Just another one of the very frustrating things about fertility treatments and the advice and cautions of physicians, is the differing opinions of doctors about what is and is not safe during treatments. When it was recommended to me to use a heating pad to help with the pain of the progesterone in oil injections I was confused. Along with the warning that super hot baths, hot tubs, saunas, and anything else similar that could raise body temperature should be avoided also came caution against heating pads. In response to a follow-up inquiry my nurse said that she thought it was perfectly fine to use the heating pad on my bottom where the shots were given but to not put it on my abdomen.
Luckily, I learned techniques to manage the pain without having to use a heating pad, but if it had been helpful I would have been torn about whether or not to use it. Some of the risks involved with elevated body temperatures when pregnant or even when hoping to be during the two-week-wait, include an indication that overheating can increase miscarriage risks and the chances of neural tube defects in the developing baby, or can affect implantation due to increased cramping and uterine activity from the heat. Those warnings more apply, though, to hot tubs and saunas where the heat is not being applied to one specific area. Generally, heat applied to a muscle or specific area is not considered dangerous at all since overheating is extremely unlikely when using localized heat.
I guess, for me, the answer is to err on the side of caution but to still use a heating pad if it is the most effective pain reliever or only solution to soreness. I think in this case the risk is so minimal that it is not worth it to be cautious if the treatment of the ailment with a heating pad is effective. I, personally though, would not use it on my abdomen when trying to conceive or when pregnant. I don’t think I would even “risk” using something on my back or a close area that was continous heat. I wouldn’t think twice about using it on my calf or shoulder or other similar area for muscle pains completely unrelated to pregnancy or trying to conceive. To me one key is to try to find a heat source where the heat goes away (for instance those microwaveable pads) and will not stay heated without electricity. When non-electric heating pads or devices are used then I think the risk of overheating is extremely low. For PIO injections, muscle aches and pains, or injuries I think there are great options that do not require a heating pad – ice, creams, stretching – that are definitely worth a try first.
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