If you believe everything you hear, you might be under the impression that pregnancy is a magical experience for everyone—your skin glows, your hair looks great and you’re always excited about growing a new life. But let’s face it: that’s not the case for most women, no matter how happy they are to meet their new baby. Pregnancy is often an exhausting, painful and messy process. Customers often ask if they can use bath bombs while pregnant, since bath bombs are a fun and relaxing way to take some of the physical and mental stress out of your daily life.

For the most part, bath bombs are perfectly safe to use during pregnancy, especially when they’re made with high-quality, natural ingredients. However, there are two things you should watch out for when buying bath bombs.

Avoid certain essential oils

When you’re purchasing bath bombs, check the ingredient list first. Some essential oils can cause contractions, which can be dangerous depending on the stage of pregnancy. Always consult your medical doctor about what to avoid—or, if you’re trying to induce labor, double-check to make sure you have your doctor’s approval first.

Essential oils that can cause contractions include clary sage, clove, cinnamon, juniper berry, thyme, mustard, basil, nutmeg and bitter almond. If you see these on the ingredient list, choose another variety—there are plenty of safe scents that won’t harm you or your child.

As long as you pick a safe and approved bath bomb scent, you’ll be free to relax in the tub, free of worry.

Limit your bathing time

Pregnant or not, some essential oils may cause UTIs or rashes if you soak in them for too long. Try to get out of the tub after about 20 minutes, and pay close attention to whether you notice any itching sensations afterwards. You may have a skin sensitivity to the specific ingredients in that bath bomb, in which case you should avoid those ingredients in the future.

Another reason to limit your bathing time is the water temperature—a pregnant woman’s core temperature should be below 101 degrees Fahrenheit. You’re more prone to overheating during pregnancy, so be prepared to take a cool shower if the bath ends up being too hot.

Be careful getting in and out

Finally, make sure you’re careful getting in and out of the tub. This is solid advice for anyone, regardless of pregnancy, but pregnant women are often coping with a different and unfamiliar body shape and center of gravity. Since bath bombs can leave slick residue in your tub, you’ll need to be extra careful not to slip when getting in or out of the bathtub.

As long as you keep these tips in mind, you should be able to enjoy a safe, relaxing bath with your favorite Soaps & Scents bath bombs.

For more information about our bath bombs, including bath bomb safety information, call or visit Soaps & Scents today. Be sure to check out our selection of handmade bath bombs to find your perfect match!