Hot water bottle in early pregnancy - middle of the night panic!

[Boos75]

Hi,
I am so scared and cannot sleep as just woke up to pee and it suddenly occured to me that I have been using a hot water bottle (quite a hot one as only had thin pillow case on it) for the past couple of says (to soothe a couple of mild cramps but mainly to keep warm) and I realised it couple be harmful in early pregnancy (am 6 weeks). Just been hysterically crying and woke DH to tell him and he said it was a stupid thing to do given I knew your core body temp shouldn't be raised - this is very unlike him, so has made me even more upset. I can't believe how stupid I have been. Do you think I could have harmed the baby? Anyone else used a hot water bottle in pregnancy and not had any problems.

I have always taken very hot baths when pregnant, sometimes adding no cold to the water coming out of the hot tap and though I admit I've had two MMC (nothing to do with this I am sure so worry not) I have also had 4 entirely healthy babies.

You wouldn't have had the bottle at a temp so hot you couldn't stand and ime hot water bottles aren't generally that effective in warming you up massively so it is unlikely you have raised your core temp much at all and the bottle itself wouldn't have warmed up your uterus through all that skin and muscle and what not.

Don't worry and try to remember that whether you fall sown stairs, crash the car or lie in a bed of cotton wool for months what will be will be and statistically once you get past the 12 weeks you are likely to have a healthy baby at the end of it, despite which guidelines you follow and which you disregard.

Hope your cramps are now disappeared.

Thanks hobbgoblin for your message. Reallyb reassuring to know that you've have four healthy babies despite taking hot baths. I was being really irrational as it was a sudden, middle of the night realisation and I new I'd be awake the whole night worrying - which I was. I'm an anxious person anyway so as this is my first pregnancy it's driving me crazy! I think I'll call the Dr anyway to doublecheck as I don't yet have a midwife I can call.

A quick google search shows lots of ladies have had midwives recommend they use hot water bottles for aching ligaments, cramps and so on.

I'm a childbirth educator and honestly can't see how it could cause any major harm to your baby who is very well protected.

Please please don't stress out over this, but if you're anxious, perhaps use the hot water bottle on your back or feet from now on?

I will do CarmenSanDiego. Thanks. I was so cold so I don't think my core body temp could have risen from using it too much but I guess my worry was concentrated heat in one area. You're right though. Have Googled it lots and there doesn't seem to be any official data on it causing any issues and most threads from forums that came up have people saying they used a hot water bottle during pregnancy and had no problems.

Ok, now I just need to breathe and pull myself together

Just thought I'd log back on in case anyone else picks up this thread as they have the same (albeit it irritational) concern. I've spoken to my Dr and she said there is nothing to be worried about and that the baby is very well protected. She even said that she thinks hot baths are fine - but I think I'll steer clear of those.. Thanks again ladies for your posts. x

Oh I wondered the same thing with hotwater bottles.. good news!

Ooo, glad to see someone else out there had the same loopy worry

Honestly, I was so worried about it last night I was completely irrational (hence my 1.30am post). Also spoke to friends today who have kids (and who know am pg) and they said not to worry and they always had hot baths/water bottles etc...To be honest I should worry more about hypothermia as my house is so cold!

I have always had hot baths and used hot water bottles, I was told that if it is comfortable to sit in especially as a bath cools quickly its ok.

Im nearly 32 weeks pregnant, earlier on in my pregnancy I think about 20 weeks ish I went to my doctor with pains in my back and hip, she advised me to apply heat. She said heat was the best thing for aches/pains etc. Im not sure about early pregnancy but Ive used my hot water bottle most days since then for back ache and babys doing fine.

I think the irrational worrying must be a pregnant/hormone thing, Im normally pretty chilled out but have had many similar sleepless nights getting myself worked up!

I have been having hot baths and two hot water bottles at night recently! I try not to have the hot water bottle actually on my tummy, more on my boobs, back or feet, but I really wouldn't worry.

I have permanent scarring from using a hot water bottle so I will never use them again regardless of pregnancy.

Thank goodness it is ok to use one! Dh makes me a hotwater bottle everynight to keep warm bless him. Im 14 weeks, all ok so far, i hope!

I've just had the same concern about hot water bottles - worrying i had cooked my little one! - so its great to find a recent posting on this topic.

I spoke to my midwife about really bad ligament pains in my pelvis and she advised me to 'apply heat'. I'm keeping my bottle not too hot, just to be sure.

It makes the baby jump and kick loads so it either loves it - or hates it!

omg i am so glad to see this post... i googled do's and don'ts to see if i could have my hair done as its my birthday soon n need anything to make me feel less disgusting haha but then on the don'ts list saw hot baths id never heard of this before and totally panicked iv been having lots of hot baths and have actually felt the urge to put hot things on my tummy like clothes iv ironed is this normal? im worried now although this post made me feel better i have been feeling quite faint and dizzy lately could this be why?

I suffered quite painful ligament stretching a while ago, advice from midwife was hot baths and hot water bottle. I really wouldn't worry x

The advice about hot baths is because it can lower your BP and make you prone to fainting - not because of harm to baby. Don't worry! Putting warm things on your belly will be fine

Thank goodness for this thread, I'm in the very early stages of pregnancy but have very uncomfortable cramping, I was so relieved when I saw these posts I'm getting my hot water bottle out now!