Pregnancy is an important time in your life. You need to take good care of yourself and your child. Many crucial points need to be considered when it comes to pregnancy and eating right, eliminating drinks and smoking and taking good care of yourself are some of these. Watching out for diagnostic X-rays and medical radiation procedures are also essential. Understanding the factors that come into play is important. X-ray exposure during pregnancy can have serious issues. Diagnostic x-rays can provide life-saving data about medical conditions. But like any other aspect, x-rays have both positive and negative sides to them.
Diagnostic x-rays should be used only when the doctor indicates this information is required for treatment. Diagnostic X-rays can be needed if your medical condition warrants. The risk carried by X-ray exposure, according to some medical experts, is very less. But even such small risks can prove disastrous in the long run.
How To Lessen The Risk
Reduce the risk of the X-ray by informing that doctor that you might be pregnant. This is more so when the abdominal X-ray is being prescribed. The doctor can then decide whether to cancel the X-ray or modify it to reduce the amount of radiation. Depending on medical needs, the risks may be small but it is the doctor’s call to decide whether the X-ray should be done.
During X-ray examinations, including those of limbs, chest or face, the reproductive organs are shielded from the X-ray beam. So these procedures do not involve any risk to the unborn child. X-rays of the lower torso of the mother such as the abs, stomach, lower back, pelvis or kidneys may expose the child to direct beams. These are a bit difficult to handle.
The Effect of X-Rays: A Matter of Debate
There is a scientific debate about whether lesser amounts of radiation can impact the unborn child or not. The unborn child is sensitive to the impact of certain stimuli such as alcohol, drugs and radiation. Cells divide rapidly and grow into specialised cells and tissues. If radiation causes the modification in the cell division, these could lead to birth defects right away or medical conditions later in life. Numerous birth defects and diseases in children may occur even if mothers are not exposed to radiation and other factors like heredity play a role in these problems.
If you have undergone an X-ray before the possibility of pregnancy is known, don’t fear this. Rare situations in which women receive abdominal x-rays over a brief period of time or radiation treatment of the lower torso was undertaken can be dangerous.
How to Lower the Risks
Telling the physician about the pregnancy is a must. This is true for other medical decisions such as nuclear medicine techniques and drug prescriptions. Women may also mistake symptoms of pregnancy for disease and in case you have these symptoms, even then, telling the doctor is a good idea. Don’t hold a child against the X-ray if you are pregnant and ask for a lead apron to protect your organs– it is better to be safe than sorry. When the X-ray is recommended, tell the doctor about similar X-rays that have taken place earlier and use these records instead of going for a fresh one.
The Final Question is how to lower the risks?
It depends on the type of X-ray you need and the radiation you are being exposed to. The higher the level of radiation, the greater the risk is to the unborn child. X-rays targeting other parts of the body such as dental and chest X-rays are not high enough to cause a radiation problem.
Another factor in the equation is whether one is in an advanced or early stage of pregnancy. Risks from damage by radiation are more during the first trimester. A foetus is at risk for exposure as cells are rapidly dividing and growing. In advanced stages, there are more chances of birth defects and cancers like leukaemia.
Although X-ray risks are low, postponing the X-ray may be needed till after the child is born. If X-rays are critical, doctors will see to it that the radiation is within the right range and the radiographer will know about the pregnancy and shield you. If you are a cancer patient, check with the oncologist during your pregnancy to study the possible complications from radiation. Getting an X-ray during pregnancy, under certain situations, can damage the baby. A healthy mother means a healthy child.
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, X-rays cannot damage the unborn child. But studies have shown otherwise. Health care providers and even numerous medical practitioners may be called to weighthe risks against the rewards.
According to the American Radiology College, single diagnostic X-rays cannot harm your child whether the baby is in embryo or foetus state. Some common diagnostic procedures include head, chest, CT and abs Letting the healthcare provider know about the pregnancy is vital, but so is making a judgement about whether the X-ray can harm your baby. Abdominal X-rays can damage the unborn child depending on the dose of radiation and the stage of pregnancy. X-rays are short radiation bursts passing through the tissue of the body.
Depending on the type of X-ray and tools used, and the person’s size, the dose or level of radiation can vary. In X-rays, the dose of the radiation is measured in milligrays. High or repeated exposure can impact the baby’s physical and mental health. With low dose X-rays below 10 milligray, the increased risk is just 1 in ten thousand. With higher dose of 10 mGy or more, the risk remains below 1 in 1000. With most X-rays, the unborn baby may receive 1 MGY at most. Dental X-rays are not requiring lead aprons and the dose is low leading to very little risk for your unborn child.
The angle of the X-ray can also influence how much damage results. Even if your pregnancy is not confirmed, make sure you tell the health care professional before the X-ray is carried out. This can make a big difference to the safety with which X-rays can be carried out while you are pregnant.
Ultimately, when you are expecting, it is expected you will exercise every caution and this includes X-rays. Make sure you do not gamble with the future. Inform your healthcare professional about the pregnancy so that he/she in turn can make an informed decision regarding the same.