Electric Heating Pads: Are They Safe for Pregnant Women?

Pregnancy often comes with issues like nausea, weight gain, as well as lower back pain in many omen. According to a global estimation published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, nearly 70% of women suffer from back pain during their gestation period. To relieve this pain, electric heating pads can be employed which effectively relax the tensed muscles and soothe the back area. But to-be mothers are often worried about the effects of these electric heating pads on their babies.

In this article, let us address these queries regarding the use of electric heating pads during pregnancy and if they are safe for women during their gestation period.

Electric Heating Pads during Pregnancy: Why Are They Needed?

As women jump from their first trimester to the second and then the third trimester, the pressure on their back muscles increases. This often leads to the start of back pain which often protrudes towards hips as well as joints. The reason behind the occurrence of this pain can be any of the following:

• Altered hormonal levels as the hormones released in the body during pregnancy soften ligaments and tendons to make way for the baby to get delivered.
• Altered posture is also another reason for back pain as the center of gravity for your body shifts during pregnancy.
• Increased weight which is both due to the baby as well as weight gain.

This back pain makes it difficult for most women to walk for longer, to carry stuff, and to sit upright. As most American women like to proceed with their jobs even during pregnancy, this lower back pain hinders their productivity.

Is It Safe to Use Electric Heating Pads During Pregnancy?

Using microwavable or electric heating pads on painful muscles or joints during pregnancy provides quick relief without increasing your core body temperature, a situation inevitable with the use of a hot tub or sauna. However, their use has also been associated with some issues in some women which have been detailed below.

As a final verdict, it can be said that the use of electric heating pads is safe for pregnant women if done in the correct way. In addition, it is always ideal to consult your doctor before using electric heating pads or taking any other remedy for back pain while pregnant.

How Do Electric Heating Pads Work?

A good option is to use electric heating pads which often come with in-built massagers. Employing electric heating pads is an easy and noninvasive method for the management of lower back pain. These increase the blood flow in the affected area and help relieve pain in tendons as well as joints. In addition, muscle soreness is also effectively reduced.

Benefits of Using Electric Heating Pads

Using electric heating pads as an alternative to over-the-counter (OTC) pain-relieving medications brings many benefits some of which include the following:

• These improve blood circulation in the targeted area.
• The electric heating pads help reduce pain and muscle stiffness.
• The mobility as well as posture are improved.

Safety Guidelines for Using Electric Heating Pads during Pregnancy

While using electric heating pads during pregnancy, make sure you keep in mind the following safety tips:

· Avoid Direct Use

It is not advised to use the electric heating pads directly on bare skin. The best way is to wrap the device in a thin towel or cloth and then place it on the lower back.

· Low Temperature Option

Use the electric heating pads at their lowest possible temperature. If even this feels high, it is best to use the product with an additional layer of cloth.

· Limit the Exposure Duration

As electric heating pads work for 2 hours before automatically shutting off, it is best to manually remove the device from your skin after 10 to 20 minutes of use.

· Avoid Abdominal Use

Electric heating pads should not be used on the abdominal area during pregnancy. This increases the risk of abdominal pain and can also lead to bloating, painful ligaments, as well as constipation. Moreover, in some cases, these symptoms can become worse and can impact the baby’s health.

Caution

• If you feel a change in baby’s movement while employing heating pads, discontinue use.
• Either limit or completely avoid using electric heating pads during the first trimester as it may cause harm to the baby by increasing body temperature.
• If you are bleeding or experiencing a leakage of the amniotic fluid, do not use microwavable or electric heating pads without consulting a healthcare provider.

Issues Associated with the Use of Heating Pads during Pregnancy

Despite being safe, the use of heating pads can cause issues for some pregnant women. Therefore, if you experience any of the following issues while using electric heating pads, it is best to discontinue use and immediately see a healthcare professional:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Spotting
• Bleeding
• Chills
• Vaginal discharge
• Lightheadedness
• Pain while urinating

Back Pain during Pregnancy: What are the Options?

Apart from using microwavable or electric heating pads, pregnant women can employ the following options for the management of lower back pain:

• Take bed rest. Stretching your back also helps with minimizing the pain.
• Do yoga or simple stretches after consulting your healthcare provider. These will not only reduce back pain but also increase your muscle flexibility which will lead to a relatively easy delivery.
• Having a warm bath is also a good idea. Make sure water is not too hot and the duration of hot bath does not exceed 20 minutes. Avoid taking hot baths or using hot tubs during first trimester as some studies have linked it to the neural tube defects in babies however the evidence is limited.
• You can also have a good massage which can release some muscle tension and make you feel light and relaxed.
• You can also take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for back pain. However, it is best to try this option last and should not be done without consulting your doctor.

