Pregnancy Q and A Forum - Please Advise


Please Advise

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Neelima_e

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Please Advise Posted: 05-23-07 10:55am


I had a chest x-ray without knowing that I was pregnant. It happened 4weeks from my last menstral period(I took my x-ray on this day). I am worried if this would effect my baby in any way, now or later in life. Is terminating the pregnancy the best option. I spoke to my gyn/obg just now and they feel one x-ray may not be of concern and should not be a basis for a termination. but i read some posts saying that the x-rays deform the fetus beyond recognition. I would like to know if the effct is same even if it was just one x-ray. I also had another concern if I opt for a termination , will I have any complications if my future pregnencies. Please help. Your own experiences or ur friend's experiences might be a good help for me to deciede. Last edited by Neelima_e on 05-23-07 17:53pm; edited 1 time in total

mc4ever02

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Posted: 05-23-07 10:58am


Congratulations! While it is not suggested to have exrays during pregnancy. I don't believe it is cause for termination. What area of your body was the exray preformed on?

hopefulmjz

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Posted: 05-23-07 11:01am

mc4ever02 wrote:

What area of your body was the exray preformed on?

Chest x-ray dear. Wink

I agree with .christy, I don't think an x-ray is grounds for termination. Especially since you are so early in the pregnancy.
Congrats.

mc4ever02

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Posted: 05-23-07 11:03am

hopefulmjz wrote:

mc4ever02 wrote:

What area of your body was the exray preformed on?

Chest x-ray dear. Wink

I agree with .christy, I don't think an x-ray is grounds for termination. Especially since you are so early in the pregnancy.
Congrats.

I blame it on my birthday. Embarassed

Did they not put a heavy sheet looking thing (again, I pleed the bday defense for stupidity) on your stomach?

sillyakchick

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Posted: 05-23-07 11:03am


Did they have you wear a lead apron across your abdomen? They usually do. I honestly wouldn't worry too much about that. My mom was an xray tech and we all turned out OK (except my brother, but I don't think his attitude problems have anything to do with Xrays! LOL) If you are still worried, adress it with your MD or midwife when you see them. Where are you in CO? I am north of Denver.

hopefulmjz

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Posted: 05-23-07 11:09am

mc4ever02 wrote:

I blame it on my birthday. Embarassed

No worries!! You're allowed have brain farts around your birthday! Especially the 21st!

*edited for mistakes Laughing

Last edited by hopefulmjz on 05-23-07 11:13am; edited 1 time in total

mc4ever02

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Posted: 05-23-07 11:10am

sillyakchick wrote:

Did they have you wear a lead apron across your abdomen?

Thats what I was going for...

Emma2

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Posted: 05-23-07 11:11am


im sorry girls but that is false info...having any type of xray while pregnant is really dangerous and most times they tell you to abort. Even if you wore the lead protection. you need to call your dr asap and tell him what has happened.

mc4ever02

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Posted: 05-23-07 11:16am

Emma2 wrote:

im sorry girls but that is false info...having any type of xray while pregnant is really dangerous and most times they tell you to abort. Even if you wore the lead protection. you need to call your dr asap and tell him what has happened.

I didn't know that. I agree that you should call you doctor.

Emma2

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Posted: 05-23-07 11:19am

mc4ever02 wrote:

Emma2 wrote:

I didn't know that. I agree that you should call you doctor.

i had a friend who took an xray and was pretty forced to abort ....its the reason they ask you before hand...if you are pregnant they wont do it. When my son was sick he had to take an xray and i had to simply hold him down and they asked me twice if i was pregnant .

CaNdItAs CrAzY LaNd

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Posted: 05-23-07 11:23am


i wouldnt stress out to much hun just call your ob and discuss it with them and see if everything is ok let us know how it goes hun ill say an extra prayer for you.

sillyakchick

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Posted: 05-23-07 11:29am

Emma2 wrote:

I really must refute this information. Here are a couple of reputable sources of info:

This is from the American Pregnancy Association:

You may have heard that getting an x-ray during pregnancy can harm your baby. This can be true, but in some cases not getting an x-ray can harm you more than it can harm your baby. Remember, a healthy mom means a healthy baby.

Is it safe to receive x-rays during pregnancy?
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, x-rays are generally safe during pregnancy, but there is quite a bit of controversy surrounding this issue. Studies have been conflicting, and therefore x-rays should only be done when the benefits outweigh the risks. X-rays can give your health care provider important and even life saving information about numerous medical conditions. Like many things, x-rays can have risks as well as benefits.

