Pregnant OR nurse and X-ray

[katygirl8]

Hi everyone,

I have been an OR nurse for 8 years and I am now 5 weeks pregnant. My concern is about radiation exposure. I have seen quite of few of my fellow nurses who have been pregnant take different measures to lower their exposure to X-ray. I did some research on line and it seem rather scary as to what amount of radiation a surgical team member is exposed compared to the recommended allowable levels for a pregnant female hospital worker.

What have been you experiences with it? Am I too overly cautious and just protect myself with lead when it is unavoidable?

Thanks

[CRNAGAL]

When I was pregnant, I avoided rooms with lots of flouro and xray, prostate seeding for example. I avoided rooms where cement was being used. And I either wore a lead skirt under an xray gown, or 2 lead gowns on one forward one backward, so I was protected from all angles. Most places I've seen have been very accommodating to their pregnant RN's, just don't let yourself get bullied into situations your uncomfortable with.

[ICRN2008, BSN, RN]

Your hospital should provide you with a monitoring badge if you are exposed to radiation on a consistent basis. I had to wear one for two years in the clinical lab when I ran RIAs (radioimmunoassays), and I also wore one as a student when I was exposed to radioactive phosphorus. I think that it is a federal law that exposure levels must be monitored. Allowable levels are lower for pregnant females than for regular workers.

I would contact your hospital's occupational heath department and find out what kind of monitoring they perform and what steps they can take to reduce your exposure. Congratulatoins!

[Crux1024]

Someone did mention this, but you should NOT be in rooms with bone cement (methyl methacralate) or whatever else they may be using as cement. This can cause fetal deformties.

The radiation exposure, truly is very minmal when you are wearing the proper protetion (lead that covers front and back and not just a apron for the front). Check with your radiology dept., they may have a lead square that pregnant rad techs put under their lead (over the bellies) for even more protection. And of course, stay as FAR from the xray as the procedure will allow. Good luck and congrats! If your hospital has a radiation safety officer, they would also be a good person to talk to.

I am a surgical tech and when I was preggers I still was required to do xray cases. Bad thing about that, is that there is no standing away from the field when I was scrubbed. But I made sure I ALWAYS had on my monitor and was well protected.

[katygirl8]

Thanks everyone for their responses. It certainly makes me feel better about things.

[Jarnaes]

Waste anesthesia gas is another concern during the first trimester... http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/wasteanestheticgases/