MRI scans and pregnancy

[mummybloss]

I've been recommended an MRI scan which has been booked in very quickly today for tomorrow. Given that I am not using contraception, when the doc asked if I was pregnant, I basically said I'd do a test just to make sure.

Have just done the (cheapo) test expecting it to be negative. I got a weird wavy line where the pregnant straight line should be. Am obviously going to repeat as soon as physically possible, but just wanted to know what the situation would be with my scan. Need my other problem to be checked out!!

i am no doctor, but am responding to your thread as noone else has.
From what i know, MRI scans would damage an unborn foetus.
If you are pregnant at this stage, you do not have a foetus, just some dividing cells which may or may not implant. It sounds like you are extremely early in pregnancy if you are indeed pregnant.
I am thinking you are prefectly fine to have this scan now, though do mention your suspicions to the sonographer!
A wavy line to me does not sound like a pregnant line, it should be straight and very obvious. It sounds like an evaporation line to me.
Good luck with your scan/condition etc
And perhaps best to choose a method of contraception if you are not planning to have children right now!

Thanks for your advice. I'm not using contraception because it's previously been very difficult for me to conceive - so we're taking a 'wait and see' approach and it would be good news if and when it happens! I would prefer to sort out my other condition first and the scan should do the trick!

I had an MRI scan at 32 weeks pregnant (4.5 years ago) and apart from some very strong kicks during the scan I had no problems. DD was fine. I think CAT scans are dangerous during pregnancy but I was assured that MRIs were fine otherwise I'd have refused to have one until after the birth.

I had an MRI scan before I realised I was pregnant, I was in the scanner for about 30 mins, everything was fine.

MRI scans work on magnets, not radiation like CTs and x-rays, so I wouldn't be as worried. Obviously mention it though and get adive.

It is recommended that MRI is not done in the first trimester as although there is no strong evidence that it does any harm, this is the time when anything that might happen, could iyswim (as this is the time that all the cell organisation happens)

The radiographers will do a pregnancy test before your scan as you might be pg

Thanks all. Am going to take another test myself tonight and see what happens...