Hot water bottle dangerous in first trimester?

[Lemonmarigold]

I'm 5 weeks and usually use a hot water bottle at night. I've been making sure not to put it on my stomach but I'm feeling a little worried after reading that hot water bottles should be avoided in the first trimester to avoid over heating which can cause neural tube defects. Would I be better to stop using it until after 12 weeks to be on the safe side?

Personally I would stop using it. Chances are all would be absolutely fine, but if it wasn't you'd always wonder if it was the hot water bottle.

@Springadorable thanks, yes I think I’ll stop using it for now just for peace of mind.

I really feel the cold, and just can't manage without a hot water bottle. I used one all through first pregnancy - healthy baby. I remember reading somewhere that it's fine because there are so many layers of your body to go through before it reaches baby, but I also avoided putting it directly there - enjoyed it a bit higher up on the upper abdomen.

You could also just reduce the temperature of it a bit, so it's a similar temperature to cuddling someone/a pet.

Reduce its temp and don’t place directly on stomach , your body will regulate your temp just avoid super hot spots x

Do you really need one in this weather?

@MovingBird123 thank you so much, yes I really feel the cold too! It has a cover on it and I always keep it over the duvet and away from my stomach. I wasn’t worried at all until I read a few things online about avoiding heat in the first trimester. Planning to mention it to my doctor/midwife whenever I see them next.

@KoalaPineapple thank you, that’s good advice. If I decide to continue using it I’ll definitely make sure the temperature isn’t as hot for peace of mind.

I was told by my ivf clinic not to use one cos of the risk of burns (and they had a very small list of things to avoid)

@TheIceBear thank you! Was it in case you got burnt yourself or because of a risk to the baby?

@Lemonmarigold in case of me burning myself which could harm the baby (I think). Could you use a microwave hottie instead ? They are safer.