Is It Safe To Get An X-Ray Done While You Are Pregnant?

While you are pregnant, one of your biggest concerns is to always make sure that whatever you do is safe and doesn’t affect your unborn baby. Whether it is a specific medicine you have to take, or an infection that seems to trouble you, or even an x-ray that you may be required to take, you want to ensure that it is safe for your baby.

If your doctor recommends a specific x-ray session or if you have any queries about it, read our post below and learn whether or not it is safe to have an x-ray while pregnant.

What Is An X-Ray?

An X-ray is a process that uses radiation to create images from within your body that can help your doctor diagnose and assess an internal condition. It is a painless procedure that a team of specialists or radiographers perform. In some cases, other health care professionals, like dentists may perform an x-ray as well.

The amount of radiation that an x-ray has is measured in rads, which is a unit that tells you how much radiation your body will absorb at the time of the x-ray. It has been proven that it is highly dangerous to expose an unborn baby to any radiation that is more than ten rads. The same can have an extremely negative impact on the unborn baby’s overall health and development, including problems of the eyes as well as learning disabilities. Most x-rays are extremely mild, and it is extremely rare for an x-ray to have a rad count of more than five (1).

How Much Exposure To Radiation Levels Will An Unborn Baby Get From An X-Ray While Pregnant?

Here is a quick look at the various levels of radiation levels that an unborn baby can be exposed to through x-ray done during pregnancy. However, it is not typical that your doctor will suggest you go for the below mentioned x-rays or procedures, unless absolutely necessary, so do not worry:

• In the case of dental x-rays, the amount of radiation that may reach the unborn baby is only about 0.01 millirad.

• In the case of a chest X-ray, the amount of radiation that may reach the unborn baby will be about 60 millirads.

• For an abdominal x ray during pregnancy, the amount of radiation that may reach the unborn baby will be about 290 millirads.

• A computerized tomographic scan, also known as a CT scan, will have a much higher amount of radiation, 800 millirads, that may reach the unborn baby.

Is It Safe To Get An X-Ray Done While You Pregnant?

While you are pregnant, there are many situations when your doctor might ask you to go in for an x-ray examination. In most cases, having an x ray when pregnant is not considered unsafe for your unborn baby, depending on what part of the body you have to get screened during the x-ray. Here are a few things that you should remember about having an x-ray during pregnancy and whether or not it will harm your unborn baby:

• It is possible that your doctor will ask you to do an x-ray of areas such as your legs, arms, head, chest, or even teeth. In that case, as the x-ray will not be directly affecting any of your reproductive organs, it will not expose your unborn baby to any side effects. Also, you can ask your doctor to give you certain protective gear that can help to block any effects of the x-ray to your reproductive organs or your unborn baby, even if it is being done on other parts. In some cases, your doctor will provide you with a leaded apron and a collar that will help to block out any radiation that may scatter out towards your reproductive organs, and as a result, towards your unborn baby.

• One of the main parts of your body that you should not expose any x-ray to is your abdomen area. An x-ray uses radiation to pass through your body to create the images of your internal organs. When your abdomen area gets exposed to a high dose of radiation that happens as a result of the x-ray, it can lead to a lot of sudden changes in your body. One of the main side effects that can happen in such a situation is that it can cause a lot of sudden changes in the way your unborn baby’s cells are developing at that stage. Such changes in your unborn baby’s cells can create a lot of developmental and health issues. The unborn baby may be at a high risk of having various birth defects or certain types of cancers, including leukemia, at later years in life.

• Another thing that you should be aware of is that when you get an x-ray did in your pelvic area or your abdomen that is a diagnostic X-ray, the amount of radiation associated with the same will be marginally lesser. In such a situation, the risk associated with getting an x-ray done while you are pregnant will not be so high. If you already went through a diagnostic x-ray before realizing that you are pregnant, do not worry about it as there are supposed to be no side effects or harmful reactions to your unborn baby.

• The kind of side effects the x-ray may or may not have on your unborn baby will also depend on what type of x-ray you are getting done. While some X-rays have a very high amount of radiation involved, there are others that do not have too much radiation and will not cause any harmful effects to your unborn baby. A dental x-ray is one such x-ray that will not have too much radiation involved and will not be harmful to your unborn baby. On the other hand, an out and out abdominal x-ray will pose a much higher risk for your unborn baby, as it will have a lot of radiation involved. Other parts of the body that require x-rays that come with a lot of exposure to radiation are the kidneys, the lower back, as well as the stomach and pelvis (2).