Heating Pads at Health Supply 770: Products and Specifications

Heating pads are the items which are employed for relieving pain and stiffness in the muscles as well as in the joints. These products are available in many different forms depending upon their working principle i.e. electric heating pads, microwavable heating pads, chemical-based products, etc. However, due to their ease of usage, electric heating pads are often preferred over other products.

These heating pads come in handy for multiple purposes including the management of menstrual cramps , knee and joint pain, neck stiffness, as well as lower back pain relief in pregnant women. Considering their vast usage, the following section highlights different types of heating pads along with their prices as well as purchase links:

Drive Medical RTL19G007GR Digital Heating Pad

US$36.49

Product Details

Drive Medical RTL19G007GR digital products are grey-colored plug-in type electric heating pads that are easy to use and comfortable for the patient. These can work on painful muscles, stiff neck, and arthritic joints. Being lightweight, the product only weighs 1.5 pounds and has a length of 24 inches with a width of 0.25 inches. The material used for the construction of these Drive Medical heating pads is polyester which is strong and durable and thus provides long-term warranty.

These heating pads can be operated on both dry as well as moist heating modes. Both these modes can be interchanged quickly within seconds. For moist heat mode, an absorbent sponge is needed to be inserted into these heating pads. This way, the extent of heat penetration in the body can be increased. As for the temperature options, these Drive Medical heating pads can be operated at multiple heat settings which range from 113℉, 122℉, 131℉, 140℉, 149℉, and 158℉. This variation is also followed by six countdown timer settings which include 0:15, 0:30, 0:45, 1:00, 1:30, and 2:00.

All the features of these heating pads are digitalized and can be easily used with the help of their digital display. This way, the readability of the features become high and the elderly or people with poor vision can also use the product without the assistance of a caregiver. The automatic shut off feature ensures that the heating pads does not get overheated and cause skin burn or start a fire.

Therefore, this safety feature reduces the risk of damage to the baby when the product is used by pregnant women for back pain relief. In addition, the product is low maintenance and can be washed in a washing machine with light soap followed by air drying.

1034 Home Aide Comfort Heal Electric Heating Pad 12″x24″

US$23.88

Product Details

1034 Home Aide Comfort Heal heating pads 12″x24″ are comfortable to use heating pads which are also plug-in type. These are larger in size and cover maximum body area. Their use for the management of joint pain due to arthritis is well-known. However, these can also be employed for relieving back pain as well as muscle stiffness.

With their soft and comfortable construction material, these remain lightweight and non-bulky in appearance and feel smooth on the skin. In addition, there is no risk of skin irritation as these Home Aide Comfort heating pads are non-irritant. Their heat retention property keeps the pad warm for longer and elevates the muscle and joint therapy duration.

When it comes to temperature, the product can be operated at low, moderate, as well as high temperature. To reduce the risk of any accident, the device shuts off after 2 hours of use owing to its auto shut off feature. These Home Aide Comfort Heal heating pads offer both dry as well as moist heat options as the moist heat is particularly effective against muscle spasms, tension, as well as joint pain.

Women also use these electric heating pads during menstruation for alleviating menstrual cramps. In addition, these are also used during pregnancy for the management of back pain. The products work by increasing the blood flow to the targeted area which improves the supply of oxygen as well as nutrients for the promotion of healing. Therefore, it is considered one of the best heating pad brands available in the US market.

*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.

The different types of electric heating pads, in addition to other medical supplies, can be ordered from the Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link given in the article to check out different types of heating pads.

Bottom Line

In pregnant women, lower back pain is a common occurrence. It is often associated with stiff back, protruding pain towards the hips and joints. As a remedy, the use of heating pads is often recommended as both heat and cold therapies can reduce the pain and stiffness.

However, electric heating pads are not for everyone. Despite being effective and easy to use, these can also become harmful in some cases. Therefore, there is a need to practice caution while choosing them as a non-pharmacological therapeutic option during pregnancy.

Overall, the use of heating pads is not itself harmful if done correctly but it is always better to consult your healthcare provider before attempting. For purchasing the different types of microwavable or electric heating pads, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.

References

1. https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-023-06151-x
2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/bdra.20831?casa_token=FWYmFW_Z6uIAAAAA%3AxdCG48F4aq1IGlmB0gqR8VJF5D5QtEIwoZ8Zf_nF76dd4FJxaJWU78c-7ViZkB63X8TF2kxLrlfsI0Pm