Using Electronics And Laptop During Pregnancy: 4 Ways To Be Tech-Savvy While Keeping Your Baby Safe

You must be oblivious to the harmful effects of excess mobile phone usage during pregnancy and how it affects your unborn child. Various studies have shown that excessive use of mobile phones during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm labour and may hinder your child’s brain development.

This might make you wonder about the safety considerations of other electronic devices, such as using laptop during pregnancy. While technology exposes you to helpful information and knowledge, you must understand that certain electronic devices emit radiation, and should be used in moderation during pregnancy.

To help you understand this subject better, we have put together a detailed guide on whether computer and laptop usage is considered safe during pregnancy, and helpful tips to be tech-savvy while keeping your growing little one safe and healthy.

Is Laptop Usage Considered Safe During Pregnancy?

While it’s safe to use your laptop during pregnancy, where you position it matters. If you use a laptop regularly, it’s best to position it on your thighs or a desk, instead of your belly, as laptops emit a fair amount of heat. 

This is a concern because placing a laptop on your belly for long hours might lead to overheating, which in turn may raise your core body temperature, leading to an increased risk of neural tube defects in your baby or even miscarriage in the first trimester.

But don’t panic if you unintentionally put your laptop on your belly once in a while. The heat from the laptop is unlikely to increase your core body temperature. It’s just a precautionary measure that doctors and researchers suggest you follow to ensure your little one’s safe growth and development.

Is It Safe to Use Computer During Pregnancy?

Using a computer during pregnancy is generally considered safe. Studies haven’t found any evidence indicating that exposure to computers can have adverse effects on the expecting mum’s health. Computers produce non-ionising radiation, which is different from the ionising radiation produced by X-ray scans. The amount of non-ionising radiation that computers release is considered too low to harm your developing baby.

While using computer itself during pregnancy isn’t considered harmful, sitting in front of it for hours could be. A bad posture while sitting can cause back, neck, and shoulder pain, and being sedentary for long periods of time can hamper your blood circulation, which is already slow during pregnancy. 

To keep your blood flow enhanced, it’s a good idea to get up every hour or so and walk around a little bit. When you do sit, support your back with a soft pillow or cushion to maintain a good posture and prevent any aches or pains.

Additional Tips to Keep Your Baby Safe From the Effects of Technology

• Keep your phone in your bag: Instead of carrying your phone in your pocket, dropping it in your bag could be a much safer option. The idea is to keep your phone away from your abdomen to prevent any potential risks to the baby.
• Turn off your electronics at night: Your body does most of its DNA repair while you sleep, and hence shutting off your electronics during this time can prevent potential exposure. Plus, this tip will help reduce blue light exposure and promote sound sleep in you.
• Use a desk for your laptop: Not only does this help reduce the chance of heat exposure to your abdomen, but it also helps you maintain a good back posture.
• Opt for a pat down at the airport security: If you are nervous about going through the full-body scanners at the airport security check, then you can request a manual examination. 

Conclusion

Technology has become an integral and indispensable part of everyone’s lives. They help us find all sorts of information in seconds and also connect us with our loved ones all around the world. But some electronic devices, such as mobile phones must be used in consideration during pregnancy, as their radiation can affect your baby’s health adversely. Using computer and laptop during pregnancy is considered mostly safe, but avoid placing the laptop on your belly, and only work from your desk to prevent accidental exposure or overheating.

Also read:

Botox during pregnancy: Is it safe to get Botox when you are expecting? We share all the details in this post. 

Spa safety tips to follow during pregnancy: Heading for a pampering session soon? Don’t forget to keep these spa safety tips in mind. 

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