Can you get x rays when pregnant

Smaller body parts - like your toes or fingers - use less X-ray energy than larger body parts. If you need an X-ray on these parts of the body while pregnant, there is very little risk. Once your provider knows you're pregnant, they may recommend holding off or getting a different test.

Even if they give you the go-ahead, let the technician running the test know. They may have extra precautions they take for pregnant women, such as covering your belly with a lead apron to protect the fetus from radiation exposure.

It's just as important to tell your provider and technician if you might be pregnant. They may ask you to take a pregnancy test first to confirm. So, if you've been actively trying or showing signs of pregnancy - like nausea, vomiting, or breast tenderness - say something.

In general, radiology tests are safe while breastfeeding after pregnancy. Even if you take a contrast - a temporary dye used in certain imaging tests - the amount of contrast that gets passed to your baby in breast milk is extremely low, so it's not considered risky.

However, it's still a good idea to let your physician and the technician know if you're breastfeeding. They may have their own recommendations as to whether to hold off on the test or on the breastfeeding. They can help you decide on the path that's safest for both you and your baby. Exposure between weeks 8 and 16 might increase the risk of a learning or intellectual disability.

But the typical dose of a single radiation exposure associated with a diagnostic X-ray is much lower than the high dose associated with these complications. Before having an X-ray, tell your doctor if you are or might be pregnant. Depending on the circumstances, it might be possible to postpone the X-ray or modify it to reduce the amount of radiation.

In addition, if you have a child who needs an X-ray, don't hold your child during the exam if you are or might be pregnant. If you had a diagnostic X-ray before you knew you were pregnant, talk to your health care provider.

There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health. Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information and to understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your e-mail and website usage information with other information we have about you. If we combine this information with your PHI, we will treat all of that information as PHI, and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices.

You may opt-out of e-mail communications at any time by clicking on the Unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Diagnostic x-rays and other medical radiation procedures of the abdominal area also deserve extra attention during pregnancy.

This brochure is to help you understand the issues concerning x-ray exposure during pregnancy. Diagnostic x-rays can give the doctor important and even life-saving information about a person's medical condition. But like many things, diagnostic x-rays have risks as well as benefits. They should be used only when they will give the doctor information needed to treat you. You'll probably never need an abdominal x-ray during pregnancy. But sometimes, because of a particular medical condition, your physician may feel that a diagnostic x-ray of your abdomen or lower torso is needed.

If this should happen - don't be upset. The risk to you and your unborn child is very small, and the benefit of finding out about your medical condition is far greater. In fact, the risk of not having a needed x-ray could be much greater than the risk from the radiation.

But even small risks should not be taken if they're unnecessary. You can reduce those risks by telling your doctor if you are, or think you might be, pregnant whenever an abdominal x-ray is prescribed. If you are pregnant, the doctor may decide that it would be best to cancel the x-ray examination, to postpone it, or to modify it to reduce the amount of radiation.

Or, depending on your medical needs, and realizing that the risk is very small, the doctor may feel that it is best to proceed with the x-ray as planned. In any case, you should feel free to discuss the decision with your doctor.