It is never recommended that you take a sauna during pregnancy regardless of the trimester for the following reasons:

1) The increased ambient temperature (outside) of the sauna may raise, under certain conditions, your core body temperature. Most core body temperatures range from 97 to 98.8 degrees. There have been documented complications to pregnancy when a woman's core body temperature has been raised. Poor fetal outcomes have been implicated when the pregnant woman's core body temperature has been raised above normal, especially in the first trimester.

2) One of the supposed benefits of a sauna is that the high temperature causes the veins to dilate (or open up) and then the body can release its impurities through the skin in the form of sweat. In a normal pregnancy, a woman has increased blood volume and decreased vascular tone compared to the non-pregnant woman. Therefore, the sauna potentates the woman's pregnant state and she is at risk for dehydration (more sweating) and hypotension (veins opening/dilating to much). This can make the woman feel lightheaded and she risks personal injury leaving the sauna. Also, the low blood pressure does not favor the blood flow to your placenta or baby.

It is best, however, to review this and any other information you have regarding pregnancy and saunas with your health care provider.

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