Usage of phones and other electronic devices increases annually, with 8.8 billion mobile subscriptions worldwide in 2025. Though generally assumed to be safe, the potential health risks of such devices remain unknown. Recent research indicates that phones and other electromagnetic field (EMF)-emitting devices may not be completely benign, and some studies even suggest they could harm babies in the womb [1–8]. Here’s what you need to know about the safety of using cell phones during pregnancy.
A short introduction to EMF
When people casually refer to EMF today, they most often mean radiofrequency (RF) EMF, which is emitted from cell phones, laptops, Wi-Fi routers, and other such wireless devices. However, understanding EMF requires a more nuanced look.
An EMF contains both an electric and a magnetic field. Positive and negative charges generate the electric field, whereas the flow of electrons (the electric current) creates the magnetic field. Electromagnetic waves are characterized by their frequency, or cycles per second, measured in Hertz (Hz).
Ionizing vs. non-ionizing radiation
Generally, the radiation produced by EMFs are divided into two types: ionizing and non-ionizing. First, ionizing radiation emits waves at higher frequencies, allowing electrons to be displaced from the atom, which can break DNA strands, kill cells, and change chemical structures.
Second, non-ionizing radiation emits waves at lower frequencies and cannot cause such dramatic health problems, though it can excite electrons and heat molecules. Non-ionizing radiation can be further categorized into higher and lower frequencies, with categories and examples listed below from highest to lowest frequency:
- Ultraviolet Light (UV): sunlight, tanning beds (higher frequency UV rays are ionizing)
- Visible Light: the only waves people can see (colors red to violet)
- Infrared: heaters, thermal imaging
- Radiofrequency: cell phones, laptops, Wi-Fi routers, radios
- Extremely Low Frequency: electricity from power sockets, power lines
The consumer devices of concern, including cell phones, typically operate in the radiofrequency spectrum. Generally, such devices are considered safe(r) since they do not produce ionizing radiation. However, a growing body of literature has begun to decipher what effect RF-EMF has during pregnancy on the developing fetus, and what effects persist as the child ages.
The consumer devices of concern, including cell phones, typically operate in the radiofrequency spectrum. Generally, such devices are considered safe(r) since they do not produce ionizing radiation. However, a growing body of literature has begun to decipher what effect RF-EMF has during pregnancy on the developing fetus, and what effects persist as the child ages.
Effects of RF-EMF exposure in human studies
Generally, analyses thus far on the health risk of constant use of an RF-EMF emitting device are inconclusive, but a few concerns have been raised.
Health risks during pregnancy
An increased likelihood of early miscarriage has been associated with higher amounts of RF-EMF exposure.
- Un retrospective case control study evaluated unexplained miscarriages that occurred after 14 weeks of pregnancy in 292 women. It correlated EMF exposure from history of cell phone usage with an increased risk of miscarriage [3].
- A méta-analyse published in 2021 demonstrated an increased risk of miscarriage in pregnant women exposed to high levels of EMF during their pregnancy [4].
Pre-term birth may also be impacted by RF-EMF. A méta-analyse evaluating women in Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, and Korea saw a higher risk of pre-term birth with higher cell phone usage, but such results cannot conclusively state causation [9].
Studies disagree on the impact of RF-EMF on fetal growth. Une étude found that the use of a cellphone for more than 30 minutes per day during pregnancy may restrict the growth of the fetus [10]. However, a meta-analysis said cellphone use had no such effect [9].
Health effects in children post-pregnancy
Some studies claim long-term effects in children whose mothers had higher RF-EMF exposure.
An increased rate of behavioral problems was frequently linked to such exposure.
- A étude from participants in Denmark, Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, and Spain provided evidence that children whose mothers had higher cell phone usage during pregnancy had a higher likelihood of the children having hyperactivity, emotional, or behavioral problems [5].
- In two studies of Danish children, the children of mothers who had higher cell phone use pre- or postnatally had a higher rate of behavioral problems [6,7].
Migraines and headaches may also result from high RF-EMF exposure. In another Danish study, higher rates of migraines and headaches were observed in children exposed prenatally and postnatally to cellphones [8].
Not all studies conclusively saw a difference in the neurobehavior of children. Researchers assessed pregnant mothers for mobile phone exposure during pregnancy and followed up 12, 24, and 36 months post-birth [11]. They saw no association between exposure in utero and the child’s neurodevelopment at 3 years of age [11].
Effects of RF-EMF exposure in animal studies
More extensive animal studies have attempted to evaluate the impact of RF-EMF exposure.
Impairments to the brain and its functioning have been observed in animal studies.
- Dans un mouse study, mice exposed to a cellphone in utero had impaired memory and were also hyperactive as adults [12].
- Autre étude in rats exposed to 2 hours of a Wi-Fi signal a day during gestion saw impaired neurodevelopment in the rats’ offspring [13].
