Panicking! Electric blanket in pregnancy

[mgwyegve]

Hi,

I am 4+5 currently after TTC for 10 months.
I am really panicking today. We were bought an electric blanket which we put on our bed last night for the first time. Had it on for about 20-30 minutes maybe before turning it off when got into bed. Left it plugged in over night but turned off. When I won’t up this morning I could feel tingling/staticky sensations whenever my arm brushed against my OH. This stopped when I turned the blanket off.

i am now so worried that I’ve been exposed to some kind of electric current all night and that it could have detrimental affects on the pregnancy?!?

I am a worrier and worry about absolutely everything so just hoping for some reassurance really…

thanks in advance x

You are fine, there is no danger from an electric blanket (assuming it didn't catch fire or anything)

Please try not to worry. If it helps in 9 weeks pregnant and have been static for weeks (my hair is on the ceiling most day and keep giving DP shocks!) bizarre!

I still use my electric blanket now although on a low heat and my midwife has said it’s totally fine just don’t have it too hot. Xx

Thank you both so much. I struggle with anxiety at the best of times so it’s through the roof at the moment! I didn’t think it would ever happen and now it has I’m just desperate for everything to go well!

Thank you again 💕

I wouldn't worry about static affecting the baby but did you buy the blanket from a real company/shop or from Amazon marketplace? There are lots of unsafe electrical items on there (no ce mark or a fake one) and they could start a fire. If it is malfunctioning I'd watch it very carefully or replace with one from a reputable seller!

@MotherOfCrocodiles I think it’s from Amazon but was a gift so not 100% sure… I will be taking it off the bed tonight to be on the safe side 😬

Never had the shocks thing and I am a big electric blanket lover. There are warnings about using electric blankets during pregnancy but it’s more to do with it raising your core temperature too high- same reason you’re not supposed to go in hot tubs or saunas. Having said that I’ve kept mine on, I just have it on a low temperature to take the chill off the bed and it knocks off after an hour anyway. Just be sensible with it, don’t be roasting yourself and make sure it’s a reputable brand.

I don’t use an electric blanket at night but I’m currently draped under one and have been since 815am. 14w pregnant. The issues seem to be about raising core temperature, but if you raise core temperature enough to harm a foetus you’ll probably have collapsed already.

I was the same with awful anxiety throughout pregnancy about so many things - but if it helps I lived under an electric blanket for my whole 1st trimester and I’m now cuddling my wonderful 10 week old baby 😊

Your baby will be fine @mgwyegve. I zapped myself on an electric fence when I was pregnant with DS and he's totally fine

You only have to be careful with electric blankets in case you get too hot