Is it safe to use a fitness tracker during pregnancy?
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nehaad88
Posts: 159 Member
Hi people,
Just wanted to know your thoughts on safety of fitness trackers during pregnancy. Usually pregnant women are asked to limit their exposure to cell phone radiations. Is it applicable to fitness tracker too?
I have not read any article or anything regarding this. Just a genuine query.
Thanks.
Just wanted to know your thoughts on safety of fitness trackers during pregnancy. Usually pregnant women are asked to limit their exposure to cell phone radiations. Is it applicable to fitness tracker too?
I have not read any article or anything regarding this. Just a genuine query.
Thanks.
0
Replies
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The manufacturer's guidelines may give you as good an answer as any.1
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You already know the answer.
I would absolutely not use one, there is no benefit apart from convenience and the cool factor, and many serious health risks for you and the baby.
Your focus should be eating well and moving frequently, with an understanding that the odds are already against you relating to toxins and radiation already in the environment, don´t add to it.
"The short wavelength and rapid oscillation of microwave frequencies make them adept at being able to penetrate living tissue down to a cellular level.
...
Long-term exposure to microwave radiation has been linked to:
cancer
leukemia
brain tumors
alzheimers
autism
ADD
miscarriages
birth defects
autoimmune illnesses
multiple sclerosis
hair loss
suicide
Non-Thermal microwave radiation has been shown to affect biological changes within the body. These biological changes happen on a cellular level and their effects can be passed on to offspring via genetic damage (DNA, RNA)."
It's your choice, but I would not.1 -
Speak to your doctor.0
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I didn't during mine. I would ask your OB.0
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It's totally fine. Unless you're really into conspiracy theories, you don't need to worry about these kinds of low-level transmissions. Fitbit is a bluetooth device, which according to the manufacturer, emits around 0.5% the power of a cell phone and doesn't pose pregnancy risks:
https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Charge-HR/Is-the-Charge-HR-LED-sensor-safe/m-p/632541/highlight/true#M3397
However, if you're in the tin-foil-hat club, and you're still afraid of microwave radiation in general (the frequency band that Wifi and Bluetooth use), what you should be really afraid of is the SUN. DO NOT GO IN THE SUN IF YOU ARE AFRAID OF RADIATION! It emits so much more than your Fitbit or Wifi router or whatever!
Article about sun vs wifi radiation (warning: written by scientist)
http://www.atomsandnumbers.com/2013/why-the-sun-can-harm-you-and-wifi-cant-and-how-microwave-ovens-cook-your-food/12 -
A_Patient_Wolf wrote: »You already know the answer.
I would absolutely not use one, there is no benefit apart from convenience and the cool factor, and many serious health risks for you and the baby.
Your focus should be eating well and moving frequently, with an understanding that the odds are already against you relating to toxins and radiation already in the environment, don´t add to it.
"The short wavelength and rapid oscillation of microwave frequencies make them adept at being able to penetrate living tissue down to a cellular level.
...
Long-term exposure to microwave radiation has been linked to:
cancer
leukemia
brain tumors
alzheimers
autism
ADD
miscarriages
birth defects
autoimmune illnesses
multiple sclerosis
hair loss
suicide
Non-Thermal microwave radiation has been shown to affect biological changes within the body. These biological changes happen on a cellular level and their effects can be passed on to offspring via genetic damage (DNA, RNA)."
It's your choice, but I would not.
Not sure I would trust a general anti-science conspiracy website (emfblues.com) that will solve all your problems by selling "crystal catalyst beads" for "overall personal EMF protection" and "enhance energy" or to "Transform harmful EMFs into harmonious frequencies. / Creates a ‘stress-free’ environment for your body to function in."
This is all pseudoscientific garbage that isn't based on the least bit of evidence.6 -
If your fitness tracker emits high levels of radiation, don't use it. My FitBit One is fine. But ask your doctor, not us!1
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A_Patient_Wolf wrote: »You already know the answer.
I would absolutely not use one, there is no benefit apart from convenience and the cool factor, and many serious health risks for you and the baby.
Your focus should be eating well and moving frequently, with an understanding that the odds are already against you relating to toxins and radiation already in the environment, don´t add to it.
