Can I Use a Heating Pad While Pregnant for Cramps

Does Mommy like to use heating pad while pregnant, coincidentally today PregnancyMommy will discuss about "Can I Use a Heating Pad While Pregnant for Cramps"

Is using a heating pad safe during pregnancy. Using heat can be a simple way to resolve pregnancy-related aches and pains in your hips, back, and joints. But, should you avoid it so that it doesn’t raise a woman’s body temperature?

If you’re worried, you can always wrap a towel around your heating pad, too. If you’re still freaked, Ross recommends some other remedies to help with pregnancy cramping and similar aches a heating pad can relieve. “Rest and hydration are also effective at relieving mild cramps associated with pregnancy. Drinking water, warm or hot, helps relax the uterine muscles.” So it looks like it’s time to turn on that kettle for some warm tea.

What's the deal with those cramps anyway? Aren’t your days of period cramps supposed to be over for the next nine months? Ross says it’s completely normal and quite common. “Cramping is more noticeable in the lower abdomen since the uterus expands, further stretching the ligaments and muscles located in this area,” she says. The APA noted that cramping may be more noticeable when you cough or sneeze since your uterus is stretching and pulling. In the early stages of pregnancy, that cramping you’re feeling could be the embryo implanting into your uterus. The APA added that additional causes of cramping include gas and bloating and sex.

How Does Heat Help Normally?

Heat treatments allows tight muscles to relax. It is a side-effect-free (normally) way to ease those aches and pains and help your body re-align itself.

While it doesn’t always take the pain away entirely, it does help to “take the edge off”.


Using heat packs in pregnancy

Midwife and Philips Avent ambassador, Liz Wilkes suggests using caution when using heat for comfort during pregnancy.

"Women should avoid becoming overheated during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester. So, the answer to the whether using heat packs is safe question is 'it depends'," says Wilkes.

"If a heat pad will increase the mother's temperature overall, then they should be avoided. However if they are for localised relief of muscular aches and pains they are very useful."

Heat therapy works by opening up the blood vessels which increases blood flow. That means fresh blood with the nutrients and oxygen it brings, gets to the places it needs to be, easing pain and soreness in joints and muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Localised heat therapy is great, non-invasive way to find comfort in specific areas like back, hips, joints and muscles during your pregnancy.


How to use a heat pack in pregnancy

Heat packs come in a variety of forms – microwavable, electric, hot water bottles. If you have questions about a specific heating item, seek medical advice before using.

When using a heat pack during pregnancy there are some basic guidelines that should be followed to keep you and baby safe.

•     Don't use heat packs in a way that will raise your core temperature
•     Avoid using heat packs on your abdominal area
•     Don't apply heat for longer than 10-15 minutes
•     Avoid applying a heat pack directly onto your skin, instead use it over clothing or with a towel or fabric in between your skin and the heat
•     Don't use a heat pack while sleeping
•     If a temperature choice is available, use the lowest setting

How can pregnant women use a heating pad

Heating pads for back and body pains are completely safe to use during pregnancy. But you definitely need to remember to apply a heating pad safely in order to prevent raising your overall body temperature. Increasing your body temperature using several heating pads all at once could cause developmental issues in your growing baby.

Take care when using a heating pad on a regular basis. The heating pad is an electrical device. Therefore, use it with caution and supervision. Always unplug the heating pad after use and do not use it while you are sleeping, enjoy heat therapy before bedtime. Continuous exposure could cause burns and can affect the baby. Electric heating pads are also unsafe for children to use, so it is of utmost importance that you store your device away from children’s reach.

You may also want to try a heatpack (like our Hug heatpack!) that can also be used cold, to help with headaches, morning sickness and swelling, or even recovery and post-birth or C section.

Here's a little advice for using Hug while pregnant:

•     Wear or apply Hug on top of a layer of clothing
•     Try to keep heat application to 20 minute sessions
•     Use your Hug at the lowest temperature that you gain benefit from, and keep an eye on the colour changing temperature indicator on the front to ensure you are using it at a safe temperature.
•     Avoid falling asleep whilst using your Hug.

Causes of pain during pregnancy are:

1.     Rising hormone levels: Your body prepares for delivery with the release of hormones that help your ligaments soften and your joints loosen. As a result, your back may not be as well-supported. That can be uncomfortable and/or painful.
2.     Shifting centre of gravity: As your uterus expands to accommodate your growing baby, your centre of gravity changes. Your posture may follow suit.
3.     Increased weight: As the numbers on the scale tick upward, your back has more weight to support.
4.     Compromised posture: Adjusting to your new shape can lead to poor posture. Things like sitting or standing for too long, or even bending over, can worsen a sore back and hips.
5.     Muscle cramps can be very common for some women, can appear quickly and be particularly painful. About half of pregnant women can experience these spasms, and can even occur in back, abdomen, hands and feet!

What to look out for:

Of course, if you suffer unusual levels of pain, especially on the left or right of your abdomen during your early weeks and before you have had a scan you should speak to a health professional as this could be a sign of ectopic pregnancy.

After your scan, some women feel period type pains or tugging and pulling around their pelvis and the bottom of their stomach. This can be caused by your womb stretching and growing with your pregnancy. This is a great time to use your Warm Hug around the affected areas. You can also try paracetamol tablets.

Pain in your stomach or pelvis when you try to pass urine, passing urine more often or struggling to pass urine may be a sign that you have a urine infection. Ring your GP to be seen that day, or to speak about any pain concerns you may have during pregnancy.