Winter is here with a vengeance in some areas of the world. The sub zero temperatures will have you searching for additional heat sources. One solution to the cold temperatures is an electric blanket. Is this safe during pregnancy? As with many things in pregnancy, this is a controversial subject.
There are two concerns associated with using an electric blanket, overheating and electromagnetic fields. Becoming overheated during pregnancy is not a good thing. An increased body temperature for a long period of time has been shown to increase the risk of neural tube defects and miscarriage. Does this mean that an electric blanket can cause these things?
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association studied the relationship of exposure to heat with the fetus developing a neural tube defect. While exposure to high fever, sauna and hot tubs did show an increased risk of a neural tube defect, using an electric blanket did not.
The other concern is that electric blankets create electromagnetic fields. The research is not conclusive in this area. Some studies have shown that the level of electromagnetic field associated with the use of an electric blanket is not enough to impact the fetus. A few have alluded to the fact that the electromagnetic field can cause miscarriages, cancer and impair fetal development.
The studies done on electromagnetic fields were done in the 1980s and mainly on people living in close proximity to high voltage transmission lines. Later studies that were limited to exposure to weak electromagnetic fields failed to replicate the results of the original studies. There is still a lot of controversy in this area.
The bottom line is there is no clear answer about the safety of sleeping with an electric blanket at night. While there is no clear evidence that they are safe, there is no substantial evidence that they are harmful either. It is up to you and your doctor to wade through the research and make the decision. Since your health care provider knows your personal history and risk factors best, you should consult her before using an electric blanket.
In the meantime, there are some things you can do to stay warm. Wear layers as you would during the day. Wear socks on your feet, pajamas and a robe. You can remove the robe if you get too warm. When you are ready to sleep, add an extra blanket or comforter to the bed. You can adjust your bedding to fit your comfort level throughout the night. Remove blankets or add them, as needed.
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