Everyone in the world receives some amount of natural radiation daily, even pregnant women. However, during pregnancy getting a medical x-ray and receiving any man-made radiation can be harmful to the mother and the unborn fetus as well as the technologist performing the examination. Let’s explore and discuss the effects that radiation can have on the pregnant patient, the unborn embryo/fetus, the pregnant technologist, and the protective or precautionary measures that can be taken to reduce as much harm as possible. Radiation can have effects on anyone that receives it but it tends to be more of a concern when it comes to pregnant patients. There are risks to getting an x-ray whether you are pregnant or not. According to the U.S. Food and
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One precaution that can be taken is to place signs in the x-ray examination rooms and dressing rooms asking patients to notify the technologist about the possibility of pregnancy before an examination is begun. Neither the patients nor the technologists should take this statement lightly. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging examinations are recommended to be performed in place of radiologic examinations when pregnancy is of question. Radiologic examinations that use radiation should only be used if a diagnosis cannot be reached (Trapp & Kron, 2008, p. 122). If a radiologic examination must be performed on a pregnant patient, there are some precautionary measures that can be taken and modifications to the procedure that can be done to help protect both the mother and the unborn fetus. Every patient, pregnant or not should be shielded as long as it does not interfere with the examination. However, this is extremely important for patients that are pregnant. As stated earlier, the fetus is protected by its mother’s uterus. Shielding the patient’s abdominal area and reproductive organs aids in even further protection of the unborn fetus. According to Trapp & Kron (2008), radiation exposure to the pelvis and abdominal region of women of reproductive capacity should be kept to a minimum. During pregnancy, it should be stressed that radiation exposure to these areas should only occur if the examination cannot be postponed due to the urgent nature of a diagnosis (pp. 120, 121). It would be wise for the technologist to consult with a radiologist and a radiation safety officer to discuss whether or not performing the examination on a pregnant patient is absolutely necessary. It is important to decide whether or not the examination is medically necessary and if the benefits outweigh the risks. If it is decided that the examination is necessary and the benefits do indeed outweigh the
One precaution that can be taken is to place signs in the x-ray examination rooms and dressing rooms asking patients to notify the technologist about the possibility of pregnancy before an examination is begun. Neither the patients nor the technologists should take this statement lightly. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging examinations are recommended to be performed in place of radiologic examinations when pregnancy is of question. Radiologic examinations that use radiation should only be used if a diagnosis cannot be reached (Trapp & Kron, 2008, p. 122). If a radiologic examination must be performed on a pregnant patient, there are some precautionary measures that can be taken and modifications to the procedure that can be done to help protect both the mother and the unborn fetus. Every patient, pregnant or not should be shielded as long as it does not interfere with the examination. However, this is extremely important for patients that are pregnant. As stated earlier, the fetus is protected by its mother’s uterus. Shielding the patient’s abdominal area and reproductive organs aids in even further protection of the unborn fetus. According to Trapp & Kron (2008), radiation exposure to the pelvis and abdominal region of women of reproductive capacity should be kept to a minimum. During pregnancy, it should be stressed that radiation exposure to these areas should only occur if the examination cannot be postponed due to the urgent nature of a diagnosis (pp. 120, 121). It would be wise for the technologist to consult with a radiologist and a radiation safety officer to discuss whether or not performing the examination on a pregnant patient is absolutely necessary. It is important to decide whether or not the examination is medically necessary and if the benefits outweigh the risks. If it is decided that the examination is necessary and the benefits do indeed outweigh the