you are solely for you.

Follow the tips above and enjoy your pregnancy!

Every day, pregnant women face a lot of restrictions, prohibitions and rules.

In addition to the usual restrictions (such as engaging in intense physical activity), women are interested in the following: whether it is possible to do some of the usual procedures for all people.

Today we will focus on water procedures.

Can pregnant women enjoy taking a bath, why sometimes it is strictly forbidden.

Can pregnant women take a warm bath?

Many women during pregnancy are interested in the question: will it harm the baby taking a bath with warm water at different stages of pregnancy? How long can this procedure take?

People used to think that water contains a lot of bacteria that can enter the vagina and harm the baby. Therefore, during pregnancy, a woman was strictly forbidden to swim. Modern scientists have proven that this opinion is wrong. When water enters the vagina, the tight plug prevents any bacteria from getting to the baby and causing him even the slightest harm.

Only hot water has a negative effect, regardless of the gestational age.

In fact, in the bathroom, a woman in a position may face the following dangers: hot water, slippery floors and a bathroom, so it is recommended to use special rubber mats. Water that is too warm or too hot has a negative effect on the body, increasing blood pressure, as a result of which a miscarriage or premature birth can occur.

For pregnant women, as well as for small children, a temperature of 37 degrees is well suited. It will help you relax and unwind. If there is no thermometer, your own face will help you determine a comfortable bathing temperature, which must be lowered into the water before diving. It is the most sensitive part of the body, so you will immediately feel the hot water.

The effect of water procedures on the body of a pregnant woman

Do not forget that the safety of water procedures during pregnancy should be discussed with your doctor.

Experienced experts believe that if there are no contraindications, then a warm bath taken after a shower will be completely safe for the baby.

This procedure will have a positive effect on the body of the woman herself. Puffiness decreases, blood circulation improves, and more blood flows to the legs, as a result of which tension is relieved and pain in the back and lower back decreases. As one of the options for useful baths, doctors recommend foot baths with the addition of sea salt.

A warm bath with the addition of a kilogram of sea salt will help to cope with increased tone and pulling pains in the lower abdomen. For a long time this method has been used as a reliable means for removing the threat of premature birth. It should not be used more than once a week, otherwise it is fraught with changes in bone mineralization.

The only risk is that while taking a bath, blood rushes to the pelvis, which can trigger the labor process ahead of schedule. But this can be easily avoided, because only extremely hot water causes adverse effects.

Can pregnant women take a bath with salt or oils?

We should also talk about aromatic baths. Doctors still have not come to a common opinion. Some - categorically prohibit such procedures, others - constantly recommend them.

Pregnant women are best suited: rose, eucalyptus, orange, bergamot, lemon, sandalwood, and tea tree oil. You need to add no more than three to four drops to the bath.

Cypress;

Rosemary;

Basil.

When using oils, do not forget that all funds are instantly absorbed into the bloodstream and passed on to the child. Preference should be given only to gels and products with natural ingredients.

During pregnancy, women are strictly prohibited from visiting the jacuzzi, even for a few minutes. This procedure affects the uterus and the fetus too much, which significantly increases the risk of miscarriage or premature birth.

Can pregnant women take a bath: basic rules that can help avoid adverse effects

The water temperature should be from 30 to 37 degrees (in no case warmer);

In the first and third trimester, due to the high riskiness, it is recommended to reduce water procedures to a minimum;

The upper body should be above water (especially for those women who suffer from pressure);

To avoid overheating of the body, hands and feet can sometimes be pulled out of the water, together or in turn;

The duration of bathing should not exceed fifteen minutes;

If you feel the slightest discomfort, the procedure stops immediately;

Do not leave the bath immediately, sit while the water is draining (this will avoid a sudden pressure drop).

If you are still in doubt whether to take a bath during pregnancy or not, then just calm down. Modern gynecologists not only allow this procedure, but often recommend it. There are too many benefits and too much pleasure in taking a bath, so it cannot be denied. So don't hesitate.

