Having an xray may seem like no big deal. It is a common procedure to be sent for if your doctor suspects you have any broken teeth or bones. For a long time research has pointed out that if you are pregnant then you should avoid getting an xray but if I had an xray and didn’t know I was pregnant, what happens?
Having a general Xray, such as a generic Xray to detect broken bone while not knowing the pregnancy is nothing big to worry about. However, it is always wise to check with the doctor to minimize any potential risk. Having a higher dose Xray, it is a MUST to be cautious.
Had An Xray and Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant – What Now?
I didn’t know I was pregnant and had an xray, will the baby be ok? Being pregnant we are told to avoid having x-rays due to the fact that exposure to radiation can have an effect on your baby. The highest risk is in early pregnancy however if you had an xray and didn’t know you were pregnant then it is unlikely your doctor would be concerned unless it was a high dose x-ray directly on your belly.
How Safe Are Xrays?
We all jump through those pregnancy hoops of dos and don’ts, changing the way we eat, learning what medication is safe to take, and also what procedures we need to avoid. But when you have an injury or a condition that requires an x-ray examination what is the correct protocol? Maybe you are waiting for that missed period or waiting for a positive test either way you could be thinking, what if I had an xray and didn’t know I was pregnant?
Generally, you will never really have to have an x-ray whilst pregnant but it poses the question of how harmful are they if you weren’t to know.
X Rays themselves are electromagnetic waves. Classed as ionizing radiation, the warnings of how harmful this could be to an unborn child have been passed down from generations of scientists. Nowadays we understand that in order for an xray to be harmful it would need to be directed at your tummy and at a much higher dosage than your typical hospital machine.
The FDA actually states that having an xray of the body where the lower abdomen isn’t the primary target is actually safe for your baby and will be more beneficial for the mom who is seeking treatment.
Side Effects
There has to be some proof in the fact we once thought x rays were too harmful to our unborn baby. In actual fact there are a fair few, look at the list below:
- Growth problems
- Birth defects
- Alternative brain function
- Cancers in later life
The dangers are real, they are there but as we have adapted and our technology has progressed it has been calculated that these types of side effects are so rare a mom would have to undergo around 450 abdominal x-rays to be at risk of cancer.
- Early Pregnancy
Early pregnancy is the time when you may be naive to what is happening in your tummy. Many of us don’t even realize we have conceived until we are around 4 weeks already which is when you typically miss your first period. This is why you may find yourself saying I have had an xray and didn’t know I was pregnant.
We have already discussed that getting an xray is not as harmful as we once believed, yet so much is happening during early pregnancy that doctors will always act with caution if there could be the slightest chance of pregnancy. With the fetus multiplying cells by the second even the smallest dose of radiation through an xray can disrupt the normal development which can result in miscarriage.
If you have recently undergone treatment involving an xray and have found out you are now pregnant then you should consult your doctor immediately to seek their advice and help.
Ways to Minimize the Risk
Of Course, if you had known about your pregnancy you would not be frantically looking for explanations telling you all will be well but even if you have the slightest hint that you could be with child then always speak to your doctor. They may provide you with a pregnancy test just to be sure and/or take the following precautions.
- Using a lead apron to cover your belly will prevent the harmful rays from hurting your baby.
- Opting for an MRI instead will eradicate any uncertainty as they do not use the same ionizing radiation as your typical x-ray.
- Be sure of your dates, knowing your cycle can predict how far along you could be if you are yet to have a positive test. It is important to avoid x-rays between 10-17 weeks as this is the time when the cells that make up the brain of your child are busy developing.
X rays With A Higher Radiation Level
We have discovered that the xray machine you find in the hospitals carries a very low risk to you if you are pregnant yet there can be other procedures that carry a greater risk to your unborn child.
Barium enemas and CT scans use a higher dosage of radiation that gives you a greater risk of your baby developing side effects. If you have had one of these procedures then immediately get in touch with your doctor to find out the best course of action you can take if any.
I suppose it would be an idea if all hospitals offered women a pregnancy test before having high levels of radiation treatment. This could then rule out any moms who come back at a later date saying I didn’t know I was pregnant and had an x-ray.
Wrapping Up
To finalize our findings about I had an xray and didn’t know I was pregnant I think it’s safe to say the generic xrays used to detect broken bones pose a minimal risk to unborn children.
Always follow precautions if you believe there could be a chance you are pregnant and before you sign for those higher dose treatments ask for a test to be sure.
You would only need an xray if there was something wrong and your doctor may find it in your best interest to go ahead with the procedure other than waiting until you have given birth.
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