The use of heat for comfort in labor is not new, though most hospitals do not have ready access to sources. The most common type of using heat is thorugh a heating pad, rice sock or water bottle. Except for an electric heating pad, A microwaveable heating pad loses heat as time goes on, and that is why herbal heating pads are safe to sleep with because they need to be reheated.
Heat is Great for Helping You Relax
Heat is a great way to help ease pain and make you feel more relaxed. Many people turn towards heating pads, blankets or other sources of warmth for this purpose. It is always important to find what works best for you and your body during labor. Some people prefer using heat while others do not, but you might already have a good idea from your everyday life. If you are a big fan of a heating pad or other source of warmth, it's up to you how you would like your pain relief to be done in labor!
Using a Heating Pad During Labor
The use of heat during labor can be an effective way to reduce pain and increase comfort. Warm blankets or herbal heating pads are safe for all stages, except on areas that have been numbed through the epidural nerve block (if you have one), as well as if your temperature is too high due to having a fever.
Common places to put heat sources are as follows:
Back:
Your back labor is no fun, and the pain can be unbearable. But, using a heat source such as a herbal heating pad or hot water bottle will help to ease your discomfort in just minutes! It's also possible for you relief from both cold treatments, so don't miss out on these benefits!
Neck:
Using a warm compress on the neck can help relieve tension and stress during labor, which is especially important because it's one of those things you don't want to risk forgetting
Pubic bone:
You might notice a lot of tightness or pressure at your pubic bone. It is particularly true if you've experienced symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) in pregnancy, and it can make moving around difficult for some time after delivery! But heat provides relief, so consider using hot packs to help with relaxation and mobility during this healing process.
Keeping Warm During Labor
Women may experience chills in labor, which can be a little chilly. Along with taking some warming measures, such as using a herbal heating pad on your abdomen or wearing socks filled with rice that you let gradually get dampened over time. Hence, they're even more effective at absorbing warmth from body contact., heat-seeking blankets are available for full-body use by hospitals!
Always be careful when you're using heat sources. You might need to wrap it in a towel or two so that your skin doesn't get burned and make sure there are no open flames nearby, otherwise known as scorching the goods! If all else fails, try heating pads and blankets instead of direct contact with rice socks (which would lead us back into dangerous territory).
When Not to Use Heat
In the opinion of experts, there's no need to worry about using heat in labor. Good news! There have not been many studies on this topic specifically so far. A small study shows that heat in labor doesn't negatively affect fetal monitoring or your pregnancy progress.
Some people are so good at advising that they forget the most important thing- YOU. It is a known fact not to use heat or cold on the skin without feeling, such as when an epidural has been given and numbed areas of your body for fear it might hurt you more than necessary; however, this can cause burns if done accidentally by someone else who doesn't know better! Be safe.
It is important to be very careful using any heat source if you have an epidural. It includes the risk of numbed skin, which can also cause over-heating. This change in our bodies' dissipative abilities will lead us into becoming warmer than normal for some period after delivery when we are most likely trying so hard. Not only physically but emotionally too! The same warning goes with fever during labor - being around high temperatures may result in serious problems whether they offer relief such as muscle relaxants etc.