Is Using a Hot Water Bag Safe during Pregnancy?
If you are pregnant and confused to use a hot water bag to get relief from the backache, then here are the precautions you should use while using it while you are pregnant.
Dr. Sarita Jain
Jul 9, 2019
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With the elation of pregnancy news comes the trouble of body pain and, especially, back pain. To get relief from the back ache, you may want to use a heating pad or a hot water bag. But keep this in mind that changing the body temperature can affect negatively to your baby, so it is better you should think twice about doing it, that is why many mothers still ponder, can we use a hot water bag during pregnancy for pain relief?
As, it is advised to pregnant woman to stay away from hot baths and saunas and other scenarios that raise the core body temperature, nearly all mothers ponder about the safety of using a hot water bag during pregnancy. The reality check is that the pregnant woman can use the hot water bag for pain relief without worrying about the baby. The use of hot water bag is absolutely safe to be used during the pregnancy, but the pregnant woman must take some precautions that are discussed below.
Precautions that Pregnant Women should Take While Using Hot Water Bottle
- The water in the bag is should be just hot enough to make you feel warm in the applied area without feeling the burn on your skin.
- The usage of the hot water bag should be limited to half an hour or so. If you want to again use it, apply it after an hour so that your body temperature doesn’t ascend due to the continued applying hot water bag.
- Don’t lie down directly on the hot water bag. Use it just like you would use a cushion while sitting on a sofa.
- Do not fill the bag completely to its capacity. Keep it half empty so that it stays flat. This ensures that when using to treat your back-ache, it doesn’t cause your spine to bend.
- While, you are using an electric heating pad, once the pad reaches the maximum temperature, switch it off so that it doesn’t keep heating up further.
- Do not try to use the hot water bag directly on your body. It's better to wrap it in a cloth or a towel and let the heat radiating through that bring relief to you.
- Never pour boiling water directly into a water bag. Not only does it harm the material of the bag, but dribbling any water drop could even harm your skin as well.
- When you are using the bag under your back, keep the pillow under your feet so that your back always remains well-supported and balanced.
- Before using hot water bag on your body, always make sure to check that the hot water bag for any wear and tear or any damage that might be caused. Ensure that it isn’t leaking from anywhere and even the lid is securely tightened.
Undertaking some light exercises to maintain the strength of your back as well as changing certain lifestyle choices, like wearing flats instead of heeled shoes, can further improve your posture and reduce the chances of such aches.
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