Any radiographers about?

[Daffyduckface]

I’m a scrub ODP and work in trauma and orthopaedic theatres.
I wear a gown and thyroid protector for most of my day as do xrays for most of the day.
Me and DP are currently TTC and I’m a bit unsure at what point I need to worry.
I’m one of only 4 people in my trust who can (or will) do T&O surgery so I’m in theatre being exposed to X-ray 5 days a week.
I obviously don’t want to let anyone know I’m TTC because I don’t know how long it will take, but I’m worried about those few weeks in between conceiving and getting a positive pregnancy test and whether this could be harmful.
Also people usually wait until 12 weeks I’m guessing if I’m lucky enough to get a BFP I’d have to tell someone straight away?

Thanks for any advice, I can’t ask at work because I know in my department if I do, it will spread like wildfire 😂

Do you have a radiography safety officer for your unit? When I did a placement in cath labs, our safety officer assured me that we could speak to her in confidence if we were pregnant/TTC. I didn't have to put it to the test, but it's not at all unreasonable to ask for confidentiality. It should be second nature to HCPs after all.

I believe x-ray safety is most critical in the early stages of pregnancy, so really no point waiting for an established pregnancy before you speak to anyone. And meantime, just make sure you're doing everything completely by the book with PPE, standing out of the field when they're screening, etc . . .

Best of luck with TTC!

You shouldn't be getting any dose on your monitoring badge at all if correct procedures are in place, but there should be a procedure which documents what happens with pregnant staff. This varies from nothing (historical records showing that you never receive anything might be an indicator that this will be OK until wearing full leads all day will be a strain on your back and you don't fit in them), to not working in the environment from a positive test.
The only times that TTC changes practice is when dealing with non sealed radioactive sources, like those used in nuclear medicine as the risk is bigger.

But your RSA will be able to advise you specifically, and in confidence

I am a radiographer, when I got pregnant my line manager showed me some research done on urologists who are right next to the c-arm during urology surgery. The risk to them is very low and they are much nearer to the x-ray source than you are.
X-ray used during surgery are low dose and concentrated on the patient. Also during very early pregnancy the embryo is deep within you and it would be impossible for it to be exposed through a lead gown. If you can wear a 2 piece lead you could even get 3 layers of lead over the relevant bit
Thyroid collars are to reduce the risk even further.
If you become pregnant you should tell your line manager straight away, this will trigger a risk assement of all aspects of your job. Radiographers are usually rotated off theatre because it's easy to send someone else. If you don't want everyone to know you are pregnant you could say you have a bad back? However angio adiographers would not usually change duties as they are specialised and the risk is very low.

Thank you all. Glad to hear if I am lucky enough to get a BFP I should be fine in the first few weeks.