Heating Pad Usage

[tracyawade]

Does anyone use a heating pad, or know if it is safe?

 

[itsme122]

My MW said heating pads were fine on Medium. I've been using mine pretty regularly since the beginning. Since this is my first, my muscles don't seem to like what's happening so I get pretty achy.

When my back hurts, I lay on it with it on High as I don't see it being an issue on the back, on the outside of my clothes. But if it goes on my belly or directly onto my skin, it's Medium or Low.

But you know the drill. Check with your OB or MW just in case.

 

[nyllioness]

My OB said it's perfectly safe but I asked for my lower back - I never use it on my belly. My OB tends to be on the cautious side about everything too so if she says it's safe I trust her. And I'm so glad she did because my lower back and hips have been killing me this pregnancy (this is baby #4 for me and I never had this much pain in my hips and back with the others) and the heating pad has really helped so I'm not so stiff.

 

[misspriss]

I use it on high on my back and hips all the time, I never thought to ask since it was so far from the baby. I wouldn't use it on my stomach though! I'm sure it would be fine. The size of the heating pad on your back will not raise your core temperature or the temp of your stomach.

 

[ttc1soon]

My fact sheet from my doctors office says says not to use it on abdomen and to only use it on medium or low on back and to not use it for more than 30 minutes at a time.

 

[Stake]

Everyone kept telling me not to use it and i got so annoyed i finally asked my doctor she said its fine on your back and actually beneficial. i didnt ask her about abdomen but i would assume thats a bad idea.

 

[frsttimemama]

I asked my doctor, and she said it's perfectly fine to use it. I asked about my back because that's what's been sore and it's helpful.

 

[artsymomma]

I haven't used heating pads, but I did wake up with a scare one night after accidentally leaving a heating blanket on high and woke up in sweat. I had done a lot of research and I found quite a few opinions on that at the time. What I found was that, just like taking a hot bath, you don't want to raise your body temp up past 100 degrees or so. Obviously, a large blanket covering your body could do so. There were also docs who had warned of the dangers of the radiation that comes from heating pads and blankets. Apparently some give off more than others. Your back might be a safer place to protect from potential radiation, but as many readers suggested, I certainly wouldn't use it near your belly. If this is a potential concern, you may want to look into more natural remedies, such as a rice heating pad. If you're the 'green' type or are interested in more information, check this out: https://tipnut.com/make-your-own-microwave-heating-pad/

 

[RaisinKane13]

My Doctor told me that it was fine. I actually have been having some round ligament pain and they told me to use it on my stomach. I have fell asleep with it on there and my little girl is fine. Heating pads only go so hot and then that's it, so I'm sure its not that big of a deal. I use it on high too and i am very grateful I have one because it has been a life saver through this pregnancy.