VQ scan in pregnancy - pulmonary embolism

[ElaineC82]

Hi ladies, I have had a horrific few days - I'm 28 weeks pregnant, I was referred to emergency care at hospital as GP suspected I had a pulmonary embolism, they where pretty convinced I was likely to have had this based on shortness of breath tight chest, heart rate etc, they said they needed to put me on blood thinners and send me for a chest X-ray, if the chest X-ray came back clear I would need a VQ scan - the chest X-ray did come back clear, so I tortured myself over having this VQ scan which would involve a small dose of radiation being injected into my arm, they said the risk was higher not having this scan and the risks to baby are very small with this scan as they would use a half dose because I am pregnant, in the end I went ahead with the scan ( it was clear, so I've exposed baby to radiation for nothing) now I am absolutely distraught and terrified the baby will get cancer - has anybody had this scan and had healthy child?? X

I had one for the same reason. Baby born 6.4.21 perfectly fit and healthy 9lbs 14oz. With no issues or concerns at all. The ammount is so so small and is out the system pretty quick. Dont worry yourself about it did they give you the leaflet with all the Info on?

I had one which also came back clear and my now 2 year old was born a week late, perfectly healthy and has had no health issues at all. The risks to the baby really are minuscule, I panicked before having it so had a chat with the obstetrician who really put my mind at rest. It’s easy said than done but do try not to worry about it

@Donnah85587 - thanks so much for replying - I didn't think I'd get a reply on this, honestly I'm driving myself crazy I've just had to find out info from Google - the risks of childhood cancer are making me hate myself for doing it - they didn't give me any leaflets - just explained that there was a small risk with any X-ray procedures and that the benefits outweighed the risks in my case 😓 congratulations on your baby I'm glad everything worked out for you x

You do realise that if you had a pulmonary embolism you could have died?

Very unfortunate to have a suspected life threatening diagnosis during pregnancy but by having the test you gave your baby the best chance of survival.

If it had been diagnosed you would have had the right treatment.

@Donnah85587 @SacramentoQueen great to hear you both have healthy babies - what stage did you have the scan if you don't mind me asking x

@ElaineC82 my hospital said they do at least 1 a day on pregnant ladies so really not as rare as you think and they should have given you leaflets to read that explain a lot more in detail thats the risks are really so minimal like less than 0.1%. My boy had forceps for delivery so had a v on his head we laugh that he is a super hero due to the radiation and thats his mark like harry Potter.🤣

@Elainec82 mine was at 34 Weeks

Don't worry, the dose of radiation is small. VQ scans have repeatedly been shown to be safe during pregnancy. There have been cases of women who were exposed to much higher doses of radiation (eg CT scans) before they knew they were pregnant and still went on to have healthy babies.
Premature babies are often exposed to radiation in intensive care, eg chest X-rays, and grow up to be healthy.

You didn't expose your baby to radiation for nothing - the scan was necessary to exclude a potentially life threatening disease, which could also have endangered your baby. It was the right choice.
I hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly

The risks to baby would be small the risk if you have a PE would be death if not treated. I don’t know what your results are, but a PE is a huge deal and very scary.

As someone who very nearly died from a PE you made the right decision and your baby.

• for you and your baby.

Yes, apart from the super powers mine turned out completely normal too

@ElaineC82 mine was at 29/30 weeks

Thanks so much for all the replies - I appreciate it x