Is It Safe To Sleep In An Electric Blanket During Pregnancy?
Electric blankets become a necessary luxury during the chilling winter months when the pregnant mother feels that she just can’t get warm enough. But the usual concern that comes with it is whether the blanket is safe for use during pregnancy. If truth be told, there have been no conclusive answers to that question. Electric blankets have neither been found completely safe nor totally harmful for the pregnant woman.
Why Electric Blankets May Be Harmful:
The pregnant woman’s core body temperature is vital for the development of the fetus. Electric blankets help in warming her up, but too much warmth may lead to a rise of body temperature. If by any chance the core body temperature goes above 103degrees F, it could lead to physical abnormalities in the developing fetus.
Electric blankets expose the mother to an electromagnetic field. Studies have shown that continuous exposure to electromagnetic fields may lead to miscarriages and also substantial birth defects in the baby.
Why Electric Blankets May NOT Be That Harmful:
Usually electric blankets aim at warming the body to a comfortable level. The mother’s core body temperature rarely goes beyond limits. Whereas exposures to hot tubs or saunas have shown evidences of defects in the fetus, electric blankets did not.The electromagnetic field created by an electric blanket is much lower than the levels at which risks of miscarriages and birth defects are high.
Hence, being adversely affected by the EMF level of the electric blanket is a rare possibility.
Guidelines Of Using The Electric Blanket:
If one really has to use an electric blanket, the best way to do it is after consulting a doctor. Every individual is different and the doctor will have a clear idea as to how much the body can take. Since there are a number of differed opinions regarding the use of electric blanket, it is always better to consult the doctor as they will know the patient history and will be able to give a more personalized guidance.
Another way of using electric blankets is switching it on around half an hour before going to bed in order to warm the bed. Once the bed is warm enough,switch it off and then get into the bed. In this way the mother gets the warmth without the risk of getting overheated or being exposed to electromagnetic fields.
The above method can be effectively used if the mother dresses in layers in that way the need to continuously warm themselves could be minimized.It is advisable to discontinue the use of electric blankets in the late pregnancy days .
