Can electric blankets be used during pregnancy?
It is generally not recommended to use electric blankets during pregnancy as they often cause dryness and heatiness in the body, leading to constipation. Additionally, electromagnetic radiation from electric blankets may have an impact on the fetus. The fetal skeletal development is particularly sensitive to electromagnetic fields, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy, where the rate of spontaneous abortion is higher. The electromagnetic radiation emitted by electric blankets may affect cell division, causing abnormal development and potentially leading to fetal malformations. Moreover, excessively high maternal body temperature can significantly reduce the number of fetal brain cells, potentially affecting the fetus's intellectual development. Therefore, it is not advised to use electric blankets during pregnancy.
If a pregnant woman feels cold, she can preheat the electric blanket for half an hour before going to bed. Once the bed is warm, she should turn off the switch, unplug the power source, and then lie down. During pregnancy, feeling cold may be a physiological response related to a slight elevation in a woman's basal body temperature. Pregnant women can incorporate more warm foods into their daily diet, such as carrots, ginger, beef, and mutton, and drink plenty of hot water. They can also rely on external sources such as heaters, hot water bottles, and additional layers of clothing and bedding to alleviate feelings of cold.
