If you live in a chilly region and become pregnant during the winter, it’s likely that you are concerned about whether you can continue to use your beloved electric blanket.
Yes, it is safe to utilize an electric blanket during pregnancy as long as you take a few precautions, the most crucial of which is to prevent overheating.
While using heated blankets during pregnancy poses little risk to the mother, raising your core body temperature to over 101 degrees Fahrenheit can be harmful to your unborn child. Heated blankets contain electrical heating wires and can become quite hot. It’s crucial to avoid utilizing a heated blanket for too long or in a setting that is too high. For precisely this reason, pregnant women should avoid using hot tubs and saunas.
What are the substitutes for electric blanket during pregnancy ?
To prevent any negative effects on the mother and the unborn child, here are some better and safer options.
- Choose traditional, non-electric blankets made of wool, cashmere, and cotton fleece instead of modern ones. Additionally, utilizing two or more blankets may help you avoid the cold.
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- A hot water bottle is another safer alternative to electric blankets, this is usually used to heat the bed, use as a warm compress, or a hot water bottle that is kept closed. It may keep you warm despite being dated. However, avoid using hot water since it can result in burns.
- Putting on a thick pair of pajamas, socks, a toasty nightcap, or thermal underwear can keep you warm and comfortable.
Use of electric blanket during pregnancy : Cautions and Recommendations.
If you used an electric blanket before getting pregnant and intend to continue doing so, speak with your doctor. Also, follow these safety recommendations:
- Before using the electric blankets, read the safety instructions and warnings first.
- When you’re first pregnant and at high risk of miscarriage, stay away from using an electric blanket.
- In the latter weeks of pregnancy (or the third trimester), avoid using the electric blanket since the waters may suddenly break. An electric shock could be more likely as a result.
- Purchase a temperature-regulating electric blanket with low EMF emissions.
- No matter what stage of pregnancy you’re in, keep the thermostat on low to reduce the chance of getting too hot.
- Don’t sleep under the blanket; instead, use it to warm the bed. After using it for a while, switch it off if you want to use it while you sleep. Overheating could become more likely with continued use.
- Avoid placing a duvet or additional blanket on top of the electric blanket as this could cause it to overheat and result in other issues.
- Avoid laying or sitting on it as well. If it’s extremely chilly, you can use a thick duvet as your foundation bedding and sleep sandwiched between it and an electric blanket.
- Always use your electric blanket flat and avoid wrapping it to prevent harm to the inside coils.
Read also : Can you lift weights while pregnant?
Risks Associated With Using An Electric Blanket During Pregnancy
The following are risks that may be associated with the use of electric blankets during pregnancy:
Embryonic neural tube abnormalities:
According to certain research, using an electric blanket for an extended period somewhat raises the chance of embryonic neural tube abnormalities .
However, more study is required.
Chances of breast cancer:
Another study found a link between low-frequency EMFs and some childhood brain cancers .
However, occupational EMF exposure frequently results in it, therefore an electric blanket may not necessarily have the same consequences.
congenital urinary system abnormalities:
The fetus may be exposed to the low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produced by electric blankets.
These EMFs raise the incidence of congenital urinary system abnormalities, according to a study (CUTAs). This situation was found in particular in females who had a history of subfertility (delay in conception)
Increase risk of miscarriage :
According to a Yale University study, using an electric blanket both during pregnancy and during conception increases the risk of miscarriage.
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