Hot water bottle for contractions?

Cottontail

Hey everyone, here's a question I was talking to my Husband about last night... I know people say that when they're in labour things like a bath/shower helps to ease the pain in the early stages (didn't try it myself last time) but would it be Ok to use a hot water bottle? I used to find this great when I had bad period pains in the past but I'm worried that a hot water bottle might be too hot for the baby, in the same way you're not supposed to have hot baths. What do you think?

Ayla

Hot baths drop your blood pressure, which is why they're not always recommended for preg women. It has nothing to do with heating up the baby.

A hot water bottle would be fine for the baby. If it's not too hot for your skin, it's not going to do anything to the baby. If anything it'd be safer than a hot bath b/c the heat is localised.

Cottontail

Makes sense, thanks!

Moonbeam

Baths are all that got me through pregnancy!
I wish Holles st had birthing pools for pain relief.

You might find the hot water bottle makes it worse,you can't have it too hot but can have it warm my small girls would keep kicking it!

cbyrd

Although if you're having pains the one thing the hospital will recommend is a hot bath :rolleyes: if it's false labour the pains will stop..
I must have had about 40 scaldy baths in the last few weeks specially after a day's work :eek: although my bump hadn't a hope of getting near the water
I'd imagine the bottle would be too localized to be much help.. if the pain is spreading all across the front of your tummy i wonder would the bottle be big enough?? although if it's in your back it probably would help.. and all the new bottles come with covers to prevent a burn..;)

freudiangirl

we were told to use a hot water bottle on our back but not our bump at the antenatal classes

tfak85

freudiangirl wrote: »

we were told to use a hot water bottle on our back but not our bump at the antenatal classes

You can use the hot water bottle on your back, you will probably find it very helpful.

How Strange

Yes, putting one on your back would probably give more relief than on your bump. I did this most days during pregnancy because of back pain.

beanser

We were told yesterday at ante natal class in Holles Street that it was fine to use hot water bottles on tummy and back. The physiotherapist also had a 'hot pack' which was like a blue plastic bag thing that you put in the microwave, she said it would stay hot longer than a hot water bottle and also covered a larger area. She said the larger pharmacies should stock them, if not, a medical supply shop.