Microwaves

[Anonymous]

Just as I was wondering why nobody at work has said anything about my pregnancy, which at 21 weeks is now obvious... I'm in the lunch room and someone I don't really know came up to me and said "should you even be in here!?" I had no idea what she was getting at, so she went on "haven't you heard what microwaves do to babies?!" Nobody, including my doctor, has ever told me that I should not be in the same room as a microwave. I wasn't standing in front of it, or even near it. I was only in there for a couple of minutes. So I guess people ARE noticing I'm pregnant afterall. And judging me.

What I wanted to say to her: Are you an obstetrician? No? Have you ever been pregnant? No? Do you even know me? No? Then don't give me unsolicited advice!

But instead I just smiled and told her not to worry. I guess I should prepare myself for more of this, it's only bound to get worse.

[Anonymous]

When I was pregant I was told this: "if microwaves really harmed babies wouldn't there be lawsuits against the microwave companies?" I thought good point. I think maybe years agao they were dangerous, but I didn't worry about it. My baby is perfectly healthy.

[Anonymous]

I had read about the potential risk of microwaves somewhere during my 1st pregnancy.

Here is a link I found with a quick search: http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/question/infants/microwave.html When I was in the kitchen area at work, I put what I needed in the microwave and walked away from it. So that if there was leaking radiation I was not right in front of it.

You will hear a lot of things from people from - should you be getting your nails done, to hair colored etc. I smile and say thank you for your concern - I have discussed it with my dr and they say it is OK.

In addition, there are a lot of things your dr will not mention. (at least in my experience). I believe drs in this area think that woman are doing a lot of reading and prepping outside of office visits and will bring questions of clarification to them.

With my current pregnancy, I did not even get the foods to avoid / things you should eat list. They just assumed - oh she has been pregnant before she knows the deal.

Best of luck with the remainder of your pregnancy

[Anonymous]

Pregnant or not, I don't stand in front of a microwave. I just take a few steps back and off to the side. There's nothing wrong with being in the same room as a microwave.

I think you handled it well. Sometimes a simple "thanks for sharing your concern" is all I give.

[Anonymous]

When a friend was at Hopkins for cancer treatement, he was told he could not eat microwaved foods. I don't know why that is. We haven't had one in years and it works well for us. I had never heard to stay away from one when you are pregnant though but it makes sense.

[Anonymous]

There was an article about this in the Washington Post Express recently..... basically the danger of microwaves has been made out to be more than what it is. It specifically said in the article that there's not any danger.