A positive pregnancy test comes with a package of happiness and anxiety. It has its ups and downs that need to be cared for, both for the mom-to-be and the unborn baby. Pregnancy is a phase where the body prepares to accommodate a new life and nurtures it till birth, supplying every kind of nutrient that a budding life would need. During the process, women undergo an abundant amount of stress as their bodies start to open the pages of this new unread book of motherhood. This article details the various aspects of Epsom Salt during pregnancy as to what it is, how to use it, the benefits, and precautions for a pregnant woman.
While pregnant and after the child’s birth, a woman’s body endures all the pain and soreness. From accommodating the baby inside her to running behind them after they are born, the entire world of a mother revolves around her children. It is then her body may require and demand some good healing. All these troubles like the soreness of the muscles, itchy skin, and morning sickness may stay away with a soothing Epsom Salt bath during pregnancy that works like therapy.
When we speak about therapy, it is something therapeutic that calms down both the body and mind. Epsom Salt foot soak and body soak during pregnancy are known to be beneficial and healing to both the new moms and the mothers-to-be. Organix Mantra’s USP grade premium quality Epsom Salt has several therapeutic benefits and may help in treating various skin and body problems during pregnancy.
In This Article
- What is Epsom Salt
- What is Epsom Salt made of?
- How Does Epsom Salt Work?
- Is Epsom Salt Safe During Pregnancy?
- Top 3 Benefits of Epsom Salt During Pregnancy
- How to Use Epsom Salt During Pregnancy?
- What Are The Precautions When Using Epsom Salt During Pregnancy?
- Why Should You Not Mix Essential Oils With Epsom Salt During Pregnancy?
- Why is Epsom Salt Better Than Bath Salts During Pregnancy?
- FAQ’s
What is Epsom Salt
Epsom Salt is a chemical compound that occurs in crystallized form. It is a type of bath salt curated for topical use that may help relieve pregnancy stress. Epsom Salt gets its name because it was discovered in a city called Epsom in England.
This salt contains Magnesium as one of its main components that helps regulate blood pressure. Magnesium also helps build bone strength, increases muscle strength, regulates muscle contraction, and decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Magnesium is an interactor in neurotransmitters. It has a vital role in controlling migraine, depression and anxiety.
What is Epsom Salt Made of?
Magnesium, Sulfur, and Oxygen are the three elements of Epsom Salt. The composition contains Magnesium as the cation and Sulfate as the anion. It is in the form of tiny white crystals and is soluble in water.
How Does Epsom Salt Work?
Epsom Salt works as a soothing agent by helping reduce stress and other body aches during pregnancy and postpartum. Dissolve a handful of this salt in water and soak your feet or body. The Magnesium and Sulfate ions get absorbed through the skin and help reduce pregnancy stress and soreness of the body.
It is vital to check the ratio of Epsom Salt to water that goes into your bathtub. If you are starting for the first time, you can soak your feet in a bucket of warm water that contains about half a cup of Epsom Salt. It works like a miracle in reducing stress and detoxifying the body.
Is Epsom Salt Safe During Pregnancy?
Yes, Epsom Salt is safe during pregnancy as long as you don’t ingest it. Soaking your feet or body in this salt water is safe in most cases.
We know that pregnancy brings in certain related conditions like swelling in the feet, and soreness in the body. Soaking your feet in Epsom Salt water can help deal with such problems.
Magnesium helps to deal with stress and anxiety and helps in calming the mind. It is also said to be beneficial in dealing with pain symptoms.
It is also important to remember that not all pregnancies are the same, and not all pregnant bodies react the same way to Epsom Salt. Before starting to use baths and soaks with this salt in them, it will be a good idea to talk to your OBGYN and get proper guidance. Also, you may need to start with minimal amounts of this salt, say half a cup, and slowly increase the quantity if your body accepts it without any side effects.
Warning signs of allergic reactions when using Epsom Salt baths and soaks include
- Stinging sensations in the soaked part,
- Lightheadedness post soaking and
- Skin reactions such as itching or redness of the skin.
