Could Cellphone Use During Pregnancy Harm Your Baby?

May 10, 2012 - PRLog -- For any mum-to-be, navigating the minefield of conflicting health information while pregnant is a daunting prospect. The list of products, foods and activities to avoid can seem endless. But should you now be adding your cellphone to that list?

Recent research studies have shown links between cellphone use during pregnancy and an increase in behavioral problems after birth. While cellphone companies are adamant that their products are safe, experts are divided.

Today’s children are the first generation to be exposed to cellphone and Wi-Fi radiation throughout their entire lifetime and the primary worry, for both scientists and the general public, is that the long-term effects are still largely unknown.

What health risks are associated with cellphone and wireless use?

Telecommunication devices such as cellphones, cordless telephones and wireless devices use radiofrequency waves, a form of electromagnetic radiation (EMR), to receive and send signals. EMR is also generated by everyday household appliances, such as televisions, computers and printers.

We know that very high levels of electromagnetic radiation can produce molecular changes in body tissue and DNA. This type of radiation, generated by X-rays and gamma rays, is known as ionizing radiation.

The radiation emitted by radiofrequency waves, microwaves and electrical appliances is called non-ionizing radiation, because many experts believe it is not powerful enough to cause damage to cells or DNA.

Nevertheless, in 2011 the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified radiofrequency fields as, “Possibly carcinogenic to humans.”

Why are children and babies more at risk?

A 2005 study published in the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, raised concerns that children were vulnerable to cellphone radiation due to their developing nervous systems and, "more conductive" brain tissue.

Cellphone use during pregnancy has also been linked to behavioral problems later in life. In 2008, Professor of Epidemiology at UCLA, Doctor Leeka Kheifets, studied the scholastic performance of over 13 000 children and found that when a mother used a cellphone during pregnancy, there was a 54% higher incidence of behavioral issues at school, including hyperactivity, inattention and emotional issues.

Many countries around the world, including the UK, Germany, France and Scandinavia, have already taken steps to reduce cellphone use among pregnant women and young children.

Now mums-to-be can protect their babies with the TummyTube undergarment

Concerned about the future health of babies exposed to radiation while in the womb, New Zealand-based company MummyWraps has devised a unique maternity garment. The TummyTube protective undergarment incorporates patented Swiss Shield® fabric, to deflect radiation from cellphones, wireless devices and electrical appliances, protecting unborn babies and allowing safe growth.

Designed to be worn underneath regular garments, the TummyTube is a comfortable, discrete solution for mums wanting to protect their babies from the earliest stages of life.

The TummyTube protective undergarment is available for sale on the MummyWraps website, with FREE worldwide delivery. Visit out website to find out more, or to order your garment today.

Further Resources
http://www.mummywraps.com
http://www.facebook.com/MummyWraps/
2005 Pediatrics study: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/116/2/e303....