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Pregnancy

What do we think about using phones in pregnancy?

10 replies

freakedmum · 01/05/2014 15:05

Using a phone to write this now.. But what do people think of this?
I've been using mine a lot during pregnancy, some calls and texts but mostly for browsing the internet, which I've been doing more of since being stuck at home goodness knows how long! Couldn't find anything conclusive about safety or otherwise of mobile/smartphone usage, so just wondered if anyone else knows anything x

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TobyLerone · 01/05/2014 15:07

Honestly?

It never crossed my mind.

You'd probably do well to relax a bit.

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TequilaMockingbirdy · 01/05/2014 15:08

The research that's been done so far suggests that there is no serious risk to your health or your baby's health from mobile phones in the short term.

While you're pregnant, though, you may want to err on the side of caution. That's because experts who've researched the effects of mobile phone use on unborn babies say more studies are needed.

Two related studies have found a possible connection between babies exposed to mobile phones in the uterus (womb) and behavioural problems, such as hyperactivity, during childhood.

But other, follow-up studies found no link whatsoever to behavioural problems. They also found no evidence of developmental delays in children at six and 18 months of age.

^I copied that from a website

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PenguinsLoveFishFingers · 01/05/2014 15:18

I wouldn't believe any websites unless they have links to proper studies in respectable journals...

Personally I wouldn't give it a second thought (although I don't keep a phone permanently against my person, like in a jacket pocket, that is almost certainly just random paranoia).

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Pigginnora · 01/05/2014 15:20

Honestly, never crossed my mind!

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Pregnantberry · 01/05/2014 15:23

I didn't realise this was A Thing and it doesn't sound very well backed up.

That said, since I don't have a home phone, maybe it could be a good excuse for me to get out of talking to certain relatives...

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squizita · 01/05/2014 15:42

I think anyone suggesting this will do more harm to the (growing) number of women extremely anxious - to the point of poor mental health - and obsessing during pregnancy.

As Penguins says, don't look at random websites. Only respected studies (and even then check for institutional bias - e.g. studies paid for by UNICEF type orgs always come out pro-breastfeeding, funded by food manufacturers always pro formula. Funny that.).
Also ... "Studies" ... studies by who? How many? Which country? What controls were used? What other factors? How were contaminates (e.g. phone addicted mums continued to be phone addicts and neglected their kids' social education) ruled out...? and so on.

I am in a high risk group in pregnancy and suffer from anxiety. I will be using my phone, because being anxious I'm thankfully a bit obsessive about my sources of medical advice. The only symptom that's a blessing in this internet world!

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freakedmum · 01/05/2014 16:34

Thanks for replies. I wasn't trying to suggest, however that phones ARE a concern, its just something i have been wondering about off and on as i use mine a lot x

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TestingTestingWonTooFree · 01/05/2014 20:28

I use mine as normal but won't let the foetus have a go.

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notaflamingclue · 02/05/2014 06:30

Great post squizita. I get quite cross at the amount of 'don'ts' we're meant to keep up with. Pregnancy can be worrying enough. Not having a dip OP, just a particular hobby horse of mine.