Is It Safe To Get An X-ray While I’m Pregnant?
Most women wouldn’t need an x-ray during pregnancy. But then, circumstances may differ and one may need to go for an x-ray for the health of the mother as well as the fetus. The major concern here is regarding the exposure of the child to radiation of the x-ray machines.
What Is The Risk?
Generally it is advised that the developing fetus should not be exposed to any kind of radiation. Radiations may not cause miscarriages or developmental defects but they have a tendency of damaging the cells of the unborn baby thereby leading to cancer, especially leukemia or blood cancer. Hence most mothers are apprehensive about x-rays during pregnancy.
Is It Safe?
It is to be kept in mind that in order to do the kind of damage mentioned above, the radiation should have a high intensity, at least above 10 rads. But most x-rays do not cross the threshold of 5 rads. Like for example, dental x-rays may expose the fetus to only 0.1 rads. The most important fact is that, these x-rays i.e. dental, feet or hands may not affect the baby at as it does not aim at the abdomen region. The chances of a developing fetus to get cancer from such radiations are about 1 in a 10000. But, if there is repeated exposure to radiation from x-rays, which in some way diverts and reaches the abdomen and pelvis, the chances of cancer becomes more, like 1 in a 1000. Though the odds are unlikely, most mothers won’t like to take a chance.
Safety Measures:
X-rays during pregnancy are not harmful provided it is within the prescribed limit. Given below are some of the tips for safety of the expectant mother from such radiations.
It is advisable for the expectant mother to avoid any unnecessary x-rays. Even though the odds of harm from such x-rays are very low, still, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Going for unnecessary x-rays during pregnancy may just expose the fetus to radiation indirectly but repeatedly. Thus, it is better to postpone all of that after birth.
In case an x-ray is unavoidable, it is important for the mother to let the technician know that she is pregnant. In such circumstances, they will take all the necessary precautions in order to minimize the exposure of the fetus to radiation. The same goes for women whose pregnancies are not confirmed. Normally x-rays like dental x-rays do not affect the abdomen area. Still, it will be safe to have a shield on the abdomen, say an apron, in order to minimize the risks of accidental radiations.
In case the mother has to work around radiations the whole day, it will be better to let the supervisor know of her condition and eliminate the exposure to radiation as much as possible. One may even discuss the prospect of wearing a kind of film badge that monitors the amount of radiation the mother is exposed too.
As said before, dental, legs and hand x-rays are safe as they do not target the abdominal area. But, under no circumstances should the mother undergo an x-ray of her abdomen because, needless to say, no radiation could be more direct than that.
