Hot water bottle during pregnancy: will it harm my child?

As the belly grows, so does the anticipation of the baby. But pregnancy is exhausting and puts a strain on the body. Unfortunately, pregnancy symptoms are not uncommon.

Whether back pain during pregnancy , abdominal pain,  abdominal pain or a bladder infection during pregnancy: We are happy if we can somehow get rid of the annoying suffering. Normally we would reach for a hot-water bottle to relax our muscles and enjoy the soothing warmth when we have symptoms like these – but should you even use a hot-water bottle during pregnancy?

Can a hot water bottle during pregnancy harm your child?

“A hot water bottle that’s too hot can be problematic,” explains Dr. Christian Albring, President of the Professional Association of Gynecologists (BVF), to Baby & Familie . An unborn child is not yet able to regulate its own body temperature. If the baby is exposed to excessive heat over a longer period of time, it could become too warm and there is a risk of overheating. The possible consequences: damage to early childhood development, brain damage to the fetus or, in the worst case, a miscarriage.

Towards the end of pregnancy, when the baby is practically lying directly under the abdominal wall, you should definitely avoid excessive heat exposure, as the heat will now radiate to the baby without much loss. The risk is lower at the beginning of pregnancy, but you should not overdo it here either. “In early pregnancy, the uterus with the embryo is still hidden behind the abdominal wall and possibly the bladder and is therefore well protected,” says Albring. The amniotic fluid also absorbs temperature fluctuations.

Hot-water bottle during pregnancy: this is something to consider

However, this does not mean that you have to keep your hands off the hot water bottle during pregnancy. You should just keep a close eye on the temperature. Therefore, do not fill the hot water bottle with boiling water. On the one hand that would be much too hot, on the other hand there is a risk that the rubber of the bottle could burst. The temperature of the hot water bottle should never exceed 40 degrees.

Also, do not place the hot water bottle directly on your skin. To be safe, wrap them in a thin cloth or lay them on a blanket before placing them on your stomach. If you want to be particularly careful, you can alternatively use a cherry stone or grain pillow. You can easily heat these pillows in the oven or in the microwave. Cherry pit and grain pillows have the advantage that they do not naturally absorb as much heat and therefore do not store as much heat as a hot water bottle. On the other hand, you should avoid heating pads. Their temperature is difficult to control.

If you have concerns about using a hot water bottle during pregnancy, it is best to talk to your gynecologist about your concerns. She will advise you and take away your uncertainty.