"The short wavelength and rapid oscillation of microwave frequencies make them adept at being able to penetrate living tissue down to a cellular level.
...
Long-term exposure to microwave radiation has been linked to:
cancer
leukemia
brain tumors
alzheimers
autism
ADD
miscarriages
birth defects
autoimmune illnesses
multiple sclerosis
hair loss
suicide
Non-Thermal microwave radiation has been shown to affect biological changes within the body. These biological changes happen on a cellular level and their effects can be passed on to offspring via genetic damage (DNA, RNA)."
It's your choice, but I would not.
Suicide? We're talking about a motion detector. Don't you think that's maybe a little over the top?2 -
Thanks for your inputs guys.
Science/pseudoscience or not, I am of the opinion that it's better to be safe than sorry.1 -
Unless your fitness tracker is nuclear powered you should be fine. They don't emit radiation. I've been wearing mine continuously for three years and have had no ill effects. I even shower and sleep with it on.3
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Wait what? How.. I mean.. Why shouldn't it be OK?0
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Thanks for your inputs guys.
Science/pseudoscience or not, I am of the opinion that it's better to be safe than sorry.
Okay, looks like your mind is made up.
"I Am Not A Doctor" - but I would guess that the health benefits of maintaining some level of fitness during pregnancy far, far outweight the unfounded or negligible "risks" of minute Bluetooth transmissions.0 -
k9education wrote: »Are you going to avoid the sun? Using the microwave in your house? What about wireless internet? What about public wifi? Imagine the risk of entering a Starbucks where they have both microwaves and wifi. What about your cell phone? What about other peoples' cell phones? What about the borax in your mattress? Do you use household cleaners aside from vinegar? Lawn chemicals? Any friends or co-workers smokers? Research has shown that third-hand smoke contains carcinogens (e.g. smokers' skin, clothing, belongings, etc.). My point is that there are 1001 things you encounter on a daily basis that pose a far greater health concern than a fitness tracker. In the end it's your choice, but it is indeed ridiculous to be worried about a fitness tracker and none of the other things you encounter on a daily basis.
Lol, YES. Watch out, there is also arsenic in tap water, rice, meat, and pears (among other things).0 -
Wait what? How.. I mean.. Why shouldn't it be OK?
There is a section of the population, along with anti-vaccine activists, detox smoothie drinkers, homeopaths, and general anti-science crowd that believe that household devices that use radio transmissions (Wifi, bluetooth, etc etc) are harmful and detrimental to human health. This, despite an overwhelming research consensus that it is absolute rubbish.
See here for an overview.1 -
Thanks for your inputs guys.
Science/pseudoscience or not, I am of the opinion that it's better to be safe than sorry.
You're correct. Disconnect your house from mains electricity, don't go out in daylight, don't use computers of any sort.
Fwiw, after over 20 years of research there has been no evidence of risk to health from mobile telephony. Given that both ANT+ and Bluetooth work in different frequency ranges and extremely low power you're more at risk from living in areas with a lot of granite.0 -
A_Patient_Wolf wrote: »"The short wavelength and rapid oscillation of microwave frequencies make them adept at being able to penetrate living tissue down to a cellular level..
Humour me here... Whilst that point is factually correct I don't think the originator was suggesting standing in front of a long range radar for prolonged periods.
Can you point me to some evidence that suggests that ANT+ and Bluetooth have measurable effects on the human body?0 -
A_Patient_Wolf wrote: »You already know the answer.
I would absolutely not use one, there is no benefit apart from convenience and the cool factor, and many serious health risks for you and the baby.
Your focus should be eating well and moving frequently, with an understanding that the odds are already against you relating to toxins and radiation already in the environment, don´t add to it.
"The short wavelength and rapid oscillation of microwave frequencies make them adept at being able to penetrate living tissue down to a cellular level.
...
Long-term exposure to microwave radiation has been linked to:
cancer
leukemia
brain tumors
alzheimers
autism
ADD
miscarriages
birth defects
autoimmune illnesses
multiple sclerosis
hair loss
suicide
Non-Thermal microwave radiation has been shown to affect biological changes within the body. These biological changes happen on a cellular level and their effects can be passed on to offspring via genetic damage (DNA, RNA)."
It's your choice, but I would not.
Thank you for posting this, I got a good laugh out of it.0
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