Computer use while pregnant

[Claradonna]

Hello,

Does anyone know if it is safe to use computers while pregnant?

Also, if there specifics on type of computer,
hours of work per day,
or on the trimester of pregnancy?

I wonder also if Erin continued her work while she was carrying her children, or if she would recommend against it?


Thanks!

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Obviously I am not Erin, but I am pretty sure I remember her posting/writing on VegFamily while she was pregnant with their son. Maybe you mean her psychic work...which I also think she would have continued. I am not sure why she wouldn't though there is plenty I don't understand about that.

I don't know of any reason why you shouldn't use a computer while pregnant. I've known lots of people who did and it wasn't a problem.

What specifically are you worried about?

[raji]

You will ok using a computer during pregnancy. I did, I was working fulltime in software dev and also going to school for masters in computer science, so I did spend many hours everyday on the computer throughout my pregnancy. Now I have a very healthy normal 4 month old. Hope this helps.

[Addict]

I'd be much more worried about cellphones actually. Why would a computer be dangerous anyway? Do you have any reasons that you're worried about it?

[Matthew Shea]

Computers might give off some electromagnetic radiation (radio waves) from the power supply and main board and CRT monitors (big, heavy traditional ones, not the new flat panels) give off X rays. That's probably where the concern is coming from. Both of those, however, are so weak that it should be of no concern. Modern CRT monitors are required to comply with some pretty strict standards, anyway. My wife used computers regularly throughout her pregnancy and our son is fine. If you're concerned about the monitor, get an LCD screen. There's not much to be done about the computer itself, but again, I can't imagine that being a concern.

Here's a decent reference on the CRT issue.

[Dharma]

If you have a modern CRT or LCD screen there's nothing to worry about.

[Claradonna]

Thank you all for your input!

So there is a difference, then, between electromagnetic output between old school computers and new flat screens?
For instance, would the old school computers, like the IBMs from the early 1980s, have more or less output than modern computers?

Also, is it only the screen to be concerned with, not the body of the computer itself?


Thanks!

[Matthew Shea]

Originally Posted by Claradonna

So there is a difference, then, between electromagnetic output between old school computers and new flat screens?
For instance, would the old school computers, like the IBMs from the early 1980s, have more or less output than modern computers?

There would be a difference. Typically, the older the CRT, the more X rays it would give off. LCDs and Plasma screens give off none at all due to their design. Any screen made from the mid-90's onward, though, would pose no real concern, CRTs included.

Also, is it only the screen to be concerned with, not the body of the computer itself?

Basically yes. You'll get some electromagnetic radiation from the computer itself, but you get that from anything that uses electricity. I'd be a lot more concerned about using the microwave, personally.

[Brutha]

In addition you should use Cables instead of Wireless network card if you want to reduce radiation.

Standing up and walking a bit every hour or so is also healty.
Normal people should walk around at least oune hour per day (when you lie in hosptial you get medicaments when you can't walk around that hour).
To be complety safe on that road you could set yourself a higher limit of walking around each day.

Living near a radio station is far greater effect in term of electromagnetic radiation than being around a computer.