Pregnancy & x-ray

[X-ray]

I am very worried.

Two weeks ago I was admitted to the A&E at a hospital for a medical condition.  The doctor ordered an x-ray done.

I was asked to sign a form to declare that I am not pregnant.  As my husband and I are trying, I did not want to sign it.

As a result, the technician put an abdomen shield on me before taking my chest x-ray.

Today, I found out that I am pregnant!

I think the baby was conceived around 3 to 4 weeks ago.

Does anybody out there know the harms of x-rays in very early stages of pregnancy??  Please help.

As mentioned, I did have an abdomen shield before the chest x-ray was taken.

Thanks a lot.

[Probably OK]

You're probably ok and should check with your OB/GYN for reassurance.  

Based on what I know and have read radiation exposure is not good for pregnant women or their fetuses, but if a fetus is accidentally exposed to a small amount of radiation (from a chest x-ray for example), it is extremely unlikely that any damage will result.  You did the right thing by informing the technician and wearing a shield...plus, the x-ray was of your chest not abdomen.  

Also, I did a brief search on this and found the following --it's not your exact case (since you had a chest x-ray, but it's close enough)--

Dental x-rays in pregnancy
by Christine Hill

Having only just found out that I am pregnant. I am concerned that just after my last period I visited the dentist and they took a small X-ray of my teeth. Would this have an effect on my baby?
Dawn

Dear Dawn
There’s absolutely no need for you to worry. X-ray machines today give tiny doses of radiation and are directed at a highly localised area. You receive more if you sit in the sun for 10 minutes.
Good luck with your pregnancy.
Christine Hill
Antenatal Expert

[This message has been edited by BoardManager (edited 08-12-2003).]

[Bindy]

I got a chest xray, just like you at early days of my pregnancy. After I found out, my doctor has assured me that it would not harm the baby at that early stages.... I don't know, may be he was just trying to give a bit of relief... But I have a perfect baby now, if it helps you to feel better.

[pls don't worry]

I too had a chest x ray when i was 2 weeks pregnant (I didn't know) and then teeth xrays at the dentist with a shield!!
I was worried sick that there might be something wrong with the development of my baby and looked into it.
The most reassurance I got was from my Ob gyn who said about getting more radiation from the sun in 10 mins (as the previous poster stated) he put my mind at rest.  I am now 28 weeks pregnant and touch wood everything is developing fine...
Pls try not to worry... it's probably worse for us than the small dose of radiation!!

[X-ray]

Thank you very much for the replies.  I've done a bit of research and reading myself and found that there is virtually no harm.

We are seeing a gynae for the first time today and will double check with her.  Hope everything goes well.  Thanks.