This may be a stupid question...

Ecstatic83 · January 2013

So I know you aren't supposed to do things that increase your body temp like a hot tub, etc... I don't recall if this is just the rule for later or the entire pregnancy... In any case, can you use heating pads and seat warmers? My seats get really warm in my car but honestly I am such a wimp in the cold that I doubt I could make it to work most mornings without it... Thoughts?

njjewel · January 2013

I have no idea.. but now I'm thinking... it the past week, I've been in a hot tub, used an electric blanket, and defiantly had my seat warmers on!!

redwagonvent · January 2013

I read somewhere that heating pads are OK to use during early pregnancy cramps and warm baths that are under 102 degrees. I am a bath hog and have hypo issues so I run cold. One thing that helps if you struggle with circulation and find yourself to be more on the cold side (toes, fingers, etc.) is acupuncture. My acupuncture doc was able to help my circulation in just a few visits so I am not as "cold" as normal.

RedLucia · January 2013

Throughout pregnancy until you are trying to deliver, you are supposed to avoid situations that will raise your core body temperature too high. Typically, this means avoiding hottubs or setting them to a lower setting and limiting time to 10 minutes. Baths are supposed to be OK because a large portion of your body is out of the water and the water decreases in temperature over time.

My PCP said to not apply heating pads directly to the belly area. Car seat heater and heating pads on other parts of the body should not raise your core body temperature or affect the internal temperature of the uterus.

maiganlynn · January 2013

I've read a few pregnancy books that recommend you not raise your core body temperature to over 102 degrees. I wouldn't place a heating pad on high right on to to your abdomen or anything but I think heated seats, as long as they're reasonable, might be ok.

LBib · January 2013

Hot tubs can be dangerous (https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pregnancy-and-hot-tubs/an02109)

Pregnancy and hot tubs can be a dangerous combination.

Spending 10 minutes or more in a hot tub can raise your body temperature to 102 F (38.9 C), causing a condition known as hyperthermia. Some studies have shown an increased risk of miscarriage and neural tube defects ? serious abnormalities of the brain or spinal cord ? in the babies of women who experience high temperatures during the first four to six weeks of pregnancy.

If you might be pregnant and plan to use a hot tub, or you choose to use a hot tub during pregnancy, take these steps to reduce the risks:

Limit time in the hot tub to less than 10 minutes.
Avoid sitting near the inlet that provides newly heated water.
Avoid spending time in the hot tub once a week or more.
Get out of the hot tub if you start to sweat or feel any discomfort.
Stay out of the hot tub if you aren't in good health or you already have an elevated temperature due to fever, exercise, or previous hot tub or sauna use.

If you used a hot tub for a lengthy period of time early in pregnancy, consider talking to your doctor about ways to detect neural tube defects during pregnancy.

I'm not worried about my heated seats. For a humourous take on the subject, Pregnant Chicken has a saft/not safe list:

I remember the first time I was in a car with heated seats I thought I'd wet my pants but, after the initial shock, I thought they were the greatest inventions since the DQ Blizzard.

Heated car seats aren't dangerous when you're pregnant because they give off about as much heat as a heating pad. It's not until you get into sauna, hot tub or tanning bed heat that some people even start to worry.

So crank that seat, lady and keep checking to make sure you didn't pee.

https://www.pregnantchicken.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/?page=4&month=December-2010