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    19 Aug 2012

    USING A LAPTOP DURING PREGNANCY....




    Question.     Is it safe for a pregnant woman to use a laptop directly on her lap? I'm worried that there may be a danger to my baby from the heat and/or radiation from the computer being so close.
    Answer.       Laptops have become such a fixture in our work and personal lives, the thought of not being able to use it safely ... well, it might be like telling a mom-to-be that she can't drive a car!
    Luckily, a laptop is safe to use in pregnancy. Some laptops can get warmer than others, but the heat should not cause a problem for your baby, nor should any fear of radiation. Place the laptop on your thighs or laptop desk for maximum comfort. The screen of the computer, also known as a VDU (visual display unit) was once thought to emit radiation that might lead to problems with pregnancy including miscarriage. This idea has been disproved in recent studies.
    If you are a heavy laptop user, or even spend a lot of time seated, it is a good idea to make sure you:
    • Have a chair and desk that provide good support for your back
    • Get up frequently to move around to promote good circulation
    • Take breaks to prevent eyestrain




    Ask Heidi Murkoff "I recently read that laptop use may hurt a man's fertility. Now I'm wondering if using a laptop might hurt my baby."
    Balancing a laptop when your lap has lapsed isn't easy — but it isn't dangerous, either.  Though one study did show a link between the heat emitted from a laptop and a decrease in a man's fertility, most experts agree that such low levels of heat don't pose any risk to a developing fetus.  Neither is there a radiation risk to your baby from using a computer or a laptop.  But, to play it safe, keep the laptop on top of your lap (closer to your knees) and not on your belly (which would be a tough balancing act anyway).  After all, it's not called a bellytop. Even better, keep the laptop on a desk or table during your pregnancy — you'll end up with less back strain and fewer typos too.





    I was told that using a laptop on your lap while being on the internet (thus using wifi) when pregnant is bad for baby due to the radiations and the heat. So I googled the subject and found some scary stuff on the subject (see this article in particular www.goodhealthinfo.net/radiation/radiation.htm)
    Now I'm worried because I'm on the laptop most nights (I also work on a PC all day!) and I've been putting it on my lap quite often. I've been so careful throughout my pregnancy to date that now I feel a bit worried that it was all in vain. Is it true? Has anyone used a wifi laptop in previous pregnancies? Should I stop putting it on my lap?



    (NaturalNews) In today's society of hustle and bustle, being pregnant rarely gives opportunity for letting up or taking a break. Many women, whether they are working or are stay-at-home moms, engage in the use of cell phones and laptop computers more and more. Does this pose more of risk for the mother-to-be and her unborn baby than anyone else? Considering how thetwo individuals are affected and the recent information coming forth from research studies, the answer is emphatically: yes!

    Cell phone usage

    A connection has been made between the use of cell phones during pregnancy and hyperactivity in children.

    Mice were used to show that exposure to radiofrequency from cell phones manifests in:

    • Hyperactivity
    • Impaired memory

    Approximately 5 percent of school-aged children suffer from the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). What are the concerns here?

    Children with ADHD exhibit:

    • Lower grades
    • The inability to abide by the rules

    A study published in March of this year from the combined efforts of Yale University and Yale University School of Medicine discovered a link between exposing the fetus to cell phone usage and behavioral issues in the resulting child. And this doesn't affect just children. Long-term neurological, as well as physiological problems, carry over into the adult years.

    Senior author Hugh S. Taylor, reports, "This is the first experimental evidence that fetal exposure to radiofrequency radiation from cellular telephones does in fact affect adult behavior."

    Due to the increased usage of cell phones for things other than just taking calls, i.e., listening to music and waking up in the morning, there is more exposure to radiofrequency radiation exposure than ever before. The mice used in the studies were observed at different levels of exposure, 800-1900 Mhz-rated radiofrequency radiation, in addition to different lengths of exposure. Side effects increased as radiation levels and usage increased.

    How can mother and baby be protected?

    Recommendations include:

    • Text, don't talk. When you press send, hold the cell phone as far away from your body as possible.
    • Use an air tube type headset or speaker phone.
    • If you do have to make calls with your cell phone, keep them short.
    • Only make calls when a strong signal is available. When the phone has to work harder to connect, it emits more radiation.
    • Use a corded phone whenever possible.

    Laptop usage

    What about the use of laptop computers when pregnant?

    A recent Italian study from Siena shows the danger of using laptops when pregnant. The researchers measured the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produced by five well-known brands of laptops and approximated the amount of currents in the body.

    These currents measured much higher than the recent values and recommendations set forth for computer monitors magnetic field emissions by the Swedish Board for Technical Accreditation and the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees.

    As with cell phone usage, the effects of EMFs from laptops increase with higher exposure. This exposure is considered a risk factor for developing tumors in the blood. The laptop itself is not the only concern. The power supply is responsible for generating currents much higher than is recommended to avoid health complications.

    Keeping mother and baby safe means:

    • Not charging the laptop while in use.
    • Keeping as much space between the laptop and body as possible.

    In a world full of technology that makes our lives easier and more efficient, it's sometimes easy to forget the problems that come along with the advantages of talking on a mobile phone and using a portable computer. Regardless of the convenience and time saved, nothing is more important or of a higher priority than our children and their safety.

    Sources for this article include:

    http://wifiinschools.org.uk/resources/Aldad2012...

    http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-hot-but...

    http://www.localssupportinglocals.ca/news/new-i...

    About the author:
    Lloyd Burrell has spent the last 10 years researching the effects of electromagnetic fields on health, after becoming electrically sensitive in 2002. He now offers practical advice on "healthy living in our electromagnetic world". You can download his free EMF Health Report and subscribe to his newsletter by visiting his website ElectricSense.com. You can also follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
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