Radiation Exposure and Possibly Pregnant - Help!

I wouldn't worry at all. I worked in x-ray for a few years. If you wore the lead apron, you are completely safe. The x-ray beam would have to be positioned directly over your uterus without any lead protection for any direct exposure to your baby to occur. There's a thing called scatter radiation that comes off of the patient's body part being x-rayed and goes in different directions at less intensity, but since you wore the apron, your abdomen was completely protected from that as well. You're right... the radiology departments are just extra careful when it comes to pregnant women around the x-ray beam.

If you think about it, there are pregnant x-ray techs that still have to work every single day around the radiation, regardless of whether they are behind the glass wall or holding up a patient. They just wear the lead aprons continuously to keep themselves safe.

Don't sweat it! :)

Well, I'm not a physician, but I did have to have a chest xray while I was 5 months pregnant with my daughter and everything was fine. I had to have it because as it turned out I had pheumonia and was hospitalized for 3 days... That radiologist at the hospital assured me that it would be fine... The stress you are causing yourself is probably more harmful than anything else. LOL. I know it's so hard not to worry about these things.

Hi K.,

I understand each person's situation is different. In my profession people are exposed to xrays quite early on in their pregnancy until they are aware of the pregnancy. No one I know has had any problems as long as they were properly protected. And this is with daily exposure for weeks.

Hope this helps.
V.
Congrats if you are pg!

I can understand your concern and I would be too. I think the first poster had great advice for you. If you continue to be worried about it, you could talk to someone who did the xrays and ask them specific questions about the risk. They may be able to help put your mind at ease. I doubt they would have let you stay in there if it were risky for you and they knew you had a chance of being pregnant, daughter crying or not, so I think you will be fine.

Hi K.
I was a month pregnant and needed an X Ray done on my foot. I had all the aprons on and both of my doctors assured me there were no issues. I really wouldn't worry about it. But if you still are, talk to your doctor.