Today's stupid pregnancy question.....

[Ilovemybed]

It's dumb - I am embarrassed!

Am about 9weeks and having a hot water bottle on my tummy really helps me feel comfy.

Am I boiling the baby? It's a very hot, hot water bottle.

[June2009]

mmm, they say not to have bath because it can raise your temperature too much.
I probably wouldn't do it personally.

[Francasaysrelax]

I don't really know. I'm not sure it is a really great idea, but hopefully someone more knowledgeable than me will answer your post.

How about wrapping a big scarf around your tummy?

[Ilovemybed]

hummmm I am thinking the same, that it's not a great idea but not sure why. Also it does feel better - maybe lulumama will be along soon!

[ReneRusso]

I wouldn't do it.

[AngelDog]

I asked my midwife this as I love hot water bottles on my stomach to soothe aches & pains. She said it was probably best avoided in earlyish pregnancy (I think I asked her when I was 16 weeks so she meant definitely during the first trimester plus), and that in later pregnancy you should make sure it was only a warm, not a very hot hot water bottle. I think the danger is that baby - can get too hot, especially since it is on your stomach. She did say that a hot water bottle on your back (which I find is the next-best alternative) was fine, as is having a not-too-hot one in bed as long as it's not against your stomach.

As with lots of this advice, I'm sure it's a sensible precaution rather than a dire warning of something which might have immediate & terrible effects if you've done it a few times.

Hope that helps.

[AngelDog]

PS Following on from June's post, I had read (and was told by midwives) that baths were fine as long as they weren't too hot - ie not more than body temperature (37-38 degrees C). I love my hot baths too so I just got a waterproof thermometer so I could make sure the temperature was okay - 37 degrees is hotter than I had expected!