Pregnancy and Xray Exposure

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi my fellow nurses,

I am an OR nurse that sometimes has to be in a room with C-Arm due to on call and weekend situations. Last shift I had to pick to be in a room with cement or Xray.( I know worse or more worse). So I opted for the Xray room due to the number of precautions I can take. And of course they were taking pictures like crazy. So I wore 2 leads front and back and one wrap around. I sat the furthest away as I could. So needless to say I am only 5 weeks and paranoid that I just caused my little baby some serious harm. I tried to step out of the room as frequently as possible but I am still concerned. I talked to the Xray tech and she said she went through every pregnancy in the OR and had no complications. I just want to feel reassured with other nurses who work in the Cath Lab or OR that by reducing your exposure and wearing lead your baby will be fine. Sorry but I am a first time pregnant women and I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT TO EXPECT, especially when I am a full time RN and Student.

Thanks!!

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

This is a GREAT question to ask your OB or midwife. We can't give medical advice, but I can say that our standard answer is that x-rays are fine in pregnancy as long as the abdomen is shielded.

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Specializes in ICU.

We cannot give medical advice. Before I knew I was pregnant with my son I tore my rotator cuff. In the beginning I had an X-ray done. When I found out I was pregnant a week later I freaked out. I think it's natural to do that. My son is fine, no issues. I was worried because I had consumed some alcohol, taken my epilepsy medications, and had an X-ray done. I was freaked to say the least. Everything was absolutely fine.

But I honestly think you should call your OB to calm your fears. They are experts in this.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

You need to consult with your OB, perhaps the radiologist and/or occupational health at your hospital.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

As other members have said...we cannot give medical advice and it would be best to discuss this with employee/occ health and you OB/GyN. However I worked with a couple of cath lab nurses that had perfect babies.....we minimized their time in log cases and dropped them from call (we did a ton of call.) Remember every case in using the cine/motion picture camera every time they look at the heart.

I know nothing about bone cement cases but if the are cut films like a CXR cover yourself and try to get as far from the source as possible I am sure your facility has a policy about this.

Congrats on the baby!

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Thanks everyone! I actually just talked to the radiation safety doctor for my hospital. And he told me that I didn't even need to wear two gowns at the risk of hurting my back. He also reassured me that no one in our operating room is exceeding the fetal dose requirements over a year vs 9 months. So I feel better but glad that I took the extra precaution anyways. I appreciate you guys sharing your personal experiences more than anything.

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The Radiology department should have policies and good recommendations for protection and exposure levels. They can also provide the approximate numbers of radiation for each machine during exposure which you can take to your OB. Without those numbers anyone would just be guessing on the safety.

You are not the first or only employee to be concerned which is why this information is mandated to be in Radiology policies. You occasionally see pregnant Radiology Personnel still working with radioactive material and radiation. We have to go through their Radiation safety training as Respiratory Therapists due to working in Cath and Bronchoscopy. Their Medical Director could also be available to discuss risks with your OB at a doctor to doctor level.

https://rpop.iaea.org/RPOP/RPoP/Content/SpecialGroups/1_PregnantWomen/Pregnancyandradiology.htm

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Make sure your supervisor and the radiation safety officer are notified in writing. I've worked with many OR staff who have been in rooms with imaging while pregnant and went on to have healthy babies. I'm sure policies vary from facility to facility, but what mine does is add a second dosimeter, to be worn under the lead at the waistline in addition to the standard dosimeter worn at the collar outside the lead. Our dosimeters are monitored each month.

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