Is X-ray safe during Pregnancy?
Is X-ray safe during Pregnancy?
By: Arlene Gentallan
If you're pregnant when your doctor prescribes you to undergo x-ray, you may be worried and scared about it's possible effect to your unborn child. After all, isn't it a well known fact that radiation can cause terrifying health diseases like cancer and physical defect.
They'll probably tell you that your doctor would not recommend a procedure that can jeopartize your baby. But, that doesn't mean that you have no right to ask important questions like "Is undergoing x-ray safe during pregnancy?"
What the expert Says
According to the Academy of Family Physicians, it is safe for pregnant mothers to undergo x-ray.
The American College of Radiology supported that the radiation emitted by x-ray is not significant enough to cause any health issues or affect a developing embryo or fetus.
Is x-ray really safe during pregnancy?
Did you know that the level of radiation from radioactive diagnostic procedures like x-ray is usually less than 20mGy. This level is low that it does not pose danger to your health.
According to the American College of Radiation, radiation less than 50mGy (5 rad) does not cause adverse effect to the embryo or fetus.
What is the danger level of radiation?
According to the American College of Radiation practice guideline, radiation level equal to or more than 100mGy (1o rad) may cause:
The Extremes
Radiation level of 500mGy (500 rad) kills 100% of embryo or fetus exposed before 18 weeks age of gestation
Why do you have to undergo x-ray when you're pregnant?
Your doctor prescribes x-ray based on factors like your health history and physical assessment in order to gain important information that will in turn determine how they will manage or treat you health problem.
For example, your doctor could prescribe chest x-ray even though you are pregnant in order to determine if you have fluid in your lungs so they could treat it. If in case you refuse to undergo chest x-ray because of your fear of it's possible effect to your unborn child, your doctor will in turn not have sufficient data to make a correct diagnosis, thus leaving your health problem untreated.
So, if an x-ray is warranted in your case, it might even be more detrimental not to undergo the said procedure.
It's best to speak with your doctor
It's always best to voice out your worry to your doctor to clarify crucial matters, verify concerns, explore alternative options, as wells as determining possible consequences of refusing a diagnostic procedure.
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| Is X-ray safe during Pregnancy? |
By: Arlene Gentallan
If you're pregnant when your doctor prescribes you to undergo x-ray, you may be worried and scared about it's possible effect to your unborn child. After all, isn't it a well known fact that radiation can cause terrifying health diseases like cancer and physical defect.
They'll probably tell you that your doctor would not recommend a procedure that can jeopartize your baby. But, that doesn't mean that you have no right to ask important questions like "Is undergoing x-ray safe during pregnancy?"
What the expert Says
According to the Academy of Family Physicians, it is safe for pregnant mothers to undergo x-ray.
The American College of Radiology supported that the radiation emitted by x-ray is not significant enough to cause any health issues or affect a developing embryo or fetus.
Is x-ray really safe during pregnancy?
Did you know that the level of radiation from radioactive diagnostic procedures like x-ray is usually less than 20mGy. This level is low that it does not pose danger to your health.
According to the American College of Radiation, radiation less than 50mGy (5 rad) does not cause adverse effect to the embryo or fetus.
What is the danger level of radiation?
According to the American College of Radiation practice guideline, radiation level equal to or more than 100mGy (1o rad) may cause:
- spontaneous abortion to pregnant mothers during the 3rd to 4rth week of pregnancy
- birth defect if the pregnant woman was exposed to this level of radiation during the 5th to 10th week of pregnancy
- mental retardation if the pregnant mother was exposed to this level of radiation during the 11th to 17th week of pregnancy
The Extremes
Radiation level of 500mGy (500 rad) kills 100% of embryo or fetus exposed before 18 weeks age of gestation
Why do you have to undergo x-ray when you're pregnant?
Your doctor prescribes x-ray based on factors like your health history and physical assessment in order to gain important information that will in turn determine how they will manage or treat you health problem.
For example, your doctor could prescribe chest x-ray even though you are pregnant in order to determine if you have fluid in your lungs so they could treat it. If in case you refuse to undergo chest x-ray because of your fear of it's possible effect to your unborn child, your doctor will in turn not have sufficient data to make a correct diagnosis, thus leaving your health problem untreated.
So, if an x-ray is warranted in your case, it might even be more detrimental not to undergo the said procedure.
It's best to speak with your doctor
It's always best to voice out your worry to your doctor to clarify crucial matters, verify concerns, explore alternative options, as wells as determining possible consequences of refusing a diagnostic procedure.
