Pregnancy & Radiation Exposure

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Specializes in NICU.

Is it "safe" to hold for x-rays as long as you wear the lead apron while pregnant??

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I would think so. I work in the cath lab and wear a lead apron a lot of the time. I as given a second badge to go on my waist and the entire time my son never got any significant exposure. Make sure the apron is doubled on your front and you should be fine.

Of course, this shouldn't take the palce of your doctor's recommendations.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Progressive Care.

I work in a radiation biology lab - rads work and pregnancy is a very controversial topic.

If I were you would certainly consult my doc and do a search of the literature so that I could make an informed decision. I would also talk to a radiologist - preferably an interventional radiologist (ie one that works in radiation environments ). The Department of Energy also has an extensive database of rads safety stuff that may found on their website.

No offense to anybody here, but I certainly would not rely on the advice given on an internet forum.

Congrats on your pregnancy!

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Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

This is how I see it...what are you willing to risk? It is actually up to you!

I know that the radiation potential is very low even if you wear a protective screen, but if something were to fail, or the very small odds do find their way to you...is this something you want???

This is odd, but may help you...when I got pregnant, I worked at a pet store. There are several diseases you can catch when working with animals let alone the chemicals you use in simple cleaning that can affect pregancy. I had to choose if I was going to stay or leave! Even if I didn't clean cages, lifted, or did things to endanger my unborn child...what did that mean to me as a person too??? Would I loose my job? Would I loose my insurance? Would I be able to provide for my child (I was a single mom).

I chose to not take risks at all. I did NOT get fired, I did NOT do anything I wasn't suppose to, and all was well. I got excellent prenatal care and learned as much as I could about risk factors and general health for pregant women...guess what????

From that want for knowledge about risks...I got a grant sponcered by my prenatal care facility to become an RN!!!!!!!! Oh yes, I took it...been a RN since!

And all because I was unwilling to put my baby at risk, and took on the fear of being fired, loosing income, and so on. It turned out great because I was smart enough to ask questions, did my OWN research (without internet..wasn't that available then), and made my OWN choices!

Good luck and congrats on your pregancy!

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Specializes in NICU.

Congratulations! Could you ask one of the other nurses to hold the baby? I'm always willing to hold the babies of my pg coworkers--I'm done having kids and our rad techs are good at not usually needing someone to help hold.

In fact, seeing a nurse run out of the room as the X-Ray machine comes in is as good an announcement as any ;).

If I were pg, I wouldn't take the chance.

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