A friend who is unhappily pregnant and wants to lose the pregnancy was told by her physician to take a "hot bath." I have had two miscarriages and suffered through one termination due to abnormalities. Now I'm scared that I had my miscarriages because I took hot baths! Is this a cause of miscarriage? I always take baths. Do you think this was the cause? I'm really distressed. I do have two healthy children -- both born before my miscarriages.

--LJC

It is unlikely that hot baths caused your miscarriages. While studies have suggested that raising your core temperature may be a risk for miscarriage, this requires more than an occassional hot bath. Prolonged exposure to water over 101 degrees F is necessary to raise your internal body temperature. Still, I would advise against any use of a sauna or hot tub during a pregnancy. I really have no way to determine the cause of your previous miscarriages, but after two losses, I would suggest you speak to your physician about specific testing that may be done to reduce the risk of a future loss.