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Radiation exposure and pregnant

9 replies

Tintini · 10/02/2011 19:30

I've just found out that I am (rather unexpectedly) pregnant - absolutely over the moon about it. However I simply can't get out of my head that I might have been exposed to radiation recently.

As part of a work trip last week I visited a cardiac catheterization lab to watch a procedure where they use powerful radiation. We watched for about 1.5 hours. We were in the side 'viewing' room where you can watch through windows, not the actual room where the operation was happening. Only the people who entered the actual operation room wore lead overalls.

It was a top-class hospital and I'm sure the (very eminent) doctor who showed us round wouldn't have put us in danger...but then he didn't know I was pregnant and I can't help being really worried about it. I've spent most of the day on the internet desperately trying to work out what level of radiation I might have been exposed to - but haven't got any clear answer and I'm so worried. All I find is info saying that cardiac labs are the areas with the highest radiation, which is making me panic.

Are there any radiologists/nuclear medicine doctors or nurses/physicists out there who can give me some advice? Many thanks for any help you can give.

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CompleteNoob · 10/02/2011 19:33

I'm sure he would have asked whether anyone was pregnant if it had been an issue. I think as you were in a separate bit you would be fine.

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Poodle82 · 10/02/2011 20:05

The viewing areas (where you stand behind the window) don't let the radiation through. Not sure exactly what materials they are built with but staff do not need to wear the lead aprons when behind them. I've taken patients for similar procedures from the wards where I work as a nurse, and despite being pregnant (33 weeks now) feel safe behind the glass.

Also I wear a radiation monitoring badge every day at work which is checked monthly and it has never come back as having reached an unsafe level.

I'm sure someone else will have more technical information, be able to let you know levels of radiation etc, but try not to worry.

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FlamingGallah · 10/02/2011 20:13

I work in an xray department. As the others have said, the glass viewing area would have protected you completely. There is absolutely no risk to you or your baby.

Please do not worry for a single second more! Oh and congratulations :)

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midnightexpress · 10/02/2011 20:19

Congratulations! If it helps, I had to have an X-ray for a suspected broken bone when I was pg with ds2. He is now a very strapping 4 year-old, though he is liable to turn green and muscly when he's angry . Seriously though, he's absolutely fine.

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Tintini · 10/02/2011 20:27

Thanks very much everyone for responding - feeling reassured now. I know I must sound a bit irrational but I think I worked it over too much in my mind today! Not being able to talk to anyone didn't really help. I'm normally quite a rational person - honest! This first day of knowing I'm pregnant has been a bit full of worry but I will try to relax and enjoy it now.

Thanks again.

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thenightsky · 10/02/2011 20:30

Congratulations!

FWIW I found out I was pregnant the same week Chernobyl blew radioactive dust over my part of the country. I'd been out walking the dog it in and everything.

DD is fine. Her teenage years were a nightmare but that's a whole other story

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AutumnWitch · 10/02/2011 20:33

You should be fine. The combination of distance and the shielding from the wall should be plenty enough to protect you.

There are legal limits to how much radiation visitors to a site can be exposed to, and it's very small.

Anyone involved in radio-medicine should be very well trained in the regulations and if there had been any risk of exposure to a member of the public, you wouldn't have been allowed anywhere near.

The lead overall are there because they work in close proximity to radiation on a daily basis and have to minimise their exposure to stop it accumulating over time.

Definitely stop worrying

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Trodden · 10/02/2011 22:07

Finally, a thread that I can contribute to instead of just lurking. At work I am involved in testing radiological shielding, and the glass that you were stood behind will have been 'leaded' glass - to provide complete effective protection against X-rays and other types of radiation. There is absolutely nothing to worry about.

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Tintini · 10/02/2011 22:43

Wow - didn't expect someone who actually tests the screens to be on here and ready to respond! Thank you. Leaded glass makes a lot of sense - I was thinking back to physics lessons and wondering whether normal glass would be sufficient. I feel much happier now - thanks everyone. Even starting to let myself get excited about being pregnant now!