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There is no simple yes or no on whether a hot tub is safe in pregnancy. The concern is overheating, so if you are pregnant and want to use one, keep the water at or below 38°C, keep soaks short and speak to your midwife or GP first.
The reason for the caution is easy to picture. A hot tub is a pleasant way to ease aching hips and a tired back, but sitting in hot water raises your body temperature, and in pregnancy that is the part that matters. A cooler tub, a short soak and an early exit change the picture a great deal.
This guide sets out what UK and health sources say about hot tub pregnancy advice: temperature, time, trimesters, and how to cool down safely, plus what is different about a wood fired tub. We have been building wood fired hot tubs in the UK since 2014 and deliver across mainland Britain, but we are not medical advisers, so please treat this as general information and ask your midwife.
Is it safe to use a hot tub when pregnant?
There is no definite yes or no. The UK Teratology Information Service, funded by the UK Health Security Agency, says there is no yes or no answer, and that women who still choose to use a hot tub may limit their time and reduce the temperature (UKTIS). The CDC also advises talking to a healthcare provider first (CDC).
Searches for hot tubs and pregnancy are popular in the UK, according to Google Keyword Planner, which is a sign of how many people are unsure. The honest answer is that it depends on the temperature, the time, how far along you are and your own health.
- Ask first. Your midwife or GP knows your history and can give advice that fits you.
- If advised it is fine. Keep the water cooler than usual and the soak short.
- If in doubt, skip it. A warm bath or a foot soak is a lower risk alternative.
Worth knowing: This is a summary, not medical advice. Your midwife or GP is the right person to ask.
Why is overheating the concern in pregnancy?
The concern is that your body temperature could rise too high. UKTIS says the main worry is that maternal body temperature could rise to around 40°C. A US health library summary of guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says overheating in the early weeks of pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of neural tube defects (University of Michigan Health).
That is why almost all the advice comes down to three things: keep the water cooler, stay in for less time, and get out the moment you feel hot. It is also why the early weeks get the most cautious advice.
- Signs you are too hot. Dizziness, a pounding heart, nausea, a headache or feeling faint. Get out slowly and cool down.
- Do not wait. Get out if you feel too hot, as the US guidance says, rather than waiting for a timer.
- Do not rely on how it feels. Check the temperature with a thermometer.
Worth knowing: If you notice anything that worries you after a soak, contact your midwife.
What temperature is safe for a hot tub in pregnancy?
Keep it at or below 38°C (100°F). The US Consumer Product Safety Commission advises pregnant women to stick to 38°C and warns that soaking above 39°C (102°F) in the first three months may be harmful (CPSC). The general maximum for any hot tub is 40°C, so this is lower than normal.
Hot tub temperature guide for pregnancy
| Water temperature | What the guidance says | Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| 35 to 36°C | Gently warm, well within the limit | A cautious starting point, with your midwife’s approval |
| 37 to 38°C | At or just below the 38°C advice | The upper end. Keep soaks short |
| 39°C | CPSC warns this may be harmful in the first three months | Avoid |
| 40°C and above | The general safe maximum for anyone | Avoid |
Sources: CPSC; UKTIS. General guidance only. Ask your midwife for advice that fits you.
For the full scale for everyone else, read our guide to what temperature a hot tub should be.
Worth knowing: Thermostats can be out by a degree or two, so check with a thermometer rather than trusting a dial.
How long can you stay in a hot tub when pregnant?
No more than 10 minutes. The Healthwise guidance, summarised by University of Michigan Health and citing the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, says not to stay in a hot tub for more than 10 minutes (University of Michigan Health). UKTIS likewise suggests limiting time in the water.
- Set a timer before you get in, and keep it where you can see it.
- Sit with your shoulders and arms out of the water, which helps you cool.
- Get out at 10 minutes, or sooner if you feel hot, dizzy or unwell.
- Sit somewhere cool and drink water before doing anything else.
Worth knowing: Never use a hot tub alone when pregnant, and never after alcohol. Our FAQ says not to use our saunas if you are pregnant.
What about the first trimester, and later in pregnancy?
The early weeks get the most cautious advice. The US guidance links overheating in the early weeks with neural tube defects, and the CPSC warns against water above 39°C in the first three months. Later in pregnancy the same rules still apply: cooler water, short soaks and an early exit.
We do not publish stage by stage rules, because they are not ours to give. Ask your midwife for advice that fits your stage of pregnancy, and follow it over anything you read online, including this guide.
- Early weeks. Be most cautious. Many people choose to avoid hot tubs altogether until they have spoken to their midwife.
- Middle of pregnancy. Keep to 38°C or below and 10 minutes or less if your midwife agrees.
- Later in pregnancy. Getting in and out of a tub becomes harder. Take care on wet steps and edges.
Worth knowing: If you feel unwell, faint or out of breath at any stage, get out and rest.
Hot tub, bath or sauna in pregnancy: how do they compare?
