Can You Use a Heating Pad While Pregnant?

I struggled with severe back pain when I was pregnant with my fourth baby. So I started snuggling up to a heating pad anytime I needed a rest on the couch. But while my ob-gyn was supportive of my new cozy cuddle buddy, she pointed out that there were a few safety tips I needed to keep in mind.

Pregnancy comes with all sorts of aches and discomforts—from implantation cramps to round ligament pain and everything in between. And when a pang hits, you’ll try just about anything to feel better fast. As I learned, you’re usually just fine to use a heating pad while pregnant. Here’s how to make sure you’re doing it safely.

Key Takeaways.

• You can use a heating pad while pregnant. In most instances, you can use a heating pad for localized aches and pains during pregnancy.
• Keep safety in mind. A heating pad is unlikely to raise your core body temperature above the threshold (102 degrees Fahrenheit). That said, using it for short increments and on a low setting can further mitigate this risk.
• Avoid your belly. While it’s fine to use heating packs in pregnancy on your back, hips and joints, doctors avoid using one directly on your abdomen.
• Flag unusual or new aches. If pain is severe, sudden or making it difficult to go about your day, reach out to your doctor.

Can You Use a Heating Pad While Pregnant?

We’ve got good news: Yes, you can use a heating pad while pregnant. But it’s understandable if you still have concerns.

While research indicates that excessive heat exposure during pregnancy could raise the risk of birth defects, it’s not really an issue with a localized heating pad.

It becomes risky when a pregnant person’s core body temperature reaches 102 degrees Fahrenheit, says Julie Lamppa, APRN, CNM, a certified nurse-midwife at the Mayo Clinic. (This is why doctors advise against going in a hot tub during pregnancy.) But a heating pad is superficial, making it extremely unlikely to raise core temperature to an alarming level,” she adds.

Still, if you’re nervous, she advises avoiding it in the first few weeks of your pregnancy—when birth-defect risk from an elevated core body temperature is higher— and keeping the device’s temperature set below 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can you use a heating pad on your back while pregnant?

You’re just fine using a heating pad on your back while you’re pregnant. “Back pain in pregnancy is probably one of the most universal complaints, and heat can be extremely helpful,” Lamppa says. Keep in mind that, while it’s less common than random pregnancy pains, back pain could indicate a kidney infection or be a sign of preterm labor. If you think you may be having more than normal discomfort, call your doctor or seek immediate care.

Can you use a heating pad on your stomach while pregnant?

While heating pads are generally considered safe during pregnancy, some OBs advise against using one directly on your abdomen area. Some cramping is par for the course, avoiding direct heat on your stomach is best. If the pain disrupts your day-to-day routine, reach out to your doctor or midwife to make sure there’s no cause for concern.

What Are The Benefits of Using a Heating Pad While Pregnant?

A heating pad is a go-to home remedy to help with aches, cramps and pains. “Superficial heat with a heating pad or warmed rice pack is a tried-and-true therapy for all sorts of musculoskeletal discomforts,” midwife Lamppa says.

Warmth from a heating pad causes blood vessels to open, bringing additional blood, oxygen and nutrients to the affected areas, explains Lamppa.

It can also help improve your range of motion, giving you more flexibility in your joints. To this end, heating pads can be especially helpful for hard-to-stretch areas, like your back and hips, notes Dr. Kjersti Aagaard, MD, PhD, medical director of HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast and lead clinician at Texas Maternal Fetal Medicine.

How to Safely Use a Heating Pad During Pregnancy

There aren’t a lot of restrictions to using a heating pad during pregnancy, but there are a few things to note.

• First, it’s a good idea to use your heating pad on the lowest setting for short periods of time, says Dr. Christine Greves, MD, an ob-gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies in Orlando.
• You’ll also want to avoid putting the heating pad directly onto your belly, says Dr. G. Thomas Ruiz, MD, lead ob-gyn at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California.
• Avoid direct contact with your skin. Every heating pad is slightly different, but Dr. Ruiz suggests putting a layer between your body and the heating pad to create a small buffer to lower the risk of accidental burns.
• Listen to your body. Feeling overheated? Time to take a pause. “I use heating pads and heated seats in my car,” says The Bump forum member Whirlygirl00. “My doctor said it was just fine! If I’m getting too hot, I just turn them off.”

Alternatives to Using a Heating Pad While Pregnant

Using a heating pad while pregnant can certainly give you some relief from aches and pains. But if it’s not providing the comfort you need, there are other options to try, including:

• Gentle stretching or yoga
• A cool pack or ice
• Low-impact exercise, like walking and swimming
• Prenatal massage.
• Hydrotherapy (just not in a hot tub!)
• Chiropractic care

Lamppa says that physical therapy can also be helpful when other forms of self-care aren’t alleviating the pain, and it’s becoming more intense. You can also try taking acetaminophen—but talk to your doctor before turning to any medications.

To Sum It Up

You can use a heating pad while pregnant for localized pain. It can really help quell back, hip and joint discomfort! (Just don’t use it directly on your belly!) If you feel yourself getting overheated, take a break—you don’t want to risk raising your core body temperature, which is why you’ll want to use it on a low temperature for short durations.

How We Developed This Article

Aches and pains are unfortunately common in pregnancy, but some treatments are considered off-limits during this time. That’s where a heating pad comes in handy. To learn more about how to safely use a heating pad in pregnancy, we consulted with a midwife and three ob-gyns. We also scoured The Bump community forums to find real moms’ experiences with using heating pads in pregnancy.

After editing, this article was vetted through fact-check and reviewed by our ob-gyn medical adviser. Learn more about how we ensure the accuracy of our content through our editorial and medical review process.

About the author: Korin Miller is a mom of four who relied on a heating pad to help her cope with back pain during her fourth pregnancy. An experienced health and pregnancy writer and parent, Korin infuses every article she touches with empathy and words of wisdom. Her work has appeared in publications such as Women’s Health, Prevention, Cosmopolitan and The Washington Post.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.