Bathing has several benefits. In addition to the aforementioned beneficial effects, the bath helps to raise mood, improve blood circulation, restore the nervous system and remove toxins from the body.

Cosmetic essential products also have a beneficial effect on a woman's body during pregnancy. When choosing, you should give preference to products intended for pregnant women.

If someone you know strongly advised you to avoid bathing during pregnancy, don't worry - they are just deeply mistaken. Modern medicine recommends water treatments.

Even in ancient Egypt, India and China, using massage to reduce pain and fatigue in pregnant women. Massage is used for medicinal and relaxing purposes for expectant mothers today. However, in this crucial period, it has its own characteristics and limitations. For pregnant women, consultation with an obstetrician-gynecologist about the possibility of massage for pregnant women is required. Since it is important to make sure that you have no contraindications for carrying it out.

Features of massage during pregnancy

By timing

According to general recommendations in the first trimester, at least until 9-10 weeks, massage for pregnant women is undesirable due to the high vulnerability of pregnancy at this time. Therefore, during this period it is recommended to refrain from massage.

By the end of the first trimester, the formation of the placenta is completed. In the normal course of this process, the fetus becomes more protected. Therefore, in the second or third trimesters, the indications for massage expand. It is advisable to be performed by a specialist experienced in working with pregnant women.

In late pregnancy, massage will help the expectant mother prepare the body for childbirth. Sometimes massage of the perineum is used, which helps to increase the elasticity and extensibility of tissues in this area, and is the prevention of tears during childbirth.

During childbirth, massage (including self-massage) helps to relax, in addition, it has a distracting meaning: impulses from skin receptors compete with pain impulses, which helps to reduce unpleasant painful sensations during uterine contractions. You can stroke the skin of the lower abdomen (from the center to the sides), lower back. In the lumbosacral region, rubbing and pressing with fists can be applied. Kneading and pressing in the lateral corners of the lumbar diamond (dimples above the buttocks) also has a good analgesic effect. According to some reports, painful sensations during labor can weaken a fairly intense foot massage (rubbing, kneading) that a husband can do if he is present at childbirth. The effectiveness of such techniques is quite individual, so each woman herself must choose the most suitable option for her.

By localization

During pregnancy, the load on the musculoskeletal system increases significantly: the spine, joints and muscles of the back, legs. This happens as a result of weight gain during pregnancy, in addition, a growing belly leads to a shift in the center of gravity of the body. In pregnant women, lumbar lordosis increases (forward bending of the spine in the lumbar region), as a result of significant hormonal fluctuations, changes occur in the ligamentous apparatus of all joints of the body, including the intervertebral joints.

Almost half of women experience back pain during pregnancy. Most often, this pain is associated with an increase in the load on the spine as a result of an enlarged abdomen, weakening due to overstretching of the abdominal muscles. Usually, back pain begins to bother after the fifth month of pregnancy.

The legs also experience increased stress during pregnancy: body weight increases, due to the growing uterus and the increased volume of circulating blood, the pressure in the veins of the legs increases significantly, the load on the valve apparatus of the venous vessels increases, which normally prevents the reverse blood flow. Often during pregnancy, veins expand, become clearly visible, swelling, pain, cramps may appear, and a feeling of heaviness in the legs may appear. In addition to the veins of the legs, the venous vessels of the external genital organs, buttocks, and vagina can also be involved in the pathological process. A feeling of fullness and pain may also appear in these areas.

Therefore, massage of hands, feet, neck, shoulder girdle, back is recommended for pregnant women. The impact on these areas helps to prevent and reduce pain in the back, shoulder girdle, lower back, legs, reduce general fatigue, reduce leg swelling, and prevent varicose veins.

What massage techniques for pregnant women can I use?

In classical massage for pregnant women, the following techniques are usually used: stroking, rubbing, kneading, vibration, tapping, patting.

Only light strokes have no contraindications and can be used at any stage of pregnancy. Deeper and more intense effects during massage for pregnant women should be used with caution.

