INFOGRAPHICPREGNANCY

Avoid Extreme Heat During Pregnancy

By Bailey Miller
Reviewed by Alyssa Quimby, M.D.
August 23, 2024
Did You Know? You should avoid hot tubs, saunas, and other extreme-heat activities during pregnancy. Studies suggest that raising your body temperature to 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit and above may increase the risk of birth defects in your baby. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. | Ravanelli, N. et al. (2019) Heat stress and fetal risk. Environmental limits for exercise and passive heat stress during pregnancy: A systematic review with best evidence synthesis. British Journal of Sports Medicine.

When you’re pregnant, you’re at an increased risk of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration. Not only that, but extreme rises in your body temperature can have negative effects on the health of you and your baby.

For this reason, anything that can raise your body temperature should be avoided at all times during pregnancy, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. This includes sitting in hot tubs or saunas and doing hot yoga.

Of course, pregnancy can be stressful. You can still wind down with a bath, but keep the water lukewarm (less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit). Practice prenatal yoga but in an air-conditioned room. Also, try these simple ways to reduce pregnancy-related stress.