Getting an x-ray when pregnant?

[MrsCLH]

Hi ladies, not sure what to do...

About 3 weeks ago I dropped a drawer front on my foot - this is what you get for (a) doing DIY in bare feet and (b) cutting corners by trying to stick the drawer fronts on with 'no more nails' rather than screwing them on properly!

Anyway, there was a bit of a bruise and it hurt a bit for a few days but nothing much. However, the last couple of days it is killing me! I have a ten minute walk into work and I'm having to take it very very slowly. Then I spend maybe an hour sat at my desk and the next time I get up I can hardly put any weight on it!

The thing is, where do you even go with this problem? Doctor? A&E? And even then can I get an x-ray when I'm pregnant or would they consider it not worth the risk? I know this is such a small thing but at 21 weeks pregnant everything is overwhelming at the moment!! I just want it to go away so I don't have to mess about getting it looked at :-(

What would you do?

I would go to A&E, doctor would send you for an x-ray anyway. Think x-rays are Ok when pregnant if on a very specific area e.g. foot and you can wear a lead apron over your tummy to protect the baby.

What about calling NHS direct?

Maybe go to your GP to start with.

Even if they found a broken bone in your foot, chances are it won't get much more treatment than a bit of strapping, so I suspect that they would prefer not to give you an X-ray if they can help it.

GP or A&E would be fine. If you don't mind the wait in A&E then should there be a broken bone that needed immobilisation etc they can sort it out for you there and arrange your follow up with fracture clinic as well. X-raying a foot in pregnancy should be fine. The beam is targeted to the foot and a lead apron will protect baby from any scatter radiation remaining.

Thanks guys, I think I knew all this really, just trying to avoid the inevitable trip and wait in A&E or doctor's surgery and the time off work this will no doubt mean I have to have. Everything feels like such a massive effort at the moment! Okay, enough moaning from me :)

I found out at the weekend that I'm pregnant but had already had an X ray on my lower back last week. Can't help but be really worried now that it's done some damage!

As someone pointed out, x-rays on a foot are safe with right precautions, however, there is not much that can be done on a foot. I had the same happened to me in August, dropped something really heavy on the foot, nothing for a few days then a lot of pain and swelling. Was probably an internal bruise and tissue swelling. Went down only after 6 weeks or so, could not wear any of my shoes, had to find extra wide trainers that would accommodate the foot.

I would keep the foot up and use plenty of arnica to help the bruising disappear.

I fell down the stairs last week at 24told wks and went to a&e as i thought i had broke 3 toes. was told they do not x ray anyone who is pregnant but they strapped my foot up n gave meanti biotics incase i got an infection as i had a big cut on my foot. i would recommend a&e but tell them when u get there youre pregnant and they rush you through