Is It Safe To Wear Bluetooth Devices And Fitness Bands During Pregnancy?

What are SAR Levels Limits in Pregnancy?

SAR refers to a Specific Absorption Rate and is related to the radiation levels of electronic devices. The legal limit of SAR in the US is 1.6 W/kg. However, most mobile phones have a SAR that is dangerously close to this 1.6W/kg limit.

There are very few studies that explore the harmful effects of Bluetooth. Many reports suggest that the radiation from Bluetooth devices is too low to be dangerous. However, some studies suggest that the SAR of Bluetooth devices is also not low enough. Furthermore, Bluetooth uses frequency in the range of 2.4 GHz to 2.48 GHz – this falls in the microwave range. That means Bluetooth uses the same electromagnetic field as your microwave oven. Food for thought, huh?

And wearables are something that will be attached to your body at all times. Do you want yourself and the fetus to be in the microwave radiation range at all times? Or are you willing to trust the studies that deem Bluetooth safe? Most private researchers suggest that studies that prove Bluetooth to be “safe” are commissioned by the mobile industry. Therefore, they are not considered true by many. According to these, the short wavelength and rapid oscillation of Bluetooth devices that help it travel long distances also make it easy to penetrate human tissue at a cellular level.

The Other Side of the Story – How Can Bluetooth Devices and Fitness Bands Save Pregnancies?

Pregnancy these days comes with a number of potential complications. Pregnant women tend to panic and get insecure about things that they think can possibly go wrong. This is where wearables make a difference. There are many wearable sensors that can help in ensuring a safe pregnancy. While these are yet not so popular in India, they are used extensively abroad. These devices are mainly:

• Pregnancy audio belts that help you play music to the baby in the womb (no kidding!). They also double up as a belly support belt. It can be connected (via Bluetooth of course) to an MP3 player or iPod to play music.
• Handheld scanning devices that let you do an ultrasound scan in the convenience of your home. It is small and can be used to hear a baby’s heartbeat. it can also help in recording audio, and visual footage, or take pictures of the baby inside the womb. It is again connected to your smartphone using Bluetooth.
• Health trackers that track various health parameters like weight, BMI, pulse, and BP of pregnant women. They also send warning signals when something is wrong.

While these technological advances seem amazing, it is totally a different matter if you should use them. Is a repeated ultrasound of your uterus a good idea? Ultrasound is also radiation so you know what the answer is!

So, whether Bluetooth devices and fitness bands during pregnancy are good or not is still being questioned, using any kind of wireless technology means being under microwave radiation. This is a risk you might want to avoid at least during pregnancy. Remember, lack of evidence that it can cause harm is not a vote on safety.

FAQ’s

1. Can Using Bluetooth Lead to Abortion?

No, it may not. The radiation is too low from Bluetooth devices. However, it is best to limit usage.

2. Can a Fitness Band Harm the Fetus?

No, it won’t. The radiation from this is very low. It is considered safe to be used during pregnancy.

3. Can I Use Bluetooth Devices When Pregnant?

Yes, if you must. If it is absolutely necessary, like for work, then you can. It is best to avoid or reduce usage as much as possible.

4. Can Using Bluetooth Devices During Pregnancy Harm the Baby?

Research shows it doesn’t. This is based on radiation emitted by individual devices. This does not study continuous usage of multiple devices and its effects.

Read Also: Repeated Ultrasound Scans During Pregnancy – Are They Safe?