Had an x-ray without apron

[westerngirl]

Hi, i had a chest x-ray last monday. The thing is i was not provided with a lead apron for around my waist. I'm quite worried about this as I am hoping to conceive. I know the beam was not directed at my ovaries or pelvis region (i hope) but am worried about scatter or background. Does anybody know anything about this. When I get dental x-rays i am always provided with a lead apron.

Well, I had a chest x-ray following a molar pregnancy in 2008; also no apron. Conceived ds the following year, after just 2 months of trying and he's in great shape. Not statistical, I know, but hopefully some comfort. Scatter will have been quite low, I expect - targeting is quite carefully done, and isn't background radiation everywhere anyway?

Actually, it's not considered good practice to use lead aprons for dental xrays, let alone chest x-rays. The xray unit should be collimated to only expose the part of you that needs to be imaged, and any scatter will be internal, so not prevented by an apron.

No need to worry at all

Ooh, great word. I learned a thing!

Thank you for responding. I was beginning to feel quite doomed.

Sorry, should have checked again for techicalities . You'll notice when they take an xray that they first shine a light through the machine - then they adjust lead jaws inside the head so that the light only covers exactly what they need it to (in dental theres a cone that does this) - then when the xray is turned on, the radiation will be just in the part defined by those jaws.

You'd be amazed how much radiation you need to have been exposed to, when actually pregnant, before it causes a real risk to the baby - I used to do calculations of it for ladies who were having to have radiotherapy when pregnant, or who hadn't known they were pg when on treatment

Are you a medical physicist, CMOT? My old flatmate was, in oncology. I thought it was such a cool job.

And carry on with the technicalities! That's what google's for, innit?

I probably know them Habbibu I love my job - geeky and medical at the same time.

One chest x-ray is equivelent to 10 days of natural background radiation.
As CMOT said 'Don't worry'.

DH was x-rayed in the womb as they thought he might be twins.

I was x rayed in my mum's womb as they were worried about my size.

They wouldn't give you an x-ray unless you needed to have one. We don't use lead anymore as it's not deemed as necessary for most exposures. All exposures are minimised, there would be a small amount of scatter though but this is minimal.

Don't google, it always gives the worst case scenario and scares people shitless.

Hey I know this is an old thread but lady radiator could you please tell me how many times precisely do you remember having dental xrays? Were they digital. Pleae help me.

Pinay, did you post about this earlier? There was some good advice on a thread not so long ago, maybe you should search for it? This thread is ancient.