Instant hot pack for back

[essnce629]

I already have a homemade flaxseed pack that I can heat up in the microwave and use when I'm in client's homes (since I need access to a microwave), but I'm looking for something to use in the hospital. Most times they don't allow you to use things that go in the microwave and will not microwave something for you for liabililty reasons. A few times I could have REALLY used a good hot compress for back labor and didn't have anything that worked well enough. Once the nurse kept giving my warmed bags of saline which was nice but they were only a little bit warm. Do you think something like these instant hot packs would be good? You can buy them in a case of 24 and they're supposed to stay hot for at least 30 minutes. They're also a good size.

http://www.overstock.com/Bulk-Medica...t%20hot%20pack

Or have any other ideas?

Also, what about cold packs? I'm thinking I should get something I can just fill with ice from the hospital or maybe a gel pad I can keep in a bucket of ice. I'm thinking that hollow Tupperware rolling pin would also be good to have to fill with ice.

[Acacia]

I buy hot hands brand. They are usualy in the hunting section. They come in a few different sizes and my clients so far have loved them. They also stay hot for quite a long time. I actually used one myself not long ago and it stayed hot for throughout the night..I even had to wrap something around it because it actually got to hot!

[lilsishomemade]

my midwife told me to get those heat packs that stick to your back for my last delivery. I didn't use them because nothing but pressure helped, but it was a neat idea.

[essnce629]

Oooo, the Hot Hands ones look really cool-- and it says they stay hot for up to 15 HOURS!!! Do you throw them away after that? What size do you have? I see that they have a big one that is 9 x 13.

[AbbieB]

Years ago I bought a rechargeable hot pack from a drug store (Walgreen's type store).

It was a good size for use on my back. It was filled with this gel stuff and a tiny metal button. You just clicked the button to start the chemical reaction and you had heat that lasted for many hours. The gel would slowly solidify during that time. To recharge the back you just microwaved it for 3 minutes or you boiled it.

In a hospital setting with a no microwave policy maybe a crock pot would do? Or a electric kettle?

I liked the idea of being able to reuse it rather than using a disposable each time.

[Acacia]

I usually get the ones that are about the size of my hand. The 9x13 would probably be to big and expensive. They are throw away so once they stop heating you just pitch it. I have just loved not having to leave a momma in labor to go and heat things up. You just take it out of the package and shake it. Within about 5 minutes it is quite hot. You will want to have something to wrap around it just in case it's to warm for the momma. I can't say enough good things about them. A midwife I work with occassionally loved them so much that she now gives one to all her clients in a prenatal bag!

[Acacia]

Oh and it does last about 15 hours so you typically just need one per mom and you never have to leave her to re heat anything!

[essnce629]

So cool. I emailed to company to find a location nearest me that sells them. Maybe a sporting goods store. I have a mom due two days ago so I'd love to get my hands on one before her birth.

[Acacia]

Originally Posted by essnce629

So cool. I emailed to company to find a location nearest me that sells them. Maybe a sporting goods store. I have a mom due two days ago so I'd love to get my hands on one before her birth.

I know this is evil and all but wal-mart sells them in the sporting goods section