Study To Look At The Effects Of Diagnostic X-Rays On The Unborn Baby:

To understand the effect of diagnostic x-rays on the unborn baby here is a look at a study that was conducted to check the risks and reality of the same during the pregnancy months.

Researchers estimated the dose of radiation that an unborn baby can receive from various sources. In the case of a diagnostic x-ray, it was found that the unborn baby would receive a radiation dose that would be less than one mGy in case the imaging is done beyond the abdomen or the pelvic region. The researchers gave their conclusion for a diagnostic x-ray that is done during pregnancy, and that does not involve any direct high dosage exposure to the abdomen or pelvic area. In such a case, there are no significant health issues or side effects that can be noted in the unborn baby (3).

Should You Wait To Get Your X-Ray Done After Your Baby Is Born Or Go Ahead With It?

• If you have any medical and health related condition while you are pregnant, your doctor will first do a physical examination and refer you to other types of medical tests to understand your condition better. Your doctor will initially always try to reduce your exposure to an x-ray procedure, no matter how minimal the risk involved may be.

• However, in some cases, it is possible that you are suffering from a condition that can only be assessed properly once an x-ray test is performed. Also, it is not correct to give a course of treatment without really understanding the problem. In some cases, it may be alright to postpone your treatment till after you have given birth to your baby.

• However, do remember that there are also instances where the medical condition that you are suffering from may in itself pose a risk to your unborn baby, and going for an x-ray checkup is a more preferred solution. Your doctor will always first weigh the risks of giving you the right treatment, which may also involve the x-ray test, while you are pregnant, as opposed to holding on the treatment till after you have given birth to your baby.

• In some cases, your doctor may also suggest that instead of going for a regular x-ray examination, you go for an ultrasound scanning test instead.

Should You Go Ahead And Get A Dental X-Ray If It Is Needed While You Are Pregnant?

While there is hardly any radiation that will reach your unborn baby through a dental x-ray, it is important that you first mention about your pregnancy status to your dentist. In most of the cases, your dentist will ask you to wait until after you have had your baby, and only then go for a dental x-ray.

What Are The Various Risks Of Having An X Ray Exposure In Pregnancy?

• Your doctor is the best person who can tell you whether or not you are required to go ahead with an x-ray while you are pregnant or if you can easily wait to get it done till after you have had your baby. It is true that getting an x-ray done will not lead to or increase your risk for serious pregnancy complications such as a miscarriage, or cause any other problem with your unborn baby. There is also not enough medical research or proof to show that going for an x-ray while you are pregnant will lead to any birth defects in the unborn baby, such as difficulty with mental development or physical growth.

• However, it is also true that repeated exposure to radiation through x-ray while you are pregnant can cause significant damage to the unborn baby. Here are a few points you should keep in mind before going for that x-ray while you are pregnant.

• When you go for repeated x-ray exams during your pregnancy, you expose your unborn baby to a very high level of radiation due to repeat tests. It can cause a significant amount of damage to your unborn baby’s body cells. As a result, your unborn baby can be at a higher risk of getting affected by cancer at some stage of life. To reduce the risk of any damage being caused to the unborn baby, the medical team will always try to keep the amount of radiation from the x-ray to as low as is possible.

• When you get an x ray in pregnancy, as a one-off case, the chances of your unborn baby getting a higher risk of cancer is very low. The risk, even though it is there, is very low.

• The typical risk of cancer that is caused in children due to reasons other than exposure to radiation during the time of pregnancy is about 1 in 500.

• In some cases of dental x-rays, the x-ray may be required to be taken in such a way that the beam of the radiation will directly fall on the pelvic area or very near it. In such a case, your dentist will suggest you wait to get the x-ray done till after you have delivered your baby. In case it is an urgent situation, and your dentist feels that you should not wait to have the x-ray done, you will have to wear a lead apron that will cover your tummy and abdomen and pelvic area while the x-ray is being done.

What If You Had An X-Ray Without Knowing That You Are Pregnant?

Sometimes, it is possible that you got an x-ray done at a time when you were still not aware that you are pregnant. Of course, it can make you feel extremely worried about what the effects of the x-ray might be on your unborn baby, especially as the first trimester is considered crucial. Now that you have had your x-ray done do not panic and start worrying about it. Remember the following points and also remember the fact that unnecessary worry and stress can also lead to adverse effects on your unborn baby:

• Most of the X-rays that are done have a very small dose of radiation, and the chances that it may have affected your unborn baby are almost minimal.