Even in the absence of contraindications and the presence of permission from the attending physician to carry out massage during pregnancy, expectant mothers during the massage are recommended only soft, gentle, stroking and relaxing movements, allowing them to work out the disturbing area without excessive rigidity and vigorous, intense rubbing. Massage techniques such as shock and vibration are contraindicated in pregnant women. Kneading of fabrics should not be used either.

Types of massage for pregnant women

Manual massage is optimal during pregnancy. However, it should be emphasized once again that, unlike classical massage, all massage manipulations during pregnancy should be delicate and performed very smoothly and gently.

Hardware massage (massage chairs, couches and other devices), vibratory massagers, pneumatic massage units, electromyostimulants during the waiting period for the baby are not recommended, as they are characterized by a rather severe uncontrolled effect, which can adversely affect the course of pregnancy.

Also, pregnancy is a contraindication for stone massage performed with special heated stones.

Hydromassage, in which jets of water have a massaging effect, like other thermal procedures and uncontrolled types of massage (during pregnancy, the point effect of intense jets of water in a jacuzzi is not fully understood), is not recommended for expectant mothers. General whirlpool baths with high water temperatures are categorically contraindicated during pregnancy due to the danger of provoking uterine contractions, bleeding, and the threat of termination of pregnancy. However, some experts consider it possible to use local hydromassage in pregnant women, only with a number of restrictions. So, preference should be given to hydromassage showers and local, rather than general, hydromassage baths (for hands and feet). Pregnant women are allowed to hydromassage the collar zone (cervical region, shoulder girdle), upper back, legs, arms. Water jets should be directed tangentially, from the periphery to the center. At the initial stages (during the first procedures), the pressure of the jets should be made minimal, then gradually increase it to an average intensity. The water temperature during hydromassage should not exceed 38 ° C.

Lymphatic drainage massage can be manual and hardware (pneumopressure, pressotherapy). The latter has the same contraindications as other types of apparatus massage, and is not recommended for pregnant women. Manual lymphatic drainage massage differs from the classical one in its softness, low intensity, superficiality of massage movements, which are carried out along the pathways of lymph outflow. This type of massage helps to remove fluid, reduce swelling of the tissues of the hands and feet, prevents and alleviates the symptoms of varicose veins, and promotes maximum relaxation. In addition, additional effects of lymphatic drainage massage are pain relief, normalization of sleep and prevention of headaches, improvement of skin condition, relaxation and release of muscle tension, joints of the arms, legs, back. The features of performing lymphatic drainage massage are the most suitable for pregnant women. Therefore, in the absence of general contraindications for expectant mothers from the second trimester of pregnancy, a course of lymphatic drainage massage with a frequency of 1-2 times a week is recommended.

Cosmetic massage of the face, neck, head is also allowed during pregnancy. Performed by a specialist, it increases the elasticity, firmness and smoothness of the skin, reduces possible puffiness, helps to relax the muscles of the face, neck, and general relaxation.

Massage during pregnancy: who is better to trust?

It is recommended that pregnancy massage be performed by a qualified professional experienced in working with pregnant women. Nevertheless, even an experienced massage therapist should not be consulted on your own, without consulting a doctor, since massage for pregnant women is different from usual. In addition, only the attending gynecologist knows about the presence of contraindications for massage in your individual case.

The procedure performed by a qualified experienced massage therapist has a more pronounced therapeutic and prophylactic effect. Massage movements, acupressure of pain points lead to relieve tension and relaxation of muscles, improve blood supply, reduce swelling of muscles, tissues of the joints of the spine, legs, help to effectively reduce or completely eliminate pain in the neck, back, legs.

However, after a short training, a simple massage for a pregnant wife can be performed by a husband. For example, if a woman has pain in the back and legs, he can massage his wife's lower back and calf muscles. With this method of massage, it is very important that it is easier for a woman with a loved one to achieve relaxation, which significantly increases the effectiveness of the procedure - after all, in addition to physical effects, massage for pregnant women also has a tangible psychological effect, helps to relax, soothes.

