Is the Computer Dangerous for Pregnant Women?

Is the computer dangerous for pregnant women?

Doctors have not yet formed a consensus on this matter. And this is not surprising. After all, the computer era lasts only a little more than two decades - such a period of observation is clearly not enough for serious conclusions. In addition, the computers we work on now are strikingly different from those 10-15 years ago.

On the one hand, there is no reliable evidence that the computer increases the risk of miscarriage or increases the incidence of fetal malformations.

On the other hand, pregnancy is a state of the body that requires a woman to mobilize all her strength, physical and moral, and under these conditions all the negative aspects of the computer’s influence on health increase their impact. Let's talk about this in more detail.

During pregnancy, significant changes in blood circulation occur, which greatly affect the eyes. This often leads to changes in the fundus of the eye, the onset or progression of myopia. In combination with the negative influence of the monitor, the eyes of a pregnant woman are subjected to very serious tests.

Prolonged sitting leads to stagnation of blood in the pelvis. The blood supply to all organs located in the abdominal cavity, including the uterus, deteriorates, and the metabolic process slows down. During pregnancy, this means, among other things, a decrease in blood flow to the fetus with all the ensuing consequences: hypoxia, slow removal of metabolic products from the fetus...

Pregnancy and labor during childbirth often provoke the development and exacerbation of hemorrhoids. Considering that prolonged sitting, which is inevitable when working on a computer, is in itself one of the main risk factors for hemorrhoids, we can confidently say that if a pregnant woman works a lot on a computer (as, indeed, does any other sedentary work), then the appearance or exacerbation of hemorrhoids is very likely for her.

Weight gain during pregnancy and a forward shift of the body's center of gravity seriously increase the load on the spine. In addition, pregnant women often experience calcium deficiency in the body. The combination of these factors with a sitting position and, especially with an uncomfortable working posture that occurs when the computer is incorrectly positioned in the workplace, is a serious risk factor for the development of osteochondrosis and other diseases of the spine and joints.

Staying in a closed, unventilated area for a long time. This is bad for any person, but especially for a pregnant woman - not only herself, but also the baby lacks oxygen.

The most important factor in the normal course of pregnancy and the birth of a healthy child is the woman’s comfortable psychological state and the minimum amount of negative experiences and stress. Working on a computer only adds stress to our lives.

All these factors can affect the course of pregnancy and the well-being of the fetus.

What to do?

Firstly, from the very first days of pregnancy, a woman needs to be observed in an antenatal clinic. A qualified and experienced doctor will be able to promptly recognize any negative changes in her condition and give the necessary recommendations.

Secondly, current legislation obliges employers to transfer pregnant women to easier work while maintaining the same average earnings and all the benefits entitled to her according to labor legislation. The Labor Code, as well as SanPiN (Sanitary Norms and Rules) contain provisions obliging the administration to provide a pregnant woman with work that is not related to the use of a PC.

But if a pregnant woman still needs to continue working on the computer (or really wants to chat and play computer games), it is especially important for her to strictly follow all preventive measures for safe work on the computer.

Proper organization of the workplace and correct posture when working.

Work and rest schedule. Take 15-minute breaks from work every hour; during these breaks, be sure to get up, stretch, and walk around.