Medically reviewed by Michelle Goñi, MD, Susan Kerrigan, MD and Marianne Madsen
Pregnancy is such an exciting time! But you also worry–a lot. You are trying to take care of yourself as well as your unborn child and promote your baby’s health while taking extra precautions not to do anything that might endanger it. You worry about eating the right foods, quitting smoking and alcohol, and being careful about any medications you take.
Therefore, the possibility of exposing your unborn child to any levels of radiation will be extremely concerning.
Can radiation affect your pregnancy?
According to the CDC, “Most of the ways a pregnant woman may be exposed to radiation, such as from a diagnostic medical exam or an occupational exposure within regulatory limits, are not likely to cause health effects for a fetus.”
However, they warn that exposure to radiation above 0.5 gray (Gy) (the international dose unit for the amount of radiation absorbed by a person or object) may have severe consequences.
When is the fetus most sensitive to radiation?
According to one study, an unborn child’s sensitivity to high radiation effects is most significant between the 8th and 15th week of pregnancy.
Other sources extend that to between week 2 and week 18. According to the CDC, before week 2, there is a risk of death to the unborn baby. Post week 18, the sensitivity is no greater than a newborn.
What are the types of radiation you might be exposed to?
The most common types of higher-level radiation that a person might be exposed to are medical imaging and cosmic radiation.
X-rays: If you are pregnant, your doctor will only request an X-ray if it is essential in diagnosing a condition. Most X-rays that are not around your lower torso, such as those of the head or arms and legs, should be of no risk to your unborn child. Even if the X-ray is done around areas such as the abdomen, kidneys, or lower back, that does not mean there is a high risk to the fetus. If you need to have an X-ray, be sure to ask for a protective apron.
According to the FDA, there is scientific disagreement about whether any amount of radiation can harm your unborn child. With this in mind, many radiology departments will adhere to certain best practices to avoid exposing any women to radiation that might affect a pregnancy. One such approach is the 10-day rule, where it is preferable to perform an X-ray of the lower torso on a woman who has any possibility of becoming pregnant within 10 days of the onset of menstruation because this is the time when a woman is least likely to be pregnant. When it comes to having X-rays, if you have missed a period, it’s best to assume you are pregnant until you find out you aren’t.
The question of what is a safe level of radiation exposure is a moot point. Suppose your doctor believes that you must have an x-ray for your health and, thus, the health of your baby. In that case, the radiation level depends on the amount needed for that procedure. Work with your healthcare team to protect your baby as much as possible.
Cosmic Radiation and Air Travel: “Cosmic radiation” is the radiation that is emitted by atoms moving through space. It is most commonly associated with air travel, and it is definitely a type of radiation. Exposure levels are more significant at higher altitudes.
For the occasional traveler, the radiation risks posed by in-flight cosmic radiation is minimal. If you are a more frequent flyer or are a crew member, work with your employer or adjust your schedule to reduce your flying time.
If you are pregnant, the chances of you or your unborn child being affected by low-level radiation are considered minimal. In all cases, before exposing yourself to any higher level of radiation, consult your doctor. Work with your healthcare team to assess whether the examination or exposure is necessary, and if so, discuss any risks that may be involved.
Written by Chaim Ford
References
- What can I do to promote a healthy pregnancy?
- Radiation and Pregnancy: Information for Clinicians
- EPA: Radiation Terms and Units
- Radiation exposure and pregnancy
- Radiation and Pregnancy: A Fact Sheet for the Public
- X-Rays, Pregnancy and You
- Radiation protection of pregnant women in radiology
- Radiation from Space (Cosmic Radiation)
- In-Flight Radiation Exposure During Pregnancy