Hot Showers During Pregnancy And Autism: Are They Linked?

Anxiety can affect between 20 and 40% of pregnant women. Pregnancy can be worrisome, and many women are concerned that their child may be born with defects. 

There are many myths, misconceptions, and falsities surrounding what pregnant women should and shouldn’t do – resulting in an increased need for research materials and resources for pregnant women.

So, do hot showers during pregnancy lead to autism, or is this just another myth? Keep reading as we discuss autism, congenital disabilities, and the effect of hot showers on babies during pregnancy.

What Is Autism?

Autism spectrum disorder can be mild or severe and has varying effects based on the affected individual. It is a disability caused by cognitive differences, as an autistic individual has a different brain from a neurotypical individual.

The causes of autism are yet unclear, and scientists believe that there are multiple causes of autism spectrum disorder.

Generally, you will not know that your child has autism spectrum disorder until they are around three years of age. This is because the condition affects how autistic people communicate, think, and interact with others.

To help you understand more about the disorder, here are some of the signs and symptoms you might notice in an autistic baby:

• Limited eye contact and avoidance of eye contact.
• Not responding to names by 9 months of age.
• Limited facial expressions by 9 months of age (inability to express anger, happiness, or sadness).
• Failure to engage in simple games (like pattycake) by 9 months of age.
• Inability to use gestures like waving by 12 months of age.
• Inability to play pretend as the child reaches 48 months of age.
• Inability to sing, dance, or play act at 60 months of age.

Some of these symptoms may be present in a child without autism. Still, they can indicate that your child may have autism and that it would be best to seek the counsel of a licensed professional with extensive knowledge of how autism manifests in children.

Autism is a congenital disability rather than a behavioral condition learned during the formative years. 

Can Hot Showers During Pregnancy Lead To Autism?

The misinformation and debate about what pregnant mothers should and shouldn’t do can lead to much confusion. 

For instance, doctors recommend pregnant women limit their coffee drinking to under 200mg per day, but some women espouse that pregnant women should avoid coffee entirely. In these instances, it’s best to stick to guidelines from a reliable medical institution.

Generally, the medical consensus on hot showers during pregnancy is that they may contribute to congenital disabilities. When a woman’s body temperature is too high (above 102 degrees Fahrenheit), this can contribute to congenital disabilities, along with neural tube defects, which connect to autism.

Additionally, hot temperatures can cause dehydration in-utero, which can lead to further complications.

So, if you’re pregnant, you should limit the temperature of your showers to a warm temperature below 102 degrees. This preventative measure will decrease the likelihood of your child developing a congenital disability due to drastic changes in body temperature during pregnancy.

What Else Should Women Avoid During Pregnancy To Avoid Birth Defects?

Since hot showers can lead to birth defects and neural tube defects, let’s discuss some other causes of neural tube defects,  so that you can navigate pregnancy with lessened concern about birth defects in your child.

Here are some of the top things to avoid that are linked to neural tube defects, birth defects, and potential autistic spectrum disorder:

• Prescription medications – you should always refer to your doctor for advice when taking any medication during pregnancy. If you’re trying to get pregnant, reach out to your doctor to adjust your prescription for a healthy pregnancy.

• Diabetes and weight gain – your BMI and diabetes can have a significant effect on fetal health and birth defects. During and before pregnancy, you should manage your weight to ensure healthy fetal development.

• Smoking and alcohol – smoking and alcohol are linked to birth defects and can negatively impact fetal health. If you’re trying to encourage a healthy pregnancy, you should quit smoking and alcohol entirely during your term.

• Caffeine – there is a small link between excessive caffeine consumption and autism spectrum disorder. If you’re pregnant, you should consider limiting or eliminating your caffeine consumption.

• Solvents – solvents can be toxic in large quantities, and can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, and birth defects. When you decide to have a baby, you should clear out your solvent-based products and make room for solvent-free alternatives.

How To Stay Healthy Throughout Your Pregnancy

If you are maintaining your health during pregnancy, your baby will be less likely to exhibit birth defects. To help you encourage a healthy birth and healthy development for your child, read the information below on how to stay healthy during pregnancy:

• Folic acid – taking 300mg of folic acid every day throughout your pregnancy can seriously contribute to healthy fetal development.

• Balanced diet – eating a balanced diet and avoiding processed foods during  your pregnancy will be conducive to healthy development for your baby.

• Exercise – to ensure you maintain a healthy weight throughout your pregnancy, you should maintain light to moderate exercise. Your doctor will be able to advise you on which exercises are safe for pregnant women during each trimester.

• Speak to your healthcare provider – you should speak to your healthcare provider to get advice throughout your pregnancy and to ensure that your daily habits won’t lead to any harmful consequences for your child.

• Avoid toxic or harmful substances – household chemicals, petrol, and unclean air can all be damaging for pregnant women in significant amounts. You should make a list of the toxic or harmful substances you use regularly, and aim to replace them with less harmful alternatives. For instance, switching to a roll-on deodorant to avoid solvents.

Summary

When it comes to pregnancy, it is extremely difficult to discern the truth of what you should and shouldn’t do. If you’re unsure, you should stick to advice from medical institutions, medical journals, and licensed doctors. 

Autism is a birth defect that many mothers worry about during pregnancy, and hot showers can increase the risk that your baby will be born with autism. In addition to hot showers, there are several other things to avoid during pregnancy for a healthy child.

^{[1] A Systematic Review of the Link Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Acetaminophen: A Mystery to Resolve, interpreting data from Parker SE, Collett BR, Werler MM: Maternal acetaminophen use during pregnancy and childhood behavioural problems: Discrepancies between mother- and teacher-reported outcomes. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2020, 34:299-308. 10.1111/ppe.12601).}

^{[2] Paracetamol use during pregnancy—a call for precautionary action, Bauer, A.Z., Swan, S.H., Kriebel, D., Liew, Z., Taylor, H.S., Bornehag, C.G., Andrade, A.M., Olsen, J., Jensen, R.H., Mitchell, R.T. and Skakkebaek, N.E., 2021. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 17(12), pp.757-766.}

^{[3] A Systematic Review of the Link Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Acetaminophen: A Mystery to Resolve, interpreting data from Parker SE, Collett BR, Werler MM: Maternal acetaminophen use during pregnancy and childhood behavioural problems: Discrepancies between mother- and teacher-reported outcomes. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2020, 34:299-308. 10.1111/ppe.12601).}

^{[4] Paracetamol use during pregnancy—a call for precautionary action, Bauer, A.Z., Swan, S.H., Kriebel, D., Liew, Z., Taylor, H.S., Bornehag, C.G., Andrade, A.M., Olsen, J., Jensen, R.H., Mitchell, R.T. and Skakkebaek, N.E., 2021. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 17(12), pp.757-766.}