Gynecology And Obstetrics-

X-ray during pregnancy

definition

An x-ray is done to get a closer look at the inside of the body, such as bones and organs. The corresponding part of the body is irradiated, whereby the X-rays can theoretically damage the cells of the body.

This damage is usually repaired quickly, but this is not enough in the rapidly developing unborn child and can result in disruptions in the child's development. For this reason, x-rays should be avoided during pregnancy and should only be used when the mother is in an acute emergency

Why can X-rays be harmful to my baby during pregnancy?

X-rays send electromagnetic rays through the body. The rays hit the different tissues of the body and are transmitted or reflected by them in different ways. By collecting the radiation that has passed through, images of the bones and organs behind the body can be made visible.

If the X-rays hit cell components or the DNA of the cells when scanning the body, their high energy can cause damage there. Usually the body can repair this damage before the cell divides the next time. Because unborn children grow quickly and their cells often divide, this repair is less likely.

The changed DNA is passed on to many cells and malformations can occur. For this reason, x-rays during pregnancy can be dangerous for the child.

Especially in the first weeks of pregnancy, the child grows very quickly and all important organs and body parts are trained.Damage from X-rays during this time can therefore have dire consequences such as malformations of the body.

The further the pregnancy has progressed, the smaller the consequences that can arise for the unborn child.

If the mother's lower abdomen or back is X-rayed, the rays hit the child directly and are therefore the most dangerous.
But even if other parts of the body are x-rayed, it can happen that rays are deflected by the reflection of the tissue and hit the child. Of course, this is more likely if parts of the body such as the chest that are close to the child are X-rayed.
For example, when taking x-rays of the hand, patients usually wear lead protection around the abdomen, which is why less radiation can hit the child with such a picture.

It also makes an important difference whether only a small part of the body has been x-rayed with little radiation or a larger part with a lot of radiation. It is also important to know that a single x-ray is less likely to have long-term consequences for the child than repeated x-rays.

What if I got an X-ray and was unwittingly pregnant?

The consequences of x-rays during pregnancy can be very different. They are dependent on:

the time of pregnancy
the X-rayed body part
the number of shots

A single X-ray image supplies the body with radiation that corresponds to only about a quarter of the radiation that every person is exposed to in space every year. As a rule, a single or a few x-rays are not sufficient to cause long-term damage to the embryo. If you have been x-rayed without knowing that you are already pregnant, you should definitely discuss this with your gynecologist. However, one does not have to assume harm to the child.

Damage to the child, which leads to pronounced malformations, is only assumed from a radiation dose that is approximately fifty times the dose of a single x-ray of the lungs.

Nevertheless, X-rays should be avoided during pregnancy if possible, as harm to the child cannot be completely ruled out.

Is it possible to take an X-ray despite pregnancy?

In principle, it is possible to take an X-ray despite pregnancy. A one-time x-ray is usually not dangerous for the child. X-rays of body parts that are far from the abdomen are particularly harmless, as lead protection is usually worn anyway to protect against X-rays.

However, care should be taken, especially with X-rays that affect the mother's stomach and back. Since X-ray damage to the child cannot be ruled out, one should always carefully consider whether the X-ray is necessary.

In many cases, other methods of diagnosis can help. However, if there is a dangerous or emergency situation for the mother in which no alternative imaging is possible, an X-ray is useful.

What alternatives are there?

There are several alternatives to X-rays during pregnancy. First of all, it should always be weighed up whether imaging is even necessary at the current time. Often times, the diagnosis can even be made with a physical exam alone. Or it is about clarifying a question that can wait until after pregnancy.

If acute imaging is necessary anyway, the most popular and best method in pregnancy is ultrasound. No rays that could harm the child are released. Ultrasound, as the name suggests, works by emitting and measuring sound waves that travel through the body. Experienced doctors can make many diagnoses through an ultrasound image.

However, some tissues, such as bones, reflect the sound waves so strongly that no clear picture can be created. Body parts that contain a lot of air, such as the intestines, can also be depicted less well.

If the ultrasound leaves further questions unanswered, there is also the option of magnetic resonance tomography. During this MRI examination, images are generated using magnetic fields. The examination also takes place without any radiation exposure for the child. According to the current state of research, the child is not harmed at any stage of pregnancy.

More information is available here: Examinations during pregnancy

Can X-rays affect a desire to conceive?

As a rule, x-rays cannot impair the desire to conceive. The radiation that acts on the unfertilized egg cells during an X-ray is too low to damage them. In addition, most x-rays even wear lead protection, which covers the ovaries, so that they are practically not exposed to any radiation.

In general, radiation mainly harms cells that divide frequently. These include the egg cells, but even if an egg cell should be damaged by an X-ray, there are still a great number of other egg cells in the resting stage in the ovary that will only divide again in the next cycle.

A desire to conceive can only be impaired by a very high level of radiation exposure, as is the case with the radiation of a tumor. The doctor will discuss this in any case before the therapy. If you are already trying to get pregnant, x-rays should still be avoided as they could impair the implantation of a fertilized egg and harm the unborn child.