MRI scan before I knew I was pregnant

[VelvetN]

Hello everyone. I would really appreciate some advice as I can’t get these concerns out of my head.

This weekend we had a positive pregnancy test (after a long wait!) and are over the moon - however, on 21st April I had an MRI scan on my right knee. My last period was 4th April, so it’s likely that this scan was a week or two after conception I think. Is there a chance that this could have caused harm to the fetus?! I am worrying myself silly thinking about it. I know that no one can give me a conclusive answer, but any advice or experience - particularly if you inadvertently had an MRI in the first trimester - would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thank you so so much

@VelvetN I am not 100% sure but I think MRI are safe in pregnancy.

I had a head CT scan about 11 days after ovulation (1 day before positive pregnancy test ) and I am too worried sick. I read a lot online and it said that MRI are preferred over CT scans in pregnancy .

Maybe speak to you GP for reassurance although in my experience different professionals gave me different information.

I hope it all goes well for you.

Hi, thank you so much for your reply. I'm sorry to hear that you're worried about a similar concern too. Have you managed to get any answers for your worries from your GP, etc? All I seem to come across is information saying not to have an MRI in the first trimester, which is making me fret even more

I don't know the answer to this either as I'm not a medical professional. I do know that MRI doesn't use radiation unlike x-rays which may be useful to know.

In your position I would ring the consultant or department who referred you for the MRI and discuss it with them.

Hope all is okay and best of luck with your pregnancy.

@VelvetN yes , what my GP said was "What's happened can't be undone so just try not to worry and enjoy your pregnancy but please mention it to your midwife at the booking appointment " which didn't really reassure me.
I called the CT department and the person who answered the phone said that there are always risks and that Radiaiton Protection Superviser will get back to me with more information but they didn't. I emailed radiography department and had a reply saying that the radiation received by fetus would be no more that that when taking a flight abroad which made me relax a bit but I am not sure who was that answered the email as they only signed by a name.
I ended up in A&E today with brown bleed again and when I mentioned the CT scan to the doctor and she only said "I understand your worries ,mention it to the gyneo at the EPU when you go there for a scan on Wednesday ".
I also emailed a Polish Gynecologist who has experience with radiation and he said that I should not worry ,that the risk is negligible.

I hope this helps but please be reassured that MRI is much safer as it doesn't involve the radiation CT scan does.

Was it a plain MRI or with contrast?

i found this, it may be worth a read
www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/are-mri-scans-safe-during-pregnancy

I had to have an MRI when pregnant and the doctors reassured me that it was safe (also had to have a lot of less safe procedures like many x-rays and some kind of nuclear imaging scan and my daughter is perfectly fine). Try not to worry, but you can always speak to the doctor for reassurance I'm sure.

Thank you so much for all your posts, I am so grateful and it has set my mind at ease.

@Pregnantandvworried i am sorry to hear you have been passed around so much without getting a clear answer. I really hope things work out well for you, what a worry yesterday must have been xx

i have just had a reply from my radiologist, I will copy and paste it below incase other expectant mums may come across this thread with similar concerns in future:

“Thank you for your email and I totally understand your concern. First of all congratulation for the good news and I hope everything goes well with you during this pregnancy.

With regards to your concern, although we ask the pregnancy question during the safety check and avoid scanning women’s in their first trimester due to the unknown risk of the exposure to the radio frequency wave and the potential risk of hearing loss on new born babies. However,
the latest studies and research shows that there is no adverse effect on foetal growth in any trimester including the exposure during the first trimester.

The scanner parameters are programmed such a way that the SAR ( specific absorption rate ) of the radio frequency energy doesn’t exceed above the normal level during the scan. In your case you were in the scanner for less than 30 minutes scanned it’s unlikely that this exposure will exceed beyond the recommended dose.”