X rays during early pregnancy ??

X-rays can harm an unborn baby.

If a baby receives more than 5,000 millirads of radiation from x-rays before birth, the baby might have birth defects.

The x-rays might cause leukemia.

Most x-rays give much smaller doses of radiation than this.

For example, during an x-ray of the legs, only 1 millirad is absorbed.

Although only a small amount of radiation may be absorbed, x-rays should be avoided, especially in early pregnancy.

This is why x-ray technologists may ask when you had your last menstrual period before taking an x-ray.

X-ray studies are done during pregnancy only in urgent cases.

For example, you may have an x-ray if you have a broken bone, to check for pneumonia, or to look for kidney stones.

When taking an x-ray, the technologist should put a lead apron over you to protect the baby.

However, this may not be possible if the apron will interfere with the necessary views (for example, x-rays of the chest).

Ultrasound machines do not use radiation. Often an ultrasound scan can be done instead of an x-ray.