Is It Safe To Have An X-Ray During Pregnancy?

Is It Safe To Have An X-Ray During Pregnancy?

Having an x-ray while pregnant imposes very little harm to the fetus. The benefits of having an x-ray are very high compared to its effect on a baby. However, if you have several abnormal x-rays before you know that you’ve conceived, your baby could be affected.

According to Mayoclinic, some x-ray exams of the chest, legs, teeth, or head are safer because they won’t expose your reproductive organs to x-ray beams, and you can also wear protective clothes during the process. Abdominal X-rays are different: they will expose your fetus and belly to the direct x-ray beam. And this can affect your baby, depending on the amount of radiation exposure and your baby’s gestational age. Exposure to too many x-ray beams during the first two weeks of pregnancy can lead to miscarriage.

Exposure to high-dose radiation during the first 2 to 8 weeks of pregnancy can cause birth defects or increase the risk of fetal growth restriction. Exposure between eight and sixteen weeks may affect a baby’s learning ability.

Before having an x-ray, let your doctor know that you’re pregnant. Your doctor might reduce the amount of x-ray beams or postpone the process, depending on the circumstances.