Scared, Electrical Shock, 37 weeks, 250 voltage

[MrsGooGil]

Hi Everyone,
I am so scared. I was turning on my pool filter and I received a shock. The box says it is 250 voltage. I am in my 37th week. I read online that it can cause damage to the fetus' heart and other problems.

Does anyone have experience or knowledge with this type of situation? I am scared to death.

The baby has been moving fine since then. I do not feel badly.

I am waiting for my back up doctor to call me back.

Please tell me if there is a chance of damage to the baby.
Thank you
Morgan

[MammaB21]

I'm no electrician, but my assumption would be that you didn't actually get a 250 volt shock. If a system is running off of a 250 volt outlet, it doesn't mean it's actually using that much power. Most things have down conversions, and I'm sure it also has a ground on it which means even if you felt a shock, it wasn't full force. As for how that all effects the baby, I'm not sure. I'd say it's probably safe to assume that if YOU"RE feeling okay (ie: the skin didn't burn, you didn't get knocked out, etc) the baby probably is as well. But this is probably something I would call your care provider about just to make sure. It's quite easy to run in quick and have them listen to the babies heart rate to make sure everything is as it should be.

[nova22]

Did this happen today?

I don't have any firsthand knowledge of this but my assumption would be that if you can still feel movement, your baby is probably okay. I think it's a good idea to have a quick check-up with your doctor to make sure the heartbeat is regular and look for signs of fetal stress. That must have been very scary and I hope everything is okay.

[Banana731]

That sucks mama!

I think it was probably less than 250v. My dh is an electronics technician, I wish he were here and I would be able to give you a 100% answer about that. I will try my very hardest to remember to do so when he gets home tonight.

FWIW- dh did get shocked with 250 actual volts during one of his training schools, and it knocked him out, like on the floor. He was lucky, my understanding is that while it had the potential to cause bad stuff, like fibrillation, it just didn't. The jokers in his class gave him this great plaque they made with the circut he got the shock from. It says "250 volts, is that a lot?" Good times.

The current has to travel through your body to get somewhere like the heart or the brain, or to the fetus. Whether or not it does so has to with a lot of factors, how dry your skin is, how long you touched the source, the path the electicity takes in your body, etc. I think chances are that if you are okay now, and your baby is moving around, then everything is okay. I'm sure your CP will comfirm that for you, but I hope in the meantime, our little story helps!

[MrsGooGil]

thank you mamas

Hi Mamas,
Thank you for your words of comfort. Anymore information from your husband would be so appreciated.

I was reading online some scary statistics while waiting to hear back from my dr. and midwife. I read that the TENS unit can be used during pregnancy and labor up to 250 volt...however, my husband just told me that it is not the voltage that matters it is the amps and this was about 30.

I have read that other moms have had a shock from the hair dryer or small appliances during pregnancy and their babies were okay, however, I do not know how those shocks compare to the one I got.

The dr. said that as long as the baby is moving it should be okay, however I read that spontaneous abortion or death after birth has been attributed to electrical shocks during pregnancy.

I am home with my 23 month old and I just want to cry. And she is super needy and I just am having a hard time entertaining her...trying not to explode when she keeps throwing things around. I just wish I knew for sure this baby is going to be okay.

Thank you
Morgan

[mangosink0]

Can you go in and get them to monitor the baby for a while? Even to the ER. I'm sure it's probably not necessary, but I'd do it if it would put you at ease.

Hugs.

[MaerynPearl]

Originally Posted by MrsGooGil

I was reading online

Stop!

Google is not your friend when you are worried about something! You will get all sorts of horror stories, some not even true and most having nothing to do with what they think it is

[corrio]

I was changeing a plug socket at 30 weeks and was shocked.. We were renovating our house and I wanted it done before the baby came.. I admit it did scare me and I didnt do anymore.. Me and the baby survived with no problems..