The sauna and pregnancy

Sauna bathing does not appear to affect fertility in men. Nor is the sauna teratogenic. The haemodynamic changes brought about by the sauna are similar in non-pregnant and pregnant women, regardless of the duration of pregnancy. There are, however, differences in the hormonal responses. Pregnant women adapt well to the thermal stress of the sauna, which is also true of the fetus, provided that it is healthy. Although the fetal heart rate rises during maternal hyperthermia, cardiotocographic tracings remain normal during and after maternal thermal stress. Healthy pregnant women may safely have sauna baths throughout their pregnancy.