X-ray while (unknowingly) pregnant

[BritInHongKong]

I had a chest X-ray while 3 weeks pregnant - 10 days after conception. I had no idea I was pregnant as I’d taken the morning after pill, and thus signed a waiver at the radiology centre saying I wasn’t pregnant.

I’m dealing with the surprise of the pregnancy, horrendous sickness - but mostly I am terrified of the developmental and long term impact. I’m debating if we have a termination as I’m going to be worried sick about this. My husbands more relaxed about the X-ray.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Google is truly terrifying.

Also - I wasn’t given a lead apron or anything

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/pregnancy/can-i-have-an-x-ray-if-i-am-pregnant/

X-rays aren’t damaging to unborn babies but may increase the risk of childhood cancer. Talk to your medical professionals but it doesn’t seem a reason in and of itself to terminate. But it sounds like you didn’t want this pregnancy in the first place, which is a good reason to do so

Hi. It's probably a bit late to answer but ib case this is helpful to you or someone else ; I had a dental x ray when pregnant with my son. I knew I was pregnant, it just didn't cross my mind that it could cause any issue (I figured my teeth were far enough away from my abdomen... Stupid I know).

Anyway, I researched this as I was in a bit of a panic and found out the following :

• panoramic, modern x ray cause very little radiation (otherwise my brain would have been fried !)

• in fact this type of x ray causes as much radiation as normal daily radiations from the sun and environment (yep, we don't live in a radiation-free world !)

• people used to have x ray instead of ultrasound decades ago, it wasn't commonplace but it did happen. Afaik most of those babies were fine, and we're talking about a much, much higher dose of radiation !

• you'd need to have many x rays before it got actually dangerous. Normally you'd have been offered a lead apron but that would have been mostly to "be on the safe side", not because it makes necessarily a huge difference.

• at such an early stage of pregnancy it tends to be an all or nothing deal as far as birth defects are concerned. Either you miscarry, or you're fine.

• apparently there may be a slightly higher chance of cancer in childhood but really, really slight (and also there won't yet be much data on the latest x ray technique, which are certainly even less harmful). I'm not losing sleep over it.

• a paper I read said that, while best to avoid xray for pregnant patients, it would be less harmful to have the xray and do work needed on the teeth than wait if the patient has a serious dental issue. So it can't be that bad !

Long story short, my son was born in perfect health. He's perfect in every way. At the time I spoke to my doc and the dentist (put them both in touch) and neither of them even suggested abortion as a valid choice in these circumstances.

PS - obviously this is separate from whether you want an abortion for unrelated reasons. You should make whatever decision you're comfortable with in that regard !

Would you jump on a plane whilst pregnant and fly to the USA or any where else? If you would you have just received a radiation dose equivalent to 24 chest X-rays.
We x-ray and CT pregnant people all the time. Lead is no longer used as research shows that it infact increases the dose. You were 3 weeks pregnant- 10 days post conception- you would of technically not actually pregnant. There is nothing to worry about. I hope you are ok?

Hey @BritInHongKong, I know this thread is from last year but I was wondering how you got on? I am freaking out, I had an abdominal X-ray whilst I was pregnant which is even worse as it’s direct onto the fetus (I didn’t know I was pregnant!!! I was approx 3w 4d). I am making myself a wreck by reading everything online and I don’t know what to do. Any advise/help from anyone would be amazing.

Thanks :(

Hey there! I’ve literally just rechecked this thread as after the first comment, I got so upset and signed off Mumsnet.

Now I’m out the other side with a beautiful 5 month old girl, who is so healthy and happy. We joke the xray gave her super powers. I went to a doctor to get advice on this and they said the radiation equivalent was that if a return long haul Flight (which we would have done in non covid times!) and they showed me a chart of radiation equivalents (research following Hiroshima) and it out my mind to rest that at this stage there would have been no impact. I was so scared but decided to put my trust in medical doctors and I’m so pleased we did.

Have a chat to a doctor and if you want to direct message me (if that’s a think on Mumsnet... I literally have no idea on using this) feel free to do so. Congratulations on being pregnant! X

I wish I had read this at the time but I was scared off Mumsnet by the first poster. I have a beautiful 5 month girl. Thank you for sharing this (it’s reassures me again!)

@ShinyBadger @Marphise wish I had read this at the time but I was scared off Mumsnet by the first poster. I have a beautiful 5 month girl. Thank you for sharing this (it’s reassures me again!)

@Misswhoshallnotbenamed
Hey there! I’ve literally just rechecked this thread as after the first comment, I got so upset and signed off Mumsnet.

Now I’m out the other side with a beautiful 5 month old girl, who is so healthy and happy. We joke the xray gave her super powers. I went to a doctor to get advice on this and they said the radiation equivalent was that if a return long haul Flight (which we would have done in non covid times!) and they showed me a chart of radiation equivalents (research following Hiroshima) and it out my mind to rest that at this stage there would have been no impact. I was so scared but decided to put my trust in medical doctors and I’m so pleased we did.

Have a chat to a doctor and if you want to direct message me (if that’s a think on Mumsnet... I literally have no idea on using this) feel free to do so. Congratulations on being pregnant! X

Hello @BritInHongKong thanks sooo much for the reply. Thought it may have been a far stretch as the thread was old so wasn’t expecting a reply. So really appreciate it! Yes completely understand. I have scared myself silly by reading everything on the internet. Even my docs have said you know it’s low risk but don’t worry.... well that risk is still there and so I am a wreck as you can imagine.

So pleased to hear you have a happy & healthy bubba girl! X

Hi I know this is an old post but can you please let me know how you got on. I had a negative pregnancy test so had a bone density scan and have since found out I’m pregnant and I am so worried xx