Xray in third trimester - please reassure me

[Skittles11]

Hi all

Really just hoping for some reassurance - please don't tell me anything worrying as this will just increase my already existing anxiety.

I was in for an appointment at the hospital at 31 weeks pregnant and the staff were concerned that my oxygen was on the low side and heart rate on the high side. I've been struggling with shortness of breath for weeks.

They wanted to run extra tests and one of these was a chest xray.

After long discussion, I consented to the chest xray and had discussion with both the doctor and the person carrying out the xray about my concerns being pregnant. They explained the radiation is really low and equivalent to about 10 days just living normal life. I was also reassured that the xray would be specific to my chest therefore not near my stomach.

The xray found nothing which is good but I am fretting about any potential damage. Has anyone else had to have an xray when pregnant? Please can anyone reassure me? X x

[CassieJ]

I really relate to the worry of this. I had to have one with my daughter and also an MRI. I was so scared for her I cried silently the whole time in the machine-grim I had to have one as they were concerned at one point I had PE (luckily didn’t). Think they compare the radiation to a flight-if that helps. Everything was completely fine. Baby girl arrived utterly safe and sound. She was a strapping 8lbs 2oz too (hilarious as everyone had given me a ton of meds to make sure she was a good size post scaring). Sending lots of love-horrible to feel worried but I’m so incredibly happy hear you’re in the third trimesterX

[Keggles36]

Hi there.

I've not had one personally, and can understand why you're concerned. They used to be quite high in radiation, but with new technology it's a REALLY low amount and it's really targeted to the right area. You're also far on now, so not at the crucial developmental stage in first trimester or so.

I'm a midwife and have had a few women who have needed x-rays for different reasons in my career - and all the babies have been absolutely fine ❤️

I know it's easy for me to say (and hypocritical as I spent my consultant appointment yesterday literally crying about nothing and to the point they offered me IOL for anxiety) but try not to worry, it'll be fine xxx

[Elly5287]

I work in radiology and we do chest xrays quite often on pregnant ladies. The worse times to have an xray would be in the first 12 weeks when the cells are still multiplying, at 31 weeks your baby is pretty well cooked so minimal risk. And even if you had an xray early on, the amount of radiation for a chest xray is tiny, and wouldn't be directed at baby either, So don't panic. X

[Eternalwarrior]

Hello lovely, I got Covid when I was pregnant with my son and was very unwell and struggling with my breathing. They advised ro do an X-ray to check my lungs and told me the radiation these days is minimum and it is safe for pregnant women to have a chest x-ray. I was a couple of weeks behind you, at the end of the second trimester, beginning of the third. It was all fine xxx it is normal to worry as I was the same as you xx Take care