Hot Water Bottle During Pregnancy: Is This Allowed?

Many pregnant women suffer from back and stomach pain. But hot-water bottle and pregnancy – is that going well? We clarify!

The anticipation for the baby is huge, but pregnancy naturally brings with it one or two aches and pains. Be it abdominal pain, back pain or flatulence, in the case of classic pregnancy complaints in early pregnancy or in later stages of pregnancy, warmth often provides relief. But is a hot-water bottle on the stomach as a classic household remedy against stomach ache also recommended during pregnancy?

When can the hot water bottle become dangerous during pregnancy?

In fact, caution is advised when using hot water bottles if you are pregnant. If the hot-water bottle is too hot, it can become problematic – as many mistakenly think, not only in early pregnancy. The unborn child is not able to regulate its own body temperature, it takes on heat from outside and can therefore overheat. The possible consequences: Damage during early childhood development, brain damage to the foetus or miscarriage.

Especially in the last trimester of pregnancy, when the baby lies directly under the abdominal wall, you should definitely avoid too much heat. In early pregnancy, on the other hand, the risk is lower because your baby can still make itself comfortable behind the abdomen and bladder and therefore does not feel the heat directly.

Hot water bottle during pregnancy: What you should consider

But you still don’t have to do without your beloved hot water bottle. If you observe the following rules, the pleasant warmth is harmless.

• The hot water bottle must never be hotter than 40 degrees. By the way, this also applies to a relaxing bath in the tub – not only for the health of the baby, but also for the sake of your circulation.
• Do not pour boiling water into the hot water bottle. On the one hand this is too hot, on the other hand there is the danger of the rubber bursting.
• Do not place the rubber bottle directly on your skin. In addition to the protective cover, wrap it in another cloth for safety’s sake before placing it on your stomach or back.
• Sometimes it can be enough to warm up the bed with a hot water bottle before you snuggle in. This way you can relieve your pain without any risk.
• Keep your hands off heating pads! Your temperature is difficult to control.
• Unlike the heating pad, you play it safe with a cherry stone pillow or grain pillow if you are pregnant. The heat sources can be easily heated in the oven or in the microwave and do not naturally take on such high temperatures that you do not have to worry about the worm in your stomach.

Alternatives to the hot water bottle: Heat from inside

If you prefer not to use hot water bottles at all during pregnancy, you can try to alleviate your symptoms with heat from within.

• A pleasantly warm tea can relax, unwind and help with digestion. Ask your midwife for special tea blends that have been tried and tested for centuries as home remedies in women’s health.
• Pepper and chilli are also known to heat up the body properly. In addition, the spices stimulate digestion, which in turn has an antispasmodic effect and can help with flatulence and stomach ache. But beware: ban cumin, cinnamon, fenugreek and mugwort from your diet until birth! These spices are considered to promote labour pains. If you are unsure about certain foods or would like information about natural remedies, it is best to ask your midwife.