Are you wondering whether lavender Epsom salt is safe during pregnancy? Being pregnant is wonderful but challenging. Your body is putting in a lot of effort and time to care for the baby in your womb. However, as a mother, you may experience severe pain or discomfort in your own body. You will not be able to change this for a while, but you can ease some of this discomfort and distress. To alleviate pregnancy-related aches and pains, an Epsom salt bath may be just what you need. Epsom salt’s magnesium sulfate has been shown to help relieve muscle tension and pain.
Therefore, the answer to your question about whether you can take an Epsom salt bath while pregnant is a resounding “Yes!” Because they alleviate stress and sore muscles, Epsom salt baths are often recommended by doctors and midwives to pregnant patients, especially in the third trimester.
Magnesium sulfate, or Epsom salt, is a naturally occurring mixture of magnesium and sulfate. It has been used for centuries to treat a wide range of conditions, including migraine headaches, constipation, and muscle tension and pain.
What Is Epsom Salt?
Sulfur, magnesium, and oxygen make up Epsom salt, which is also known as magnesium sulfate. Although it is referred to as a “salt,” it does not contain any sodium chloride. Being discovered in the town of Epsom in Britain led to it being named Epsom salt. It can help restore any deficiency of magnesium in pregnant women, can also reduce stress, and help treat toxemia and hemorrhoids during pregnancy.
Is Lavender Epsom Salt Safe for Pregnancy?
You may be wondering, “Can I have a bath with Epsom salt while pregnant?” The answer is yes. If you are pregnant, soaking in water infused with Epsom salt can be highly beneficial. The best way to use it is in a bath because it dissolves quickly and eases sore muscles. Even during the third trimester of pregnancy, you can take an Epsom salt bath. The best way to use it is in a bath because it dissolves quickly and eases sore muscles.
What are the benefits of Epsom Salt Is Lavender Epsom Salt Safe for Pregnancy?
Epsom salt baths provide numerous benefits to pregnant women, including relaxation, pain relief, and relief from other complications like vaginal irritation. The following are the medical benefits of adding Epsom salts to your bath filled with warm water.
Provide Extra Magnesium
It is widely known that increasing magnesium levels can alleviate cramps and aches. Sulfated magnesium is also beneficial for controlling blood sugar levels and repairing body tissue.
An irritable uterus is one potential source of discomfort during pregnancy. However, adding magnesium can alleviate the condition. Nonetheless, some medications and medical conditions might prevent magnesium from being absorbed.
The deep penetration power of Epsom salts makes it easy for your body to absorb magnesium to increase its level. Magnesium deficiency occurs frequently and can be treated naturally with Epsom salt baths.
Reduces Swelling
The magnesium sulfate in Epsom salt helps to improve blood flow, which in turn helps to reduce fluid retention and pregnancy-related swelling. An Epsom salt foot soak can help reduce foot swelling, which typically occurs during pregnancy.
Improves Skin
Your skin may become stretched during pregnancy to accommodate the growing baby in your belly. Epsom salt can greatly restore and exfoliate your skin, soothing stretch marks and enhancing appearance when used in a bath. Epsom salt can alleviate the itching that occurs when your tummy and joints stretch.
Relief From Aches And Pains
One of the main advantages of taking warm baths with Epsom salt while pregnant is its anti-inflammatory properties. Your ligaments and muscles are put under more stress as your baby grows.
You can alleviate pain in your feet, hips, or back by taking a warm bath with Epsom salts, whether or not you have hemorrhoids. Epsom salt can directly affect the brain’s pain receptors.
Stress Reduction
Simply soaking in hot tubs can help you unwind and relax after a stressful day. Magnesium allows the body to produce more serotonin, a chemical that controls emotions and mood and reduces the effects of adrenaline.
Low serotonin levels can result in depression and irritability. Adding Epsom salts to a bath can increase serotonin levels, which can help you sleep better, feel happier, and feel more at ease.
Treats Hemorrhoids
Epsom salt is an excellent anti-inflammatory. An Epsom salt bath for hemorrhoids during pregnancy has a detoxifying effect because it helps relax the anal area and remove toxins from the sphincter, which generally improves the condition. A bath with Epsom salt will help pregnant women who have hemorrhoids.
Help With Digestion And Constipation
Epsom salts are a natural laxative capable of regulating bowel movements. Epsom salts can aid in cleaning out the bowels by increasing the water content there. It helps to relieve bloating, which is a common issue during pregnancy. It is dangerous to ingest Epsom salt while pregnant, but since it readily passes through the skin, you can bathe in it. By soaking in a hot tub filled with Epsom salt, you can alleviate constipation.