Self-massage is quite effective, and in some cases the only possible one. Gentle stroking movements help to relax, calm down. In addition, this is one of the ways a mother communicates with her baby. Rubbing and gentle pressure can reduce pain in numb limbs and back.

Duration of massage during pregnancy

The duration of the massage procedure for a pregnant woman is 30–45 minutes, in the first 1–2 sessions it is recommended to reduce it to 15–20 minutes. In the normal course of pregnancy, general massage, as a rule, is performed 1-2 times a week, starting from the second trimester of pregnancy until the very birth (of course, in the absence of contraindications). Self-massage, which usually does not exceed 15–20 minutes, can be done every day.

In addition to local effects, massage for pregnant women also has a general beneficial effect on the health and well-being of the expectant mother and baby. A massage performed correctly by a qualified specialist helps to relax, helps to normalize sleep, good mood, reduces the likelihood of developing depression, reduces irritability and emotional instability.

By the way, general massage has a beneficial effect on appearance during pregnancy (and after childbirth):
- reduces the likelihood of stretch marks;
- improving the functioning of the intestines, lymph and blood circulation, massage plays a preventive role in the occurrence of edema and weight gain;
- causing relaxation and normalization of sleep, relieving pain in muscles and joints, improves mood, reduces anxiety, irritability - the main enemies of female charm.

Thus, regular massage is one of the components of the beauty and health of the expectant mother.

When is massage for pregnant women prohibited?

Like many procedures, massage has a number of contraindications, and pregnancy adds a few more points to them. So, massage cannot be performed when:

  • infectious diseases;
  • elevated temperature;
  • inflammatory diseases of the skin, lymph nodes, blood vessels;
  • blood diseases;
  • malignant and benign neoplasms (tumors);
  • purulent processes of any localization;
  • thrombosis;
  • acute myocardial ischemia;
  • hypertensive crises and severe hypertension;
  • aneurysms of the aorta, left ventricle of the heart;
  • epilepsy;
  • severe bronchial asthma;
  • a number of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
  • trophic ulcers;
  • acute back pain;
  • the threat of miscarriage;
  • preeclampsia (complications of pregnancy, characterized by the appearance of edema, protein in the urine, increased blood pressure);
  • general rejection or unwillingness of other people's touch (in such cases, either self-massage or massage performed by the husband or a person whom the expectant mother trusts is recommended).

We take a comfortable position

During the massage, a pregnant woman should choose a position that is comfortable for herself. When the abdomen is not yet very large, a prone position is allowed. In later stages of pregnancy, massage for expectant mothers is carried out in a sitting position, for example, on a chair (a woman rests her hands on her back), lying on her side, on her back (the latter position is not shown in late pregnancy due to the possibility of clamping a large venous vessel by the enlarged uterus - inferior vena cava, a sharp decrease in blood flow to the heart up to loss of consciousness - inferior vena cava syndrome). In this condition, the volume of blood ejected by the heart into the systemic circulation and supplied to all organs is also significantly reduced. Loss of consciousness can occur due to decreased blood supply to the brain. Placental circulation also suffers, that is, the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the baby.

Massage with or without oil?

The use of aromatic oils for massage during pregnancy is permissible only in the absence of allergic reactions. Initially, it is recommended to apply a drop of aromatic oil to the inner surface of the forearm or elbow and observe the reaction for 15–20 minutes. In the absence of itching, redness and general normal odor tolerance, it can be added to massage. Aromatic oils have a pronounced healing effect: lavender and mint oils cause relaxation, have a sedative effect, reduce back pain; jojoba, sweet almond and wheat germ oils have a beneficial effect on the skin, help to avoid stretch marks; lemon oil added to the cream helps to get rid of age spots; Lemongrass and cypress oils are good for foot massage, as they have a beneficial effect on the vascular wall, help to reduce puffiness, and cause a feeling of lightness and freshness.

Please note that it is very prohibited during pregnancy. For example, jasmine and sage oils have such a pronounced tonic effect on the uterus that, if necessary, they are recommended to be used in childbirth when massaging the sacrum and coccyx to stimulate labor.