Is x-rays harmful during pregnancy?

Women diligently prepare their bodies for conception - quit smoking, eat right, make necessary analyzes and studies. But many future mothers, the question arises - can x-rays during pregnancy harm the child? And what effect will it have on the course of the entire pregnancy?

The way x-rays can damage a baby during pregnancy depends to a large extent on the size of the dose and the organ that the picture is taken. Currently, doctors in their arsenal have modern equipment that allows to conduct X-ray studies using small doses of radiation, so it is safe and will not adversely affect the fetus, but does not exclude its potential risk. First of all, damage to the central nervous system of the fetus is possible, there is a risk of miscarriage and further complication of pregnancy. Rays can damage the cells or DNA of living matter. Especially dangerous is the X-ray in the early stages of pregnancy, when the fetus consists of a small body. The effect of X-rays on the body is very fast. Therefore, if there is a need to do an X-ray, it is better to do it in the first phase of the cycle or for two weeks from the beginning of menstruation, that is, when the woman is probably not pregnant. At the second stage, after ovulation, it is better not to do an x-ray.

The mechanism of changes in irradiated tissues is very complex and depends, in particular, on the size of the dose received, the type and conditions of irradiation, and also the type of cells in the body. After all, different tissues of the human body differ in their sensitivity to x-ray irradiation. The most sensitive to it are genitals, bone marrow, lungs, stomach, large intestine, lens of the eye.

If the X-ray is carried out on the top of the woman - chest, mouth, neck or arms, the rays are not directed directly to the fetus. Nevertheless, in case of need to do an X-ray in pregnancy of the abdomen, back, pelvis or kidney, the radiation has direct contact with the fetus.

A modern X-ray machine generates excellent diagnostic radiation with low radiation dose. This is enough to perform most of the necessary tests (for example, dental or chest x-ray), even in the early stages of pregnancy. True, for studies that require large doses of radiation (lumbar spine, x-ray pelvis or hips), the risk of birth defects is higher. It is in such situations that you can use more advanced imaging techniques (ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging). After all, despite the fact that MRI is one of the radiological methods of diagnosis, this study does not use X-rays.

If a woman wonders if she can do an x-ray while a tooth is pregnant, she should take into account possible risks. Of course, irradiation in dental radiology is minimal, but it can not be said that it is zero. The risk of malformations of the fetus due to x-ray of the tooth, is small. When irradiating the facial skull, the patient wears a special protective apron with a thin layer of lead. In addition, this protection concerns and the thyroid gland.

Doing an X-ray during pregnancy is best only when necessary, when all other studies and tests can not be postponed until the baby is born. X-ray examination of pregnant women should be done in such a way as to ensure maximum protection of the fetus from the effects of radiation. Each expectant mother should discuss with the doctor the need to do an X-ray during pregnancy - to change the date of its conduct, generally refuse or change the study for less invasive and safer for pregnant methods.