• In very rare and minimal cases, it can happen that the amount of radiation from the x-ray may have been very high, especially if it is a very serious condition for which the x-ray was done in the first place. If this is the situation, there are chances that the unborn baby may have some or the other health effect from the same.

• To understand the amount of radiation that your unborn baby may have received and the possible effects of the same, it is best to have a word with your doctor about it. Your doctor will be able to guide you about how you can proceed further with your treatment and your pregnancy.

How Can You Make Sure That You Will Minimize The Risk From X-Ray To Your Unborn Baby?

Here are a few things you should keep in mind and discuss with your health care provider before you get an X-ray done while you are pregnant:

1. Tell Your Doctor About Your Pregnancy Status, Whether Confirmed, Trying Or Unsure:

Make sure that you always inform your doctor about the status of your pregnancy. If you are already pregnant and are sure about it, do inform your doctor about the same. If you are trying for a baby and are not pregnant yet, make sure you tell your doctor about it too. If you are not trying for a baby but are not sure if you are pregnant or not, make sure you discuss the same with your doctor as well. It is also very important to take the proper precautions even as early in your first few days or weeks of pregnancy. So make sure you give all the right information to your doctor about the status of your pregnancy.

2. Make Sure You Pay Attention To Any Symptoms To See If You Might Be Pregnant:

Sometimes, you may feel that you are suffering from some health condition while in reality you are pregnant, without even realizing so. Some of the most common and earliest signs and symptoms of pregnancy are tenderness or swelling in the breasts, nausea, vomiting at any time of the day and not necessarily in the morning, as well as excessive and unexplained fatigue. Think and try to realize whether or not you may be pregnant. Sometimes, you may be too early in your pregnancy for the result to come out as positive in a home pregnancy test kit. If you think you have experienced any of the signs and symptoms mentioned above that also correspond with pregnancy, tell your doctor about it. Your doctor may first send you for a proper pregnancy test to see if you are pregnant or not.

3. Do Not Make Your Child Sit On Your Lap For Your Child’s X-Ray:

Sometimes, if you already have a child and are pregnant too, it is possible that instead of you needing to get an x-ray done, it is your child who needs it. While your child may be too young to sit alone for an x-ray, make sure you avoid making your child sit on your lap while the x-ray is being done. It is also possible that you are not yet pregnant, but it is still advisable that you avoid making your child sit on your lap while your child is getting an x-ray taken. The most common reason to do so is to avoid any chance of an accidental radiation effect on your reproductive organs, which could lead to birth defects and medical complications in your later pregnancy. Ask the medical team to provide you with a lead apron so that you can keep your reproductive organs protected if you have to be near your child during the x-ray.

4. Always Inform Your Doctor If You Recently Had Any X-Rays Done:

Sometimes, your doctor may not be aware that you had an x-ray done already and may end up asking you to go for another that will be more like a repeat x-ray. While this may not be such a health issue on its own, going for repeat x-rays while you are pregnant is not something you should be doing. If you have had any x-rays done over the past year or so, make sure you keep your doctor informed about all of it. Your doctor will look through your records and will suggest whether the same x-ray results will suffice or whether you do need to go for a fresh one. To make sure that you are aware of all the x-rays that you have had done, maintain a record and share it with your doctor at the next visit.

5. Ask And Understand Why You Need An X-Ray:

It is of course that you are very comfortable with the idea of getting an x ray while pregnant, but your doctor has still asked you to go ahead and get it done. Instead of continuing to worry about it and adding to your stress, ask your doctor why you need an x-ray. As your doctor will always weigh the pros and cons of asking you for an x-ray checkup instead of holding on the treatment till after your baby is born, you will always get a clear picture when you ask for the reason. Once you know why your doctor is saying the same, you will worry less and will be in a better position to go ahead with whatever decision you both take.

It is understandable that going for an x-ray is not something that you want to do while you are pregnant, but sometimes it may be the only option. In the case, make sure you speak to the doctor to understand all the pros and cons.

Moms, did you have an x-ray done while you were pregnant or did your doctor ask you to put it on hold till after your baby was born? Do share your experience here so that other pregnant women will also be at ease.

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