In such cases, you should stop using Epsom Salt immediately.
Epsom Salt bath can be mildly dehydrating as the salt and water mixture can pull your skin’s moisture. Remember to drink lots of water when using Epsom Salt during pregnancy, especially if you feel thirstier than usual.
Top 3 Benefits of Epsom Salt During Pregnancy
The top 3 benefits of Epsom Salt during pregnancy are
1. Pain Relief
Pregnancy is a huge change, as the body starts to experience hormonal and other changes to accommodate a new life. These changes will slow down and eventually regress after childbirth while the body gets back to normalcy. But it is vital to deal with them to have a peaceful and stress-free pregnancy. One such example is soreness in the body and feet.
Soaking your feet in warm water mixed with Epsom Salt may help relieve aches and pains during pregnancy and postpartum. The Magnesium present in Epsom Salt is a vital mineral that helps in reducing inflammation and body soreness.
2. Anti-inflammatory Properties
Body aches and soreness are usual during pregnancy. Though normal, it is not easy to live with them. You will have swollen feet and difficulty walking. Soaking your feet in Epsom Salt infused water may help in reducing swelling and inflammation.
Epsom Salt bath eases bowel movement, gives muscle relaxation, and reduces inflammation. This way, it also helps in treating constipation.
3. Stress Relief
Hormonal imbalance is one of the prime reasons for mood swings and stress during pregnancy. Pregnancy stress can also impact your baby’s mental health leading to behavioural problems. For this reason, being stress-free and looking for ways to decompress are both vital when you are pregnant.
Medications are a big no-no at this stage due to the potential harm they can cause to the growing fetus. For this reason, doctors may recommend alternate methods such as yoga, meditation, and mindfulness to keep your mind and body calm and peaceful.
We vouch for soaking your feet in warm water containing Epsom Salt. According to a review article published in the journal Nutrients published by the National Library of Medicine, Magnesium is a mineral that plays a vital role in regulating stress, anxiety, and sleep cycles in the body. For this reason, Magnesium present in Epsom Salt may become the answer to your stress problems.
Soaking your feet in warm water containing Epsom Salt can help Magnesium penetrate through the skin. Adequate levels of Magnesium during pregnancy can help pull down stress and anxiety levels.
How to Use Epsom Salt During Pregnancy?
Epsom Salt can be used in two ways, bathing and foot soaking. Both help in dealing with postpartum stress and body aches. It is vital to be aware of the correct ratio of Epsom Salt to water before using it. Excess Magnesium may lead to Magnesium poisoning. It can be harmful to the fetus.
1. For Foot Soak
Foot soak is an excellent way to not only take the day’s mental stress off but also the pains that accumulate on your legs at the end of the day. There is no better way to unwind before you go to bed than having a relaxing foot soak, especially with the addition of Epsom Salt.
Here is how you can prepare it.
- Take one small cup of Epsom Salt and mix it in a pan/ basin of hot water for foot soaking. These proportions are for pregnant women exclusively.
- The water should be neither hot nor cold but should be tepid.
- The lukewarm temperature instantly relaxes you once you immerse your feet in it.
- Place your feet in this water-salt mixture to soak and relax.
- Hot water may scald your feet and be the reason for the drop in blood pressure. It can be life-threatening to you and the baby.
- Keeping the water warm can help muscles relax and improve blood circulation by relaxing the constricted blood vessels.
2. For Bath
Apart from foot soak, you can add Epsom Salt to your bath too. Here is how you can do it.
- Take two small cups of Epsom Salt and mix it with a bathtub full of warm water.
- Soak your body in the tub and relax for 10-15 minutes.
- If you are not sure about the ratio, consult your doctor for the recommended ratio of water to salt.
- Remember that excess use of salt may lead to skin problems during pregnancy, so you must never overdo it.
What Are The Precautions When Using Epsom Salt During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a delicate phase, any new addition to your routine must be thoroughly researched to ensure it’s safe for you and the little bean taking form and shape within you.