Uplifts Mood
Hormone levels fluctuate constantly during pregnancy as your body adjusts to provide nourishment to the unborn child. You may experience mood swings as a result, which is harmful to both you and your baby. Bathing with Epsom salt can elevate your mood and make you feel more relaxed.
Is Lavender Epsom Salt Safe for Pregnancy? What Happens When We Mix Essential Oil With Epsom Salt In Pregnancy?
Combining Epsom salt and essential oils during pregnancy is not recommended. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make your skin more sensitive, and you may also be sensitive to smells. In addition, the aroma of essential oils can induce nausea and headaches. Therefore, it is suggested to avoid adding essential oils to Epsom salt when taking a bath.
Pregnant women can use Epsom salt to soak in a bath. Epsom salt dissolves well in water. It is commonly used by athletes in the bath to alleviate muscle soreness and aid in muscle recovery after intense exercise.
Add 2 cups of Epsom salt to a warm bath and soak for 12 to 15 minutes. Ensure that the water temperature is not too hot or too cold. Soaking in a hot tub and raising your body temperature too high can put your unborn child at risk. As a result, pregnant women should avoid using hot tubs or baths with very hot water.
Is Lavender Epsom Salt Safe for Pregnancy? Can you take hot baths during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, it is not advisable to take a hot bath, soak in a sauna, or have a hot tub. Anything that raises your core body temperature above 101 degrees Fahrenheit can increase the risk of neural tube defects in babies.
Furthermore, soaking in a too-hot tub could increase the risk of falling, as pregnant women are already prone to dizziness and low blood pressure.
Try to keep the water temperature around 97 or 98 degrees Fahrenheit. You can measure the temperature with a bath thermometer, which will come in handy once you start filling your baby’s bath. It’s recommended to keep your soak under ten minutes, even if the water is only lukewarm. This way, you won’t overheat or dry out your skin.
Precautions While Taking an Epsom Salt Bath When Pregnant
However it seems like a strikingly basic interaction, there are a couple of insurances that must be seen before taking an Epsom salt water shower.
First and foremost, ensure that the water in your bathtub is not too hot. It could be harmful to both you and your unborn child.
Aromatic oils, such as lavender or eucalyptus, should not be added to your Epsom salt bath as this is generally not recommended for safety reasons.
Before using Epsom salt frequently, check with a doctor, as it may be harmful to pregnant women with heart or kidney issues in rare instances.
Never consume or forcefully inject it into your body. In rare cases, magnesium poisoning can occur.
Are There Any Risks of Using Lavender Epsom Salt for Pregnant Women?
Due to its accessibility and low cost, Epsom salt can be used for many of the aforementioned purposes. However, if you intend to use Epsom salt in your bath more than once or twice, it is always advisable to consult a doctor first, regardless of when you plan to use it. As mentioned earlier, in rare instances, it may be harmful to pregnant women with heart or kidney issues. Epsom salts shift fluid from the intestines to other parts of the body. This regulates bowel movement, but it can also cause intestinal cramping and contractions, which can complicate pregnancy, especially if you have a history of miscarriage.
5 Safety Tips For Taking An Epsom Salt Bath While Pregnant
Epsom salt baths are incredibly soothing and can become addictive, but during pregnancy, it is important to use them in moderation and follow safety precautions. To take an Epsom salt bath safely while pregnant, follow these five steps:
Take Warm But Not Hot Baths
You don’t want your bath to be too hot. In addition to increasing your risk of dehydration, taking a hot bath can make you feel faint and dizzy. Ideally, don’t turn on the shower water to more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, so that your core temperature stays within the safe limit.
Showers also cool down while you’re soaking, unlike hot tubs, so make sure that you do not add any more hot water to the bath after you’ve gotten in. Your baby may also be uncomfortable if you ever feel uneasy sitting in the bathtub.
Clean The Bathtub Thoroughly Before Taking The Bath
Although it may seem obvious, it is nonetheless essential to pay attention to. To prevent infections, you should make sure to scrub your bathtub thoroughly with a non-toxic cleaner before using it.
This becomes an especially important point of concern towards the end of your pregnancy when you may lose your mucus plug, particularly in the third trimester when you are more susceptible to infections.
Keep Your Belly Afloat
It is recommended to avoid submerging your belly in the water while taking an Epsom salt bath for added safety. This is easy to implement as your bump is likely already protruding and cannot be fully submerged in the water.
Stay Hydrated
When pregnant, it is crucial to keep yourself hydrated, even during an Epsom salt bath. Before and after your bath, ensure to drink a lot of water, and have a glass of water nearby so you can easily take it if you feel thirsty.
While in the tub, it is essential to only drink water. Caffeinated drinks can dehydrate you, and pregnant women should avoid alcoholic beverages. Therefore, stick to drinking water only.