Is It Ok To Use A Heating Pad On Lower Abdomen While Pregnant?
Pregnancy is not easy; it has never been. There is nothing ordinary about carrying a human in your stomach for nine whole months. There are many complications that come alongside being pregnant. The first pregnancy is always the toughest. From cramps to mood swings, everything is just so new, and you have no idea what to do and whom to go to. Everything feels risky and feels like it could hurt the baby. Out of all the concerns that one has, “is it ok to use a heating pad on the lower abdomen while pregnant?” is the most common confusion among young moms.
Well, it is pretty much safe to use a heating pad to get rid of pregnancy cramps. However, it is better if you do not put it directly on your belly. It is an advisory for pregnant women to avoid prolonged exposure to heat. This would include saunas and hot tubs, too. An increase in the core body temperature may increase the risks of miscarriages or birth defects.
I know this may sound scary. This is why I am here to help you with all the questions you have about using a hot bag during pregnancy and if it is all a safe option when you have a baby bump.
Is It Ok To Use A Hot Bag During Pregnancy?
Many women worry about using a heating pad on lower abdomen while pregnant. It is a legitimate worry because there are potential dangers of heat when you are pregnant. When the body temperature of a woman increases, the temperature of the baby may increase, too. A major increase in the temperature may cause miscarriage or abnormalities in birth.
As long as the heating doesn’t do anything to increase the temperature of the body, it is a safe option to use. Women must avoid using a heating pad overnight or while they are sleeping. This will not let them notice the change in temperature of their body. Therefore, it is best to use the heating pad for short spans like for five to ten minutes.
There are no recent prominent studies that have proved that heating pads could raise the core temperature of the body. In fact, they are pretty helpful to ease back pain and stomach pain during pregnancy.
However, if at any point, the heat starts feeling uncomfortable or uneasy, make sure not to use it.
Why Do You Experience Back Pain Or Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy?
Every pregnancy is different. Every woman might have different reasons as to why they are experiencing cramps during pregnancy. However, there are some common reasons that remain the same throughout the pregnancy. These reasons may include:
- Increase in hormone levels: Your body starts preparing you for the delivery with the release of a number of hormones that help soften the ligaments and loosen the joints. As a result, your back may end up losing all the support. That becomes pretty uncomfortable and painful.
- Shifting the center of gravity: As the uterus expands to accommodate the growing baby, the center of gravity of the body changes. Your posture would follow suit.
- An increase in body weight: A growing baby will eventually increase the weight of your body. Therefore, it gives a lot more weight for your backbone to carry.
- Compromising posture: Adjusting to the new shape may be quite troubling for you. This may result in poor posture. Doing the simplest of the tasks, like standing or sitting for a long time, may stimulate back or hip pain.
Muscle cramps are one of the most prominent symptoms of pregnancy. These sudden muscle spasms come pretty quickly and are intolerably painful.
Almost half of all the pregnant women will experience severe muscle cramps at any point during their pregnancy. While these cramps are common in the legs, they may also occur in the abdomen, back, and even the hands.
Benefits Of Using A Heating Pad During Pregnancy
Heating pads may be a viable alternative to medicated pain relievers. Anyone who chooses to use pain relievers when they are pregnant needs to immediately speak to a doctor about the type of medication that they need to use.
Heat can heal all of the minor injuries, along with:
- Increase in circulation
- Reduce or prevent all the painful muscle spasms
- Help in mobilizing all the stiff muscles
- Help in relieving the pain temporarily
However, you should avoid using a heating pad when you have an open wound, fever, or if an area feels numb.
Some women claim that they feel more relieved by alternatively using cold and hot packs. You need to consult with the doctor before you choose to use ice or heat to relieve abdominal pain during pregnancy.
Is It Safe To Use Heating Pads On The Baby Bump?
Using heating pads temporarily to relieve joint, back, or hip pain during pregnancy is not such a bad option. However, you need to make sure that you are not using it directly anywhere around the abdomen. There are many reasons why you may be experiencing abdominal pain during pregnancy. Some of these reasons may include gas and bloating, round ligament pain, or constipation.
However in other cases, it may be something more serious and needs immediate medical attention, not a heating pad.
You should immediately visit the doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms along with lower abdominal pain:
- Fever and chills
- Bleeding or spotting
- Viganal discharge
- Feeling lightheaded
- Discomfort or pain during urination
- Vomiting or nausea
Soaking in a warm bath or changing your position are better options to relieve abdominal pain during pregnancy. For instance, if you are sitting for too long, try standing up for a couple of minutes.
Other Pain Relief Options During Pregnancy
Instead of using heating pads directly, here are some of the most feasible options that you may try out to relieve abdominal pain during pregnancy:
- Massage
- Relaxation exercises
- Stretching
- Alternative remedies
The Bottom Line
This was all that we had to offer to you on “ is it ok to use a heating pad on lower abdomen while pregnant?”
Pregnancy is one sensitive condition, and women need to be extra careful during this time.
Even the most minor risks can lead to serious issues which one would want to avoid under all circumstances. There are other pain relief options that you may try out rather than using a heating pad. Things get tough, but the more cautious you are, the better it is for the little one growing inside you.
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