Pregnant, x-rays… help me out please.?
So I am VERY early into my pregnancy (within the first few weeks) and my dr wants me to get an x-ray. It would be in my thigh that she wants to see (I’ve had chronic pain for a few months)… we’ve done bloodwork, an ultrasound to rule out bloodclots, and nothing has shown up besides a positive D Dimer test (which is why we did the ultrasound for the blood clot)…
So like I said, my dr (not my ob, my regular dr) wants me to get an x-ray and said that they could just "cover my stomach up", my ob’s office said they don’t normally want that, but if my dr is recommending it, I might need to… honestly, I want to know from people who know, what are the risks to the baby, especially this early into a pregnancy, when you get an x-ray done so close to the uterus/stomach? How dangerous is it?
Any insight/info is appreciated. Thanks.
Honestly, the reason is because the other tests showed nothing. In terms of cancer, my doctor did do a white cell count, and that didn’t show anything… my doctor said that the pain could be simply a condition caused by my nerves and within 6-9 months it clears up. No reason for it, just one of those things (I can’t remember the name, it’s really long and technical sounding)…
Honestly, the people who work in the radiology department were VERY concerned about doing the x-ray knowing I’m so early into the pregnancy. It’s the doctors who don’t specialize in that field that weren’t as concerned. I know it’s probably a small risk, but I am leaning towards it’s not worth the small risk to my baby… believe me, I’ll be praying!
I wouldn’t do it until after the baby is born unless for some reason what’s causing your leg pain could hurt the baby, because the baby is way more sensitive during the first stages of pregnancy. Think about it, the first couple of months during pregnancy everything is forming, the latter stages are just growning. I wouldn’t risk it. Better safe than sorry. But you also have to consider your doctor (probably) knows what they’re talking about. Or ask your obgyn.
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:48 am
well he’s the doctor… so it probably wont be so bad if he’s covering your stomach up
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November 23rd, 2009 at 4:02 am
I had an x-ray during my second pregnancy at the dentist. They put a vest on you that protects your stomach from the x-rays. Everything was fine and my OB approved it.
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November 23rd, 2009 at 4:07 am
I wouldn’t do it until after the baby is born unless for some reason what’s causing your leg pain could hurt the baby, because the baby is way more sensitive during the first stages of pregnancy. Think about it, the first couple of months during pregnancy everything is forming, the latter stages are just growning. I wouldn’t risk it. Better safe than sorry. But you also have to consider your doctor (probably) knows what they’re talking about. Or ask your obgyn.
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November 23rd, 2009 at 4:35 am
xray is the most dangerous within the first trimester. (approx first 13 weeks). Shielding is protection, but I wouldn’t recommend anyone take that chance until well into the 2nd trimester, and then only if completely necessary. The further into your pregnancy you can wait for the xrays, the better.
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xray/ultrasound tech 15 years
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:48 am
Relax and have the x-ray, you and baby will be just fine. Risks are very low to none at all. The benefits of this x-ray in your case def outweigh any of the very very low risks. Congrats on your pregnancy!
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November 23rd, 2009 at 5:20 am
If they cover the area with a lead plate, then there is very little radiation reaching your uterus area. However, the first trimester is teh worst for developing birth defects, etc, as the fetus is doing it’s most developing at this point. (going from a single cell to something that resembles a baby in less than 12 weeks)
Good luck, and make sure you discuss all concerns with your doc/obg.
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November 23rd, 2009 at 5:41 am
It all depends on what the urgency is on the thigh. What does the doctor suspect? Cancer? Or just a muscle injury? Unless the doc can come up with something urgent, I would delay until later on in your pregnancy.
Ultimately, you are the one who has to live with the results, not the doctor. I would get a second opinion before considering the Xray.
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November 23rd, 2009 at 6:21 am
Im a nurse and was working in the ER doing trauma when I got pregnant. I was exposed to all kinds of xrays before I knew I was pregnant. My son is fine.
they will put a lead vest over your abdomen. it will be fine.
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November 23rd, 2009 at 7:05 am
How early on are you?
I was a vet. tech. at the beginning of my pregnancy (when I didn’t know yet). And my whole job was to do x-rays.
My baby is fine (I did multiple x-rays every day until I was 8 wks. pregnant).
I DID wear the lead vest though. So that’s what they should put on you. YOu should be fine.
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November 23rd, 2009 at 7:34 am
I’ve had two xrays done at denist during this preg & they doubled up the vests. ob approved. Healthy preg still. Make sure doc knows your preg & let him know your concerns.
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37.5 wks
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:04 am
I am not a medical professional. If it can be avoided that is best. However, blood clots in the leg are serious business during pregnancy that can lead to pulmonary edema and death. So, covering the section of your body with baby and doing the x-ray on your leg should be ok for your baby, I only say this because my wife needed the same thing and our baby is still healthy. However, I personally would NOT let them do a CT scan, which might be their next suggestion if they can’t see anything, because the amount of radiation is much higher and may not be safe for baby.
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November 23rd, 2009 at 8:51 am
Have them give you a lead blanket like thingy.
I was three weeks prego, and did not know it. I had a chest X Ray cause I was having chest pain. I was standing, and they did not give me a lead thingy.
I come to find out that I was prego after the ER did a blood test, and the X Ray showed my milk ducts were swollen. My son is beyond fine………… he is great.
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November 23rd, 2009 at 9:33 am
I had a similar question. I had a dental x ray and I searched the internet for all answers. This was before I knew I was pregnant. The shields they put on you do nothing. I was told this by my medical doctor and ob doctor and I read this on the internet at offical x ray websites. The radiation that is given out is a very small amount so the chances of affecting the fetus are very slim. You really just never know. I had my x ray done from the denist when I was like three weeks pregnant. Now I am going on eight weeks. Good luck in deciding!
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