Sauna Suit Safety

A recent survey concluded that an average non-pregnant woman would not likely remain in a heated environment, like a bally sauna suit, long enough for her body temperature to elevate to the point where harm could come to a developing infant. There is no reason to believe that a pregnant woman would be any different.

Again, being logical, it would be reasonable to examine the Finnish experience.

In Finland, children begin becoming regulars at the sauna at an average age of 4.5 months. Pregnancy does not deter Finns from their regular saunas. If there was a relationship between sauna exposure and birth defects, we'd naturally expect to see it in the Finns.

A number of researchers have looked for an association. None have found one. In fact, when it comes to neural tube (spinal) defects and anencephaly (absence of brain), two conditions that earlier reports suggested were related to saunas and elevated body temperatures, the Finns have amongst the lowest incidence in the world.

No guarantee Naturally, if you're pregnant you'll want to do everything that you possibly can to ensure that the infant developing in you comes out as healthy as it possibly can. No one can guarantee that one thing or another won't be hazardous to your developing fetus. All we can do is look at the scientific information in front of us, tell you how it was gathered and render an opinion.

The logical opinion in this instance is that taking a sauna or hot tub bath will not harm your unborn child. This doesn't give you a licence to go out and sweat yourself to death in a sauna. There is no question that when anything is used improperly it can be dangerous. Saunas and hot tubs are no exception. The Finns know what they are doing. The usual stay in the hot room is 10 minutes, but exposures may be repeated two or three times. And then there is the dip in the freezing cold water of a lake through a hole in the ice or more practically into a cold shower.

Moderation key The lesson is what I normally preach: moderation. Doing most things in moderation is not likely to be hazardous. That includes taking a sauna during pregnancy. The problem with pregnancy is that many important things occur in the developing baby often before a woman even realizes that she's pregnant. That usually means that she's had a sauna, some alcohol, an over-the-counter drug and, God help her, maybe even a cigarette before the pregnancy is diagnosed. Don't worry. Check out your vices with your doctor and then be reassured by the fact that you're no different from everyone else.

* The views expressed are those of the author, a practicing physician. While Dr. Seiden welcomes suggestions for future columns, he cannot treat medical problems by mail. Readers should consult their own doctors.