A warm bath is easier to control than a hot tub, and a sauna runs much hotter. The advice for all three is to avoid overheating. The same guidance that gives 10 minutes for a hot tub gives no more than 15 minutes for a sauna, and our own FAQ says not to use our saunas if you are pregnant.
Heat sources compared in pregnancy
| Option | Typical temperature | Time limit in guidance | Main concern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm bath | You choose, and can top up with cool water | Get out if you feel too hot | Easy to control, low risk if kept warm not hot |
| Hot tub | 35 to 38°C advised | 10 minutes at most | Water is hot and can be hard to cool |
| Sauna | Typically 70 to 100°C | 15 minutes at most in US guidance | Much hotter. Our FAQ says not to use ours if pregnant |
Sources: UKTIS; University of Michigan Health (Healthwise); CPSC; Royal Tubs FAQ.
If you are comparing the two experiences, our guide to what temperature a sauna should be explains why a sauna is so different.
Worth knowing: Water that feels merely warm in a bath can feel hot after a few minutes in a tub. Check with a thermometer.
How do you use a hot tub more safely during pregnancy?
Keep the water cool, keep the soak short, stay upright and do not use it alone. These are common sense steps that match the guidance above.
- Speak to your midwife or GP before you get in.
- Set the water to 38°C or below and check it with a thermometer.
- Get in slowly and use the handrail or steps with care.
- Sit with your shoulders and arms out of the water.
- Stay in for 10 minutes at most, with a timer.
- Get out slowly if you feel hot or dizzy, and cool down.
- Drink water before and after, and skip alcohol.
Worth knowing: Wet steps and tub edges are slippery. Take your time getting in and out.
Is a wood fired hot tub different in pregnancy?
Yes, because it has no thermostat. You control the temperature with the fire, so you need to check it yourself and keep the stove well away from you. Our user manual explains the routine, and our guide on how to control the temperature of a wood fired hot tub covers it step by step.
- Check after stirring. The surface can read several degrees hotter than the water lower down, so stir before you measure.
- Stop adding wood before your target. The water keeps rising a little as the fire burns down.
- Never touch the stove while it is lit. Our manual says so, and a chimney heat guard helps.
- Cool it down if needed. Add cold water from a hose and stir again.
- Take care on steps. Our manual says to remove the steps when the tub is not in use.
Worth knowing: If you would rather set a number and walk away, ask us about our electric heater options.
Is a hot tub right for you in pregnancy?
A hot tub can be a lovely part of life after pregnancy, and for some people during it, with the right advice. It is not right if your midwife advises against it, if you cannot keep the temperature and time under control, or if you would be using it alone. Waiting is always an option.
If you are thinking about a tub for the garden, start with our range of wood fired hot tubs, read the buyer’s guide or see what owners say in our customer reviews. We offer finance options and delivery across mainland Britain. When the time is right, with the stars out and the fire crackling, you will understand the Secret of Royal Tubbing.
Talk to Royal Tubs
If you have a question about temperatures, heaters or which tub suits your garden, our team is happy to help.
- Phone. 01536 606040, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 1pm.
- WhatsApp. 07310 959595
- Email. info@royaltubs.co.uk
- Showroom, by appointment. Ash Tree Farm, Stoke Albany Road, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN14 2SP. Book a visit or send a message.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to use a hot tub when pregnant?
There is no definite yes or no. UKTIS says women who still choose to use one may limit their time and reduce the temperature, and the CDC advises talking to a healthcare provider first.
What temperature should a hot tub be when pregnant?
At or below 38°C (100°F). The CPSC warns that water above 39°C in the first three months may be harmful.
How long can you stay in a hot tub when pregnant?
No more than 10 minutes, according to guidance summarised by University of Michigan Health. Get out sooner if you feel hot.
Can you use a hot tub in the first trimester?
The early weeks get the most cautious advice, because overheating then has been linked to neural tube defects. Speak to your midwife before using one.
Is a jacuzzi safe during pregnancy?
The advice is the same as for any hot tub. Jacuzzi is a brand name that many people use for any hot tub, so keep to 38°C or below and short soaks, and ask your midwife.
Is a hot tub worse than a hot bath in pregnancy?
A bath is easier to control, because you can add cool water. A hot tub stays hot, so time and temperature matter more.
What are the signs of overheating?
Dizziness, a pounding heart, nausea, a headache or feeling faint. Get out slowly, cool down and drink water.
Can you use a sauna when pregnant?
Our FAQ says not to use our saunas if you are pregnant. UKTIS says there is no yes or no answer, so ask your midwife.
Is a wood fired hot tub safe when pregnant?
The same rules on temperature and time apply. A wood fired tub has no thermostat, so check the temperature with a thermometer after stirring, and ask your midwife first.
Should I use a hot tub alone when pregnant?
No. Have someone with you, especially at night, and never use a hot tub after alcohol.
