Tuesday, March 26, 2013

X-Ray and Pregnancy


The use of X-rays is very common to determine problems in the human body. X-rays have their pros and cons. In this article, we will look at their effects on an unborn child -effects during a pregnancy. Generally, it is believed that having an X-ray during a pregnancy is very harmful to a fetus. This is true to a certain extent.

Simply put, exposures of over 10 rads (absorbed radiation measurement units) to an unborn child could be very harmful and can increase the chances of eye and learning disabilities.

Understanding Rad

One rad is equal to 1000 millirads. An estimated exposure through a chest X-ray is 60 millirads and for an abdominal X-ray, it is 290 millirads. To produce an adverse affect on an unborn child, 10,000 millirads are required. Now you must have understood how many rads are required to affect a fetus and whether X-rays are harmful during a pregnancy.

Unless it is recommended by an expert or physician, then there is no need to worry about it as the amount of radiation your baby will receive is well within the safe zone.

Extra Care

In every laboratory, radiologic technologists are properly trained for quality patient care. These are the people who conduct examinations. The radiologic technologists are supposed to ask you whether opr not you are pregnant., If for some reason they do not ask, you should tell them that you are a pregnant or expecting pregnancy so that they will know to take special precautions.

X-rays Alternatives

An ultrasound could be the best replacement of an X-ray. In addition, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can also be used after the first trimester of your pregnancy.

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