xray when pregnant

[Lamby80]

Hi all
I am looking for you all to calm my nerves.
I had an xray on my lower back and neck 2 weeks ago and have just found out I am around 6 weeks pregnant. I didn't wear the lead apron as I didn't know! I am now convinced there is going to be something wrong with the baby. The doc has said try to not worry but I can't help it.

A quick look at the info online suggests that the risks are very small, and that most xrays aren't strong enough to cause problems. The link with any risk of damage to the baby is only found above 10 rads, and this article puts a typical abdominal xray at 290 millirads (100,000 millirads in 1 rad, so it's miles off).

To set your mind at rest, can you perhaps request information from the hospital on the strength of the xray? Someone in the xray department might even be able to reassure you about the risks. I'd be calling the hospital rather than your doctor.

Hi Lamby

I know there are small risk associated with Xrays and pregnancy, however I think because it was so early it should all be ok, best thing to do is try and get a scan at your EPU or talk to them about it, or failing that book a private scan, by 7 weeks you should definitely see a heartbeat and that should hopefully put your mind at rest. Pregnancy is a very nerve wrecking and testing time so do what you can to put your mind at ease.

FX for you x

When my mum was pg with me they couldn't decide whether I was twins or not. This was getting on for 50 years ago, so before ultrasound scans. So they X-rayed her tummy to see!! I wasn't twins
As I say nearly 50 years on and I seem to be OK although others may argue differently

Thanks all. I took your advice and called the radiology department. They are going to work out how much exposure the baby would have received. It turns out I had 2 lumbar xrays.
I had a blood test and we think I am about 6-8 weeks along. I will have a scan next week to confirm.

I still feel sick. I'm having very irrational thoughts!
Thanks guys. You have been a great help.
X

Have had 2 X-rays a CT scan and an Mri due to broken foot and torn ligaments. I did wear the apron and was later on in pregnancy than you but each time they reassured me that with the new machines there is very little scatter and less radiation than a flight to Spain. Try not to worry xx

I've had PEs and so have had X-rays, ct scans and other scans involving radiation and I'm now 34 weeks and everything looks fine. I'm sure you'll be ok. My mil had X-rays when pregnant with DH to see if he was breech! He's fine.

You are fine. Baby is fine. You certainly do not need to pay for a scan to check following an x-ray (unless you want one anyway of course!).
I provide advice on this in a professional capacity and it's fine.
Don't worry.
The radiation dose is very low and will not effect your baby.
The Hospital should come back to you with some risk factors but they will be tiny. Please do not worry.

p.s you wouldn't have been able to wear the lead apron anyway as they were doing lumbar spines

My sister had an X-ray and a general anaesthetic when she was pregnant as she had carpal tunnel syndrome but didn't know the was pregnant, she was about 4 weeks gone. The nurse should have checked her wee routinely for pregnancy & didn't before her GA. My nephew is now 4. Hope these stories give you some peace of mind.

Hello. I am feeling a lot better. I spoke to the hospital again who have completely put my mind at rest. And I am just over 7 weeks now according to an early scan. Thanks everyone, you have been so reassuring.

I can get excited now!!

Is your child ok? I had an x-ray the other day at 23 weeks pregnant and the anxiety I'm having is horrible. I've cried numerous times a day and been panicking. I saw this old post of yours. Did everything end up ok with your child?

I would strongly advise you to talk to your midwife. The risk to the baby at 23 weeks is negligible but if it is upsetting you this much then you should definitely get help

Hello @Lamby80, I know this thread is very old but am freaking out 😢.

Had an abdominal X-ray when I was 3-4 weeks pregnant (I genuinely didn’t know!) the radiographer asked if I was and I said no..... how stupid of me!!!!

I am now panicking as have read loads of bad stuff online.... and abdominal X-rays put the beam direct onto the baby.

Just looking for some reassurance 😢. How did your pregnancy go and was your baby all OK?

Thanks x

Hello Misswhoshallnotbenamed, i have had a name change but I was the OP.
I feel for you. I felt absolutely terrible and so anxious. I will start by saying the pregnancy was completely normal and my child is perfect, no issues whatsoever. I did find it helped to contact the hospital and I pushed them to respond. I ended up having a head physicist come back to me, formal letter and then she followed up with a phone call. She was great, massively put my mind at rest. Can you do the same? Feel free to pm me if you need to chat.

Hi @LambLamb i am so glad I came across your post. I had a bone density dexa scan after a negative pregnancy test but have since found out I am pregnant and would have been 4 weeks and 3 days. Absolutely gutted and so worried that I harmed our baby. I had treatment (ovulation induction) for our first baby and didn’t think I could be pregnant. Feel so so stupid and wish I could turn back time.. wishful thinking.. I rang the dr but he hasn’t got my results through and the secretary just rang back to say the dexa scans are low radiation. But that doesn’t stop me worrying and knowing that it would have been on the baby xx

@Eimz90 sorry to hear this. Most x ray machines are low dose now. I was a mess when I realised and i still kick myself now. Do you want to PM me?

@LambLamb it makes me feel so much better to know your little one is perfect ❤️ I think I managed to send a private message although not 100 percent as I’m new to mumsnet. I’d only ever read comments and posts before and just joined today