“Can X-ray radiations be harmful for pregnant women?”
My doctor is suspecting that I may have fractured my hand. I am also pregnant six months. I have been advised an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis. Could the X-ray radiations be harmful for my unborn baby?
9 Answers
There is no amount of radiation that is “safe.” However, sometimes the benefits of gaining information about your condition outweigh the risks of a small dose of radiation - I think it would be important to know how displaced your broken bones may be. The most risky time for radiation during pregnancy is in the first 12 weeks when the fetus is still forming organs. At 6 months of pregnancy, all organs are formed and the fetus is just adding mass. Since I don’t know how bad your fracture is, it’s hard to say whether it is necessary. It is advisable to have a discussion with the doctor who is ordering it. If you don’t like the answers, talk with another physician until you feel comfortable.
There is no known minimal dose of fetal harm. However, the dose of hand X-rays are minimal and you should be shielded and the baby should be fine. Another option is to wait or even an MRI.
All the best.
All the best.
Should be no problem. Hand X-ray is very low dose. Also, the technologist should shield your pelvis/lower abdomen with a lead apron with almost zero radiation to the fetus.
Stephen W. Kulbaba
Radiologist
Although the risks are low, there is some risk posed by radiation to a fetus, or to any tissue for that matter. However, since the region in question is your hand, your baby can be protected from the radiation by a lead apron. X-ray technicians are well trained to help protect you and your baby from unwanted radiation exposure.
No. It is safe to have x-ray of the hand. The direction of rays is administered is away from the body and scatter rays are so minimal that there are no serious side-effects to the fetus.
An X-ray of your hand is not likely to cause any harm to your fetus, particularly at six months. Most likely, you will be shielded during the time of the X-ray procedure.
When properly maintained equipment in certified facility is utilized, there is limited scatter and virtually no risk.
Your hand would be imaged and the radiation beam will be narrowed to reduce outside radiation. In addition, since you are out of your first trimester, any minimal exposure would be safe.
Inform the X-ray technologist that you are pregnant. They will take any necessary precautions. That's part of their training and job!
Inform the X-ray technologist that you are pregnant. They will take any necessary precautions. That's part of their training and job!
There is a theoretic risk, but no proven risk. For your hand, you can get a belly shield and shield the fetus. Go ahead.
