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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Chest X-ray - risks if pregnant

20 replies

MuckyAnthea · 22/09/2006 15:23

I posted on another thread called 'could I be pregnant'.

My real concern about whether I am pregnant or not comes down to the fact I am presently living in Asia, where 1) pregnancy tests are hard to find, hence my original query on advice for symptons, and 2) I am presently going through a visa application to move to another country which requires a chest x-ray to prove whether or not I have TB.

I need to know the risks of having this x-ray - should I be pregnant. I am due for an immigration health check/xray next week. The doctors I go to in the country I live in now, have a standard practice where they use a lead apron to cover your stomach and lower regions, they use this precaution whether you are pregnant or not. But I need to know if using this apron really is safe or not to an unborn baby. I would rather not alert the doctors to my fears of pregnancy at the time of the visa health check/x-ray, as this will hinder the visa process and delay our move.

As such, does anyone in the medical field, have any knowledge of the affects of an xray [using a lead apron] and its risks and what it would have on an unborn baby?

Many thanks in advance for any information you can give me.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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TheBlonde · 22/09/2006 15:29

According to NHS direct

Women who are, or are likely to be pregnant, should not have an x-ray, especially in the first three months when the foetus is growing rapidly. There is a small risk of causing harm to the unborn baby, depending on the type of x-ray, the level of dosage and the part of the body being x-rayed (i.e. pelvis or abdomen).

You will be asked for the date of your last period before you have an x-ray; this is to check that there is no chance you could be pregnant. If possible, you should postpone the x-ray until after your baby is born. But if you do have an x-ray and later discover you are pregnant, the risks are not high enough to have to terminate the pregnancy

TheBlonde · 22/09/2006 15:30

Can you delay it til you find out if you are pg?

Familytree · 22/09/2006 15:31

I don't want to frighten you but felt I must add to this. I found out I was pregnant (It was a total surprise) and the two weeks previously I'd had two X rays and then went on to miscarry. I can never know for sure but I feel certain it had something to do with the X rays.

Familytree · 22/09/2006 15:32

Can anyone send you some tests? Order online?

Original poster

MuckyAnthea · 22/09/2006 15:34

TheBlonde, thanks for your response. This is what I am afraid of. Obviously I really do not want to take the risk, so I will see what happens by next Monday. The NHS info you have written does not mention using the lead apron, so I am guessing it relates to NOT using one. Which website did you get this information from?

Thanks again.

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Spidermama · 22/09/2006 15:36

Familytree, exactly the same thing happened to me. I discovered I was pregnant, to my amazement, about a week after having had a chest x-ray. I miscarried two or three weeks later. Like you I'll never really know what caused me to miscarry but I did have my suspicions.

It's a bad idea to expose yourself to radiation when cells are dividing so rapidly.

Sorry if this is what you don't want to hear, but I thought I'd better be honest.

TheBlonde · 22/09/2006 15:36

link here: this

I would expect them to use a lead apron anyway
In my limited experience they will avoid xraying you when pg unless you have a suspected broken bone/it's serious etc

Where are you trying to move to? The US?

Spidermama · 22/09/2006 15:37

I bought pg tests on ebay.

pamina3 · 22/09/2006 15:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

MuckyAnthea · 22/09/2006 15:41

Familytree, I have not mentioned this to anyone, I am not 'that' close to my family, having lived away for so long, you kind of get used to just getting on with things, coping with problems by yourself. But this problem has really made me feel very alone, hence me reaching via the internet, reading about and asking other women about their pregnancy symptons etc, there really is no-one else I can talk to. I could order a test online, but I have problems with customs and receiving certain things via the post.

I shall go on a pregnancy test hunt next week though, I have in mind one chemist that could have them in stock, its reading the non english instructions that could also be a problem!

Thanks for your help.

OP posts:

Original poster

MuckyAnthea · 22/09/2006 15:49

Spidermama, sorry to hear about your sad news &
Pamina3, this really hits home the reality of what is happening to me. I was going to try and pretend this was not happening, kind of go into denial, have the xrays/health check and pretend all was well. But its not the case, and I need to face up to this situation. Reading everything all you have taken the time to write, has made it clear I need to sort this out, delay the medicals and buy a test. It sounds so obvious doesn't it, but honestly this week has been so stressful and the lack of sleep through worry, its been hard to think straight.

OP posts:

Spidermama · 22/09/2006 15:51

Good luck Mucky.
I hope you manage to get some more sleep and that things ease up for you soon.

pamina3 · 22/09/2006 15:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kelly1978 · 22/09/2006 15:57

good luck with the test.
I actually had to have extensive xrays while pg with my dts. I had a collapsed lung due to the pressure of dt2's head. They said that they wouldn't have done them in early pg because of risks, but the risk to the babies in later pg was less than the risk to all three of us by not having the xray (they were originally checking for blood clots). I had to have a bit lead apron thingy over my bump too. I def wouldn't recomend it in early pg.

Original poster

MuckyAnthea · 22/09/2006 16:00

spidermama, thanks : )

OP posts:

Original poster

MuckyAnthea · 22/09/2006 16:02

pamina3 & kelly1978, thanks for your kind words. I will keep you updated.

OP posts:

TambaTheDragonSlayer · 22/09/2006 16:04

I had a chest x-ray when I was pregnant with DS1 (although I didnt know at the time) I had plurasy or something. The hospital said they would do a test but they didnt have any left and decided that because there was only a slight chance of pregnancy they would go ahead with the x-ray as the risk to my lungs was more than the risk to a possible pregnancy or something.

Original poster

MuckyAnthea · 23/09/2006 08:17

ok everyone - just wanted to update you.
I came on my period, about 15 minutes ago, and dropped to the floor with relief and shouted 'yes, there is a god'.

I am so relieved it is untrue, as I have spent all morning researching the effects of x-rays, and debating whether to go through with the xrays, and the take the risk if only for the chance of a better future for my baby.

What I have learnt from all this, is that you all fantastic people responding to my help. I was convinced I was pregnant, and you helped me through the last few days. Many many thanks, I hope one day I can return this help to you : )

OP posts:

Spidermama · 23/09/2006 10:55

I'm really happy for you Mucky. What a releif!

Kelly1978 · 23/09/2006 13:10

wonderful, I'm glad you got the result you wanted. Thanks for updating us.

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