Estimating specific absorption rates in pregnant women by using models at 12-, 20-, and 26-weeks' gestation for plane wave exposures

The numerical dosimetry of women during pregnancy is an important issue in electromagnetic field safety. We had developed a whole-body numerical pregnant-woman model at 26-weeks' gestation. In this study, we developed pregnant-woman models that included the inherent tissues of pregnant women adjusted to the standard reference values at 12- and 20-weeks' gestation by deforming the existing pregnant-woman model. We also improved the original 26-weeks' pregnant-woman model so that the masses of inherent pregnancy tissues are adjusted to the standard reference values. The anatomical details of the developed pregnant-woman models and basic SAR characteristics for whole-body exposure to RF electromagnetic fields are described.