answersLogoWhite

0

electricity is dangerous to everyone, but if you are pregnant, you pass the risk on to the unborn child.

A small shock to you may be an electrocution for them, being so small.

-------------------------

This is far too general an answer that it needs to be amplified.

Static electricity is created when different materials rub against one another and electrons are moved between them. It's called a static charge because the excess of electrons on one of the materials just sits there waiting for an opportunity to move to another material to achieve a neutral balance. The most common is from your fingertip to the doorknob. As you walk across the carpet, your shoes pick up electrons as the soles slide across the surface of the carpet. In fact, the electrons spread all over your body and clothing. When you reach for the doorknob, the electrons find a very hospitable path back to the carpet. Zap! We've all been there.

Lightning is also static electricity. The turbulence of the air in the clouds causes electrons to get knocked loose and leaves areas of excess electrons and areas of too few electrons, and when the difference becomes big enough, a lightning bolt will allow the excess electrons to flow. Nature likes equilibrium.

Now, to the original question. The static electricity that gives you a shock at the doorknob travels almost entirely on the surface of the skin, and is not a significant (if even measurable) concern to a developing fetus. [I am a scientist, not a doctor].

Lightning, on the other hand, carries so much current, that while most of it flows on the skin, a significant portion finds its way though the body. This would put not only the baby at risk, but also Mom.

Electricity, the lower-voltage kind that is generated by a power plant or batteries is far more dangerous than static electricity for a number of reasons. Primarily, there is a lot more of it. Once a static charge is discharged, it's gone. Nature has found its equilibrium. Generated electricity, however, just keeps coming.

You can put your fingers on a car battery's terminals and you won't feel a thing. Break the skin and the current finds an easy path to follow through the circulatory system. It's wet and slightly salty - electricity likes that.

Again, back to the original answer - because Mom and the baby do not share the same circulatory system, the baby is somewhat insulated from electricity flowing through Mom. Remember, I am a scientist, not a doctor.

Generally speaking, nature protects the fetus pretty well, so I would not worry about common static discharges that we encounter on any dry day.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

Is rubber buckets conduct static electricity?

Rubber buckets do not conduct static electricity due to their insulating properties. This makes them a safe choice for tasks where static electricity could pose a risk.


What is a dangerous use of static electricity?

A dangerous use of static electricity is the risk of sparking in environments with flammable gases or vapors. The spark created by static electricity can ignite these substances, leading to fires or explosions. It is important to manage static electricity in such environments to prevent accidents.


Why can static electricity not to be used to run a television?

static electricity is static electricity


What are some dangerous forms of static electricity?

Some dangerous forms of static electricity include sparks that can cause fires or explosions in environments with flammable gases or dust, static discharges that can damage sensitive electronic equipment, and lightning strikes that pose a risk to people and property.


What is the type of electricity that electrons build up on an object?

static electricity


Is lightning a current or static electricity?

static electricity


Does static electricity have a smell?

No, static electricity does not have a smell.


How do auto static straps help prevent static electricity buildup in vehicles?

Auto static straps help prevent static electricity buildup in vehicles by providing a path for the static charge to safely discharge to the ground, reducing the risk of sparks that could ignite flammable gases or cause damage to electronic components.


What does static electricity constitute?

Static electricity constitutes of charges that are static i.e. they do not move.


What is useful about static electricity?

You can move things with static electricity!


What is static electricity in the easy form?

Easy static electricity


What is the part of speech is static electricity?

Static electricity is a noun phrase consisting of an adjective ("static") and a noun ("electricity").