Is Nicole Richie Putting Her Baby in Danger?

by Jonathon Morgan (Subscribe to Jonathon Morgan's posts) Sep 25th 2007 12:10PM

I'm not sure anyone (other than Paris Hilton) expected Nicole Richie to do a decent job looking after her unborn child. After all, she wasn't exactly capable of looking after herself before the pregnancy. Plus, even though you'd like to think that motherhood would ground even the loopiest people, we've all watched Britney prove that, for celebrities, the opposite appears to be true. So I suppose it's no surprise that some recent photos seem to indicate that Nicole may be putting her baby in danger.

That's Richie in Hawaii, hanging out in a hot tub on vacation. Seems normal enough, but apparently hot tubs, Jacuzzis and whirlpools are off-limits from pregnant women, because they cause abnormally high body temperatures which could lead to birth defects. I'm a parent, and didn't know that, so I suppose it's possible that the reality TV star simply wasn't aware that she could be doing harm to her unborn child. However, there's a warning for pregnant woman in bold letters on the sign right next to the pool.

So what's the problem: that she doesn't care, or can't read?

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Comments (101)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)

Sandyone 9-25-2007 @ 12:27PM

Another possibility is that the jacuzzi temperature was turned down low. I'm anti-jacuzzi (nasty rashes appear on my body) to begin with, but during my last pregnancy, I had back problems and used a neighbor's jacuzzi in the middle of winter. She set the temperature to 97 degrees for me and I had a sort-of blissful hour of not having to hold my own weight up.

Eva 9-25-2007 @ 12:48PM

I think the real risk is during the first trimester. But nonetheless I avoided saunas and things during pregnant to be on the safe side. Of course, I did take hot baths, but never immersed my tummy.

bluepaintred 9-25-2007 @ 12:54PM

I went in hot tubs throughout all three of mine, I just went in from hip down. cant help but notice her belly is out of the water as well. Its not that difficult to tell when you are hot and get out.

Kellie 9-25-2007 @ 1:44PM

I just had a baby a week ago and I went in all the time. If it was a really hot tub I wold just go in and keep my belly out (sit on the top step). If it was medium I would go in and if I was starting to sweat I would get out. That is what my doc and midwife recommended anyway.

Allison 9-25-2007 @ 4:11PM

I'll admit I went in once with my second child. I went in for only two minutes at a time and mostly just dangled my legs in. We don't really know how long she has been in there, do we?

kristin 9-25-2007 @ 6:29PM

in japan, pregnant women take hot baths and go into hot springs on a regular basis. as long as you follow your body's comfort level, it really shouldn't be a problem. i went into a jacuzzi regularly with my first pregnancy, as well as hot springs, and i've had no problems with my children or their health.

A 9-25-2007 @ 7:51PM

We have a hot tub and my wife went in regularly. The first few times she'd check her temp about every 5 mins to see if there was a change in body temp. After that, we had a pretty good idea of how long she could stay.
Even then she always set the timer and sat up to cool off every 5 min and never more that about 20-ish minutes in total.

Generally speaking, if you check your temp a few times before going in and then again after you've been in a few minutes, you'll have a pretty good idea if you're body temps gone up or not. If it has, probably means it's time to get out.

Sideways-8 9-26-2007 @ 1:22PM

She only has her legs in, which apparently isn't a huge deal. This girl has been, from everything I have seen and read, trying to do the best for this baby. Why does she constantly have to be picked on and scrutinized because of her past? Please get your facts straight before bashing someone.

nurse betty 9-29-2007 @ 6:15AM

The danger to your baby is in elevating your body temperature.

christy 9-29-2007 @ 6:46AM

It's also possible that as a first time mom that she just doesn't know, i certainly wasn't aware with my first. Also as another person commented the temp could have been turned down really low. Don't judge before you have all of the facts, that's one of the htings that's wrong with the world today.

baby joey 9-29-2007 @ 6:54AM

Expecting Moms,
There are medical reasons not to over heat while pregnant. That quickly and directly affects the baby. Don't take pre-natal advice from a gossip blog.

martha 9-29-2007 @ 7:12AM

MAYBE SHE JUST DIDN'T KNOW --

shannon francis 9-29-2007 @ 7:32AM

i know when i was pregnant my doc said no longer than 15 minutes in the jacuzzi. my daughter came out borderline genius... she'll be a fine mom. atleast she eats now!

Mercedes 9-29-2007 @ 7:43AM

Never mind the jacuzzi - what about her habit of drinking to the point of excess? I anyone alarmed that the warnings on the side of a bottle (caution not to drink to prefent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) often go un-noticed by jet setters and common women alike?? Her history of drinking and driving, etc. is a cause for concern since she is likely to drink more often than get into a hot tub.

Lia 9-29-2007 @ 7:40AM

She didn't care about her own life before, so why would anyone think she's capable of caring about another life? Celebrities life a life of what they consider entitlement, and they can't comprehend the fact that everything will not be going their way at some point. Pitiful.

Tiffany 9-29-2007 @ 7:46AM

You know I am pregnant with my second, and a jaccuzzi is the least of your worries when your pregnant. Doctors now days would rather have all pregnant women stay in bed, get up to eat and use the bathroom. They are way to over protective. I used hot tubs and jaccuzzis with both my children, and both a perfect, so far. Nicole looks very healthy and she looks as if shes taking great care of herself. I wish her all the luck, and i have a feeling shes going to be a great mom. Good luck Nicole!

Susan 9-29-2007 @ 7:57AM

The sign says to consult with a physician first. So how do we know she didn't?

christina 9-29-2007 @ 8:16AM

obviously that sign is not at that pool, not all pools post that sign in clear veiw of the publics eye. and how many people know that hot tubs are bad for pregnant women? probably not many. just because kids cant go near it doesn't mean prego cant. or does it? either way you have to give her the benifit of the doubt.

Sue 9-29-2007 @ 8:20AM

It's nice to see her smiling, and it was nice to hear people defend her. I'm sick of all the bashing.

Faith 9-29-2007 @ 10:25AM

There is no indication of how long Ms. Richie was in the jacuzzi. She doesn't appear to be fully submerged. As an RN, I feel Ms. Richie has presented herself as very responsible and protective of of her unborn child throughout her pregnancy. I'm quite sure she consults with her OB or midwife regularly, as would any responsible pregnant woman. I congratulate Ms. Richie and all moms-to-be. TRUST YOURSELVES, LADIES. That's the most important information anyone can give you! God Bless......