Here are a few precautions we recommend you take when planning to use Epsom Salt.
- Make sure to consult your doctor before taking an Epsom Salt bath.
- Pregnant women should limit their time in the tub to 12–15 minutes to minimize the risk of overheating.
- It is strictly prohibited to ingest Epsom Salt during pregnancy.
- Ingesting Epsom Salt during pregnancy may lead to life-threatening conditions such as Magnesium poisoning.
- It is also vital to check the temperature before immersing your feet.
- Add only the required amounts of Epsom Salt into the water to reduce pregnancy ailments.
Why Should You Not Mix Essential Oils With Epsom Salt During Pregnancy?
Most of us have heard about Essential Oils and their various health and therapeutic benefits.
Essential Oils are the natural extracts of flowers and plants and are the best source of relaxation for your body and mind. They help to relieve headaches, minor body pain aches, and stress. Essential Oils are several types and are known for their versatile benefits. Essential Oils in pure form are highly concentrated and cannot dissolve in water. Whether you are pregnant or not, you must dilute Essential Oils with Carrier Oil before topical application, or else it may cause damage to the skin cells.
During pregnancy, your skin is sensitive due to hormonal changes, and therefore using Essential Oils is not recommended or advised. Similarly, smell sensitivity is another problem during pregnancy, where the aroma of Essential Oils may trigger nausea and headaches in many women. This could be one of the reasons why mixing Essential Oils with Epsom Salt is not a good idea during pregnancy.
Why is Epsom Salt Better Than Bath Salts During Pregnancy?
Bath salts contain diluted Essential Oils as one of the ingredients along with Epsom Salt. That is why pregnant women should not use bath salts. Whereas Epsom Salt helps regulate Magnesium levels in the body, which is known to soothe sore muscles and help relax.
Having adequate magnesium levels in the body can help in reducing stress and aiding neurological benefits for mothers and mothers-to-be. Epsom Salt baths can help treat skin disorders like rashes and dry skin during pregnancy and improve its texture.
Who wouldn’t want a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby? But pregnancy is far different from what we witness. Starting with morning sickness, stretchy and irritating skin, drooping levels of energy, and weight gain all come in a package along with hormonal imbalance. Not to worry, it is still peacefully manageable by keeping all such troubles away. Soak your feet in Epsom Salt mixed water, not too hot, not too cold, but warm and relaxing. It can help soothe the muscles, ease the pain, detoxify the body, aid in better nutrient absorption, and help you stay stress-free and happy. Magnesium is an essential mineral, and a human body may not even notice its loss. Epsom Salt may help balance the loss, thus calming your mind and body.
FAQ’s
1. Are Epsom Salt Baths Good For Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are a common problem during pregnancy and one of the conditions that pregnant women may experience. It can occur due to the pressure applied by the uterus on the leg veins and doubling up blood circulation, causing the veins to bulge, itch, and feel painful.
Epsom Salt relaxes the constricted blood vessels and aids in better blood circulation. Pregnant women with varicose veins can take Epsom Salt baths. It helps in reducing inflammation and decreases the size of the vein. Dissolving Epsom Salt in warm water and immersing the affected area can help treat the problem to a large extent.
2. Does Epsom Salt Help With Pregnancy Swelling?
Fluid retention and resultant swelling are common during pregnancy and happen due to the hormonal changes increasing blood volume. Due to gravity, fluid retention usually occurs in the feet and leads to swelling and discomfort.
Soaking your feet in Epsom Salt dissolved water can help reduce inflammation. Magnesium in Epsom Salt acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. A USP grade Epsom Salt detoxifies and relaxes the feet from swelling and discomfort.
3. Should You Rinse Off After a Bath in Epsom Salt-infused Water?
Since Epsom Salt is soluble in water, there is no need to rinse it off after a bath.
4. Can I Ingest Epsom Salt During Pregnancy?
No. It is important to note that ingesting Epsom Salt is not suggestable unless supervised by the doctor. It applies to both pregnancy and otherwise.
