Can I have heat?

So I don't know if this is fact or fiction. I've been told never to take to hot of a shower or get to hot as I could over heatthe babies. Is this true? My back is killing me and with my partner away right now I would LOVE to put a heating pad on my lower back for a few minutes!!! Is that ok?

 

I've heard the same thing, so while I was pregnant I didn't take REALLY hot showers or use heating pads. :blush: ardon: I'm not sure if it's fact or fiction, but I didn't just in case. I would call your doctor and see what they say. :good:

 

My doctor said heating pads on the back were ok. I'd put it on a medium setting, and not leave it on too long.

and I always heard not to take hot baths, but showers were ok? (Big oops if that's the case, lately, I've been so congested I shower at least twice a day - the steam really helps clear up my sinuses)

 

I've used a heating pad off and on during my pregnancy. I wasn't sure at first either, but as long as your not putting it directly on your stomach and your body is not overheating you should be ok.

 

QUOTE(EricaM @ Oct 7 2008, 09:44 AM) [snapback]1015653[/snapback]
My doctor said heating pads on the back were ok. I'd put it on a medium setting, and not leave it on too long.

and I always heard not to take hot baths, but showers were ok? (Big oops if that's the case, lately, I've been so congested I shower at least twice a day - the steam really helps clear up my sinuses)



So thats enough for me :lol: . Im soooo ready to get some relief that at least for today I'll try a low to medium heat until I go in again. Has anyone tried tennis balls? I have a friend who swears by it for her back pain but she's not pregnant.

 

I know that during my first pregnancy, our class told us to use tennis balls during the last trimester to apply back pressure and that they were helpful during back labor to alleviate the pain.... I have no clue how they actually work when pregnant.

Good luck,
Dominique

 

I never took hot showers or baths while pregnant--I dotn know how true it is,but it made me feel better to not do so

 

I LOVE a HOT bath and I take them just like I normally always have. My body lets me know when its time to get out. I dont stay in long enough to over heat, but long enough to relax. As for a heating pad, I use one, but I only use it for my lower joints.

 

I'm a hot bath girl as well. I've lowered the temp since being pregnant, but my baths definitely get me through some aches and pains. Just make sure your core body temp doesn't get too high.

 

Warm is fine. Just don't make the water so hot that you have to get into it slowly.

 

From pregnancytoday.com:


Can I take a sauna during pregnancy? If yes, do I have to stop in the 3rd trimester?

It is never recommended that you take a sauna during pregnancy regardless of the trimester for the following reasons:

1) The increased ambient temperature (outside) of the sauna may raise, under certain conditions, your core body temperature. Most core body temperatures range from 97 to 98.8 degrees. There have been documented complications to pregnancy when a woman's core body temperature has been raised. Poor fetal outcomes have been implicated when the pregnant woman's core body temperature has been raised above normal, especially in the first trimester.

2) One of the supposed benefits of a sauna is that the high temperature causes the veins to dilate (or open up) and then the body can release its impurities through the skin in the form of sweat. In a normal pregnancy, a woman has increased blood volume and decreased vascular tone compared to the non-pregnant woman. Therefore, the sauna potentates the woman's pregnant state and she is at risk for dehydration (more sweating) and hypotension (veins opening/dilating to much). This can make the woman feel lightheaded and she risks personal injury leaving the sauna. Also, the low blood pressure does not favor the blood flow to your placenta or baby.

It is best, however, to review this and any other information you have regarding pregnancy and saunas with your health care provider.

 

Damn, I hit reply before I was finished with my response.

So, I think it's okay to take hot showers as long as it isn't so hot and you are in there so long you have turned your bathroom into a sauna.

Doublecheck with your doctor about the heating pad, but mine said it was okay on my back for 15-20 minutes on a med setting.

 

Just popping in here for a few. This is how I get my baby fix, lol. I am a long, hot, bath kinda gal. I asked (2000) if it was ok to take baths while pregnant. My OB said it was fine as long as it wasn't to hot, temp should be under 100. Hot tubs are not allowed though, as they are way to hot. HTH

 

I have a lot of mid back pain and I saw my OB today and told him I put heat on it to relieve the pain. He said that as good if it went away.
I take hot showers but no baths or jacuzzi;s