Are all x-rays safe?
Not all x-rays are the same, but most pose little exposure to the uterus and developing fetus. With dental x-rays there is hardly any exposure to any part of the body except the teeth.

X-ray examinations on the arms, legs, or chest do not expose your reproductive organs to the direct beam. However, x-rays of the torso, such as the abdomen, stomach, pelvis, lower back and kidneys, have a greater chance of exposure to the uterus.

It is always important that you let the healthcare provider know that you are pregnant if you might need an x-ray.

What are the chances that my baby will have an adverse effect if I had x-rays during pregnancy?
According to the American College of Radiology, no single diagnostic x-ray has a radiation dose significant enough to cause adverse effects in a developing embryo or fetus. Some common diagnostic procedures include dental, chest, CT scan (head/chest), and abdominal view.

**Always let your health care provider know that you are pregnant.

The link below is from the american college of radiology

It discusses what one should do if you have had an X-ray and then found out you are pregnant:

hps.org/documents/pregnancyfactsheet.pdf

I hope tis helps to assuage your fears. No physician can force you to abort. I seriously doubt that the radiation from a single chest x-ray is going to be significant to have any negative effects on your little one. As I stated, my mother had three "normal" children after working 40 hours per week in front of an x-ray machine for each pregnancy. I myself had to have a foot x-ray while I was pregnant with my 2nd child, and I accidentally got a dental x-ray when I was pregnant with my 1st before I knew it. Neither of them had any mutations caused by ratogens.

CaNdItAs CrAzY LaNd

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Posted: 05-23-07 11:31am


amen on that so dont worry to much and again discuss with your obgyn

AyaMiyaki

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Posted: 05-23-07 11:33am


I'm thinking this should be moved to pregnancy or pregnancy q&a

Emma2

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Posted: 05-23-07 12:06pm

sillyakchick wrote:

Emma2 wrote:

sorry i will keep my opinion on this due to the many reputable drs and experirnces ive came across. espceially in her 1st month the cells can be destroyed beyond recognition of it being an actual person. you can doubt whatever u want but its too much of a risk.

sillyakchick

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Posted: 05-23-07 12:32pm


I don't think that personal experience should be used in leiu of actual research. The point is, she already had the x-ray. She is not asking of she should go have one now. Obviously, one should avoid this if possible, especially within the first trimester, but she already had it done and she is considering termination. It would be a shame to see tht happen without knowing facts, research, and statistics. To the original poster-I am sorry this has become a debate. please take what you learn here with an ounce of skepticism and do some research yourself. If you are really worried, you can always request an ultrasound be done to check for problems with development at a later date. I wish you the best of luck (and I think you will be fine if the rad and your doctor have reassured you). Enjoy this wonderful experience! Last edited by sillyakchick on 05-23-07 14:13pm; edited 1 time in total

Emma2

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Posted: 05-23-07 13:45pm

CaNdItAs CrAzY LaNd

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Posted: 05-23-07 14:07pm


yeah but you have to realize everyones bodies and dr are diff. my mom had a x ray when she was preg with me and im fine and i had one and my child is ok. diff times diff eras so it doesnt matter about who is right or wrong on this the most important thing is for her to see a dr asap and decide3 what is right for her ok end of arguments please.

mamaTT

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Posted: 05-23-07 14:09pm


When I found out I was pregnant, I also had a broken finger. The doctor did not want to do an x-ray at that point, because I was only 4.5 weeks pregnant. He splinted my finger and told me if it wasn't better in a week to come back and they would x-ray it then. He told me that as long as they put the lead apron across you, then you .S.H.O.U.L.D be just fine; but he did not feel comfortable sending me for one. I would just check with your doctor and see what he/she has to say. Every doctor is different and the topic of x-rays during pregnancy is still a very controversial one. Good luck to you.

Corplady29

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Posted: 08-15-07 21:51pm

sillyakchick wrote:

Did they have you wear a lead apron across your abdomen? They usually do. I honestly wouldn't worry too much about that. My mom was an xray tech and we all turned out OK (except my brother, but I don't think his attitude problems have anything to do with Xrays! LOL) If you are still worried, adress it with your MD or midwife when you see them.

Where are you in CO? I am north of Denver.

I've had numerous x-rays in my lifetime (I have rough brothers) and they always covered my abdomen with lead aprons. I always assumed that was standard protocol. I broke a tooth in an accident last month and had no choice but to get x-rays. I told the dentist to give me extra lead aprons. In fact, I demanded to be covered with every apron they had in the office. I have read all kinds of studies stating how harmful x-rays can be. I plan on having extra ultrasounds just to make sure that the baby is alright. Do I sound paranoid?