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Conference moira::parenting

Title:	Parenting
Notice:	Previous PARENTING version at MOIRA::PARENTING_V3
Moderator:	GEMEVN::FAIMANY

Created:	Thu Apr 09 1992
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	1292
Total number of notes:	34837

272.0. "Hot tub pregnancy risk" by MOIRA::FAIMAN (light upon the figured leaf) Wed Aug 19 1992 11:36

	WASHINGTON (UPI) -- Pregnant women who soak in a hot tub or relax in a
sauna early in their pregnancy appear to have an increased risk of
giving birth to a baby with spina bifida or other birth defects,
researchers reported Tuesday.
	Women exposed to heat from a hot tub, sauna or high fever during the
first trimester of pregnancy were nearly three times more likely to have
a baby with so-called neural tube defects, which are malformed spinal
cords and brains.
	``Our findings reveal an increased risk for (neural tube defects)
among offspring of women exposed to heat in the form of a hot tub, sauna
or fever during early pregnancy,'' said Dr. Aubrey Milunsky of Boston
University School of Medicine and colleagues in the Journal of the
American Medical Association.
	While the researchers did not determine how excess heat may cause
defects, they said the relationship in the data they analyzed was strong
enough to urge pregnant women to be careful.
	``It would seem prudent for women, when planning pregnancy and
through the first two months of an established pregnancy, to avoid use
of the hot tub and sauna until such time as data shows it is safe or
confirms what we found,'' said Milunsky in an interview.
	The study's authors interviewed 22,754 women on issues such as
whether they used an electric blanket, hot tub or sauna during
pregnancy. They also obtained other information such as diet, medication
and medical history.
	Of 5,566 women who reported exposure to at least one heat source, 49
cases of neural tube defects were recorded. This resulted in a 60
percent increased risk of birth defects overall, the researchers
reported.
	In further analysis, the researchers determined that use of an
electric blanket only slightly increased risk -- about 20 percent. But
hot tub use increased risk nearly three times and sauna use increased
risk about 2 1/2 times. Fevers of 100 degrees or more nearly doubled the
risk.
	``Nobody yet knows how heat interferes with cells that move to close
the spinal column,'' Milunsky said, ``but we do know that in all non-
human species such as mice, rabbits, pigs and chicken that heat causes
birth defects.''
	The study was limited in that it was unable to examine other possible
contributing factors such as infections, how much time was spent in a
hot tub or sauna or whether other behavior associated with hot tub or
sauna use played a role.
	Milunsky said he was planning a new study to more closely analyze the
connection between heat and birth defects.
	Commenting on the report, Dr. Jennifer Howse, president of the March
of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, said: ``This study showing a direct
link between heat and neural tube defects is particularly important,
because women can improve their chances of having a healthy baby by
avoiding exposure to excessive heat.''
	Howse urged pregnant women and those planning a pregnancy to avoid
hot tubs and saunas, but said there was little need for concern about
hot or warm showers or baths because they do not raise internal
temperatures as much as soaking in a hot tub or sitting in a sauna.
	In California, spas are required to post signs warning pregnant
women, elderly and certain others to consult a physician prior to using
a hot tub.
	Carole Klein of the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program in
Emeryville, Calif., said the agency was conducting studies of the
relationship between birth defects and heat exposure.

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
272.1	one minor thing to add	VAXUUM::FONTAINE		`Wed Aug 19 1992 17:32`	8
	I just heard this report on the radio about 10 minutes ago! Although the article mentions that there is little concern for pregnant women to worry about a warm/hot bath, I've heard some doctors will still warn women away from them in early pregnancy (that is, staying in a too-warm/hot bath for too long a time). NF
272.2		PROSE::BLACHEK		`Wed Aug 19 1992 17:55`	9
	While I was pregnant my OB told me not to take long hot baths for the duration of the pregnancy. I'm not a bath person and it wasn't a sacrifice. I felt that the group I used was overly cautious. They said no baths and no sex during the last month at all. (I asked if they were worried about orgasam or penetration during that time and they said both...!) judy
272.3		SUPER::WTHOMAS		`Wed Aug 19 1992 18:04`	15
	Actually my midwife told me to take warm baths during the last trimester of my pregnancy. Now granted, our bathtub is minute and I was having joint problems that she felt the warmth would help but I had stopped the baths on my own and she is the one that suggested I keep taking them. She did suggest, however, that I only stay in for up to 20 minutes and as this was during that horrible heat stroke last summer, she didn't really have to worry that I'd stay in much longer. In fact, it was often from the tub to in front of the air conidtioner. Wendy
272.4	hot tub? no way.	MVCAD3::DEHAHN	ninety eight don't be late	`Wed Aug 19 1992 18:21`	7
	We have a hot tub set at 104 degrees. My wife's OB said baths are ok but nothing over 90 degrees. She stayed out of the hot tub during the pregnancy. Chris
272.5	askjhdf	SWAM2::MASSEY_VI	you did what!!!	`Wed Aug 19 1992 18:50`	19
	This is what I remember from my Natural Birth classes on the subject of hot tubs and saunas. The body fights infections by raising the temp.(fever) hopefully killing off the infection. At time, if the fever persists or is quite high, the body may abort a fetus. Alos, with fever, all availible resources are concentrated to the area in need, thus, taking away from the developing child. I was told not to go into a hot tub or sauna during the first 2 trimesters. I was told that after that time, if all is still well, an occasional dunk was ok, but not for a long time. Like I said, this is what I remember from 4 years ago. I'm sure studies have been done since then. Virginia
272.6	3rd trimester worries...	NEWPRT::NEWELL_JO	Latine loqui coactus sum	`Wed Aug 19 1992 18:58`	10
	Of course the worry in the third trimester is the possibility of infection to the uterus via the cervix. The mucous plug usually protects the uterus but in the third trimester, the plug often works itself loose sooner than expected (also known as 'bloody show'). Bacteria from pools, hottubs, and bathtubs can then be introduced into the uterus quite easily. Jodi-
272.7	my mind is agone	SWAM2::MASSEY_VI	you did what!!!	`Wed Aug 19 1992 19:04`	6
	I just couldn't remember what I had left out. Thanks
272.8	stay away from baths at the end	SAHQ::HERNDON	Atlanta D/S	`Wed Aug 19 1992 19:13`	21
	Speaking of baths....the night I went into labor I took one. I had cleaned all day and just wanted to relax. I was 5 days from my due date and everyone said....you'll be late, it's your first...so what did I know. Unfortunately, I had been leaking amniotic fluid (just a tiny tiny bit) for 2 days and never realized it. Thought it was my mucous plug...which I never did see.... Ran a temp during labor and for a few days after. The baby was born with a temp but everything turned out fine....no complications. But that could be attributed to meconium in the fluid. Of course I went into a panic when I found out that so called discharge was actually amniotic fluid. I could have punched myself for not realizing AND ON TOP OF THAT I TOOK A BATH! Let me tell you, it wasn't anything like the books say... Kristen
272.9	induce labor at the end of pregnancy?	NAC::A_OBRIEN		`Wed Aug 26 1992 19:56`	9
	I was under the impression that hot baths toward the end of pregnancy can bring on labor (an old wife's tale?). Since I was 2 weeks late and was going to be induced I took long baths and did manage to go into labor on my own the 12 hours before I was supposed to be induced. Of course I have no way of knowing if the baths had anything to do with it. Ania