- Rats exposed prenatally to 6 hours of RF-EMF per day had less memory retention and greater difficulty learning compared to rats not exposed to RF-EMF, even though their brains did not look structurally different [14].
- Rats exposed to radiation daily for 10 to 60 minutes over 20 days had different brain chemistry than rats not exposed [15].
- Rats exposed to RF-EMF prenatally for 1 hour per day for 8 days had lower numbers of a type of neuron called Purkinje cells at 32 days post-birth [16].
Other health risks seen in animal studies included the increase in stress oxydatif:
- A cohort of mice were exposed to mobile phones for 2 hours a day for 20 days during gestation, and after birth, they exhibited higher levels of oxidative stress in their tissues than mice not exposed to phones [17].
- A group of rabbits were exposed to RF-EMF prenatally, which led to an augmenter in oxidative stress and change in some blood chemistry parameters [18].
- Dans une autre étude, rabbits had higher levels of damage caused by oxidative stress in the brain when exposed to mobile phone EMF frequencies during gestation and for a month after birth [19].
Possible reasons for health risks associated with RF-EMF exposure
Unfortunately, no current research can answer whether the purported health risks of RF-EMF exposure are real, and if they are real, what about the exposure caused them.
Some researchers have suggested that RF-EMF exposure leads to a transfer of energy. For the developing brain, this energy could make the brain more permeable and more susceptible to toxins, such as plomb, entering the brain [20]. Others have suggested that exposure may impair the release of mélatoninequi protects neurons [20,21]. One étude found that in mice exposed postnatally, the radiation did not kill or alter neurons, but the myelin sheath that protects neurons was damaged [22].
The bottom line? Should RF-EMF cause health problems, many more studies will need to determine why, how, and to what extent.
So do EMFs matter for your baby’s health or not?
Linking RF-EMF directly to health consequences in and after pregnancy proves extremely challenging. Randomized control studies on pregnant women are unethical, so many studies must evaluate correlation, which does not equate to causation. Furthermore, some studies did not measure the niveau of EMF exposure directly, but instead relied on subjective measures, such as asking the mothers about their exposure level. Without a direct measure, some mothers may have overreported exposure, while others underreported. Also, some of the post-pregnancy studies asked the mothers about their children’s behavior, which would also give a subjective response.
Other confounding factors may have been involved, such as differences in genetics or lifestyle. For example, children may be attention-seeking later in life because their parents sat on their phones all day, not directly because of increased exposure in utero. Excessive screen time in pregnancy is also associated with increased maternal stress and anxiety, poor sleep, and physical inactivity, all of which may negatively impact the health of a developing child [23].
Confounding factors may be involved, such as differences in genetics or lifestyle. For example, children may be attention-seeking later in life because their parents sat on their phones all day, not directly because of increased exposure in utero. Excessive screen time in pregnancy is also associated with increased maternal stress and anxiety, poor sleep, and physical inactivity, all of which may negatively impact the health of a developing child.
And while animal studies have been helpful in examining certain effects and indicate a potential negative impact on the brain, these studies may or may not be relevant to humans.
The conclusion? Research does not yet have the answer on how or even if cell phone use in pregnancy can negatively affect your baby.
RF-EMF risk reduction
While researchers continue searching for answers, the cautious mother can take certain reasonable measures to reduce RF-EMF intensity.
As a rule of thumb, the intensity of EMF-radiation decreases with the inverse of the square of the distance from the device. For instance, if you move 2 feet away from a device, the intensity reduces to 1/4 the original intensity (and if you move 4 feet away, the intensity decreases to 1/16). Turning off RF-EMF-emitting devices when not in use and distancing yourself from them as much as possible significantly decreases exposure. Other good practices include:
- Turning your phone off or putting it on airplane mode when you carry it in your pocket or in your purse.
- Keeping your phone away from your belly when in use.
- Placing your phone across the room (or in another room) when not in use (or turning it off altogether).
- Putting laptops and tablets on a table rather than on your lap.
- Turning off Wi-Fi routers at night (an outlet timer is useful).
- Using Ethernet cables instead of Wi-Fi when possible.
- Covering your belly with an EMF-shielding fabric when exposed to RF-EMF for long durations.
Key takeaway
We are still learning about the potential health risks of near-constant use of cellphones and other RF-EMF-emitting devices. A greater technical awareness of ionizing vs non-ionizing radiation, categories of EMF, and the impact of distance on radiation intensity can help mothers understand the potential concerns.
While we wait for definitive answers, all of us can practice caution by staying away from (or turning off) our devices when not in use, and being sure to not use them excessively. Chances are, we can tous benefit from stepping away from our cell phones and laptops more frequently (whether pregnant or not), and EMFs may have nothing to do with it.
Références
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