- With Mayo Clinic obstetrician and medical editor-in-chief
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
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Roger W. Harms, M.D.
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
"Nothing helps people stay healthy more than the power of real knowledge about health." — Dr. Roger Harms
As medical director of content, Dr. Roger Harms is excited about the potential for Mayo Clinic's health information site to help educate people about their health and provide them the tools and information to live healthier lives.
The Auburn, Neb., native has been with Mayo Clinic since 1981 and is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Harms is a practicing physician and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, and his specialty areas include office gynecology, high-risk obstetrics and obstetrical ultrasound.
From 2002 to 2007, Dr. Harms was director for education at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dr. Harms was the 1988 Mayo Medical School Teacher of the Year and served as associate dean for student affairs and academic affairs. He is the co-author of the "Mayo Clinic Model of Education." In 2008, Dr. Harms was presented the Distinguished Educator Award, Mayo Clinic, Rochester.
Dr. Harms is vice chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and medical editor of the Pregnancy section on this website. In addition, Dr. Harms is editor-in-chief of the "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" book, a month-by-month guide to everything a woman needs to know about having a baby.
"My medical education experience has grown out of a love of teaching, and that is what this site is about," Dr. Harms says. "If any visitor to this site makes a more informed and thus more comfortable decision about his or her health because of the information we provide, we are successful."
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Question
X-ray during pregnancy: Is it safe?
Is it safe to have an X-ray during pregnancy?
Answer
from Roger W. Harms, M.D.
It may surprise you, but having an X-ray during pregnancy is generally considered safe. In most cases, the benefits of an X-ray during pregnancy outweigh the potential risks.
When you have an abdominal X-ray during pregnancy, your developing baby is exposed to radiation. If radiation causes changes in your baby's rapidly growing cells, it's possible that your baby could be at a slightly higher risk of birth defects or illnesses, such as leukemia, later in life. Generally, however, having an X-ray during pregnancy is thought to pose only the most remote risk to a developing baby. Most X-ray exams — including those of your arms, legs, head, teeth or chest — won't expose your reproductive organs or your baby to radiation. A leaded apron and collar also can be worn to block any scattered radiation.
If you need an X-ray, tell your health care provider if you are or might be pregnant. Your health care provider might be able to do an ultrasound instead of an X-ray. In addition, if you have a child who needs an X-ray exam, don't hold your child during the exam if you are or might be pregnant. Instead, ask another person to take your place.
If you had an X-ray exam before you knew you were pregnant, don't panic. Remember the risk is very small. If you had radiation treatment for a condition, however, the risks may be more significant. Share any concerns about radiation exposure with your health care provider.
Next questionAspirin during pregnancy: Is it safe?
- Pregnancy and X-ray safety. American Society of Radiologic Technologists. https://www.asrt.org/content/ThePublic/AboutRadiologicProcedures/PregnancyandXraySafety.aspx. Accessed Dec. 1, 2009.
- X-rays, pregnancy and you. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/MedicalImaging/MedicalX-Rays/ucm142632.htm. Accessed Dec. 1, 2009.
- Safety: Radiation exposure in X-ray examinations. Radiologic Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/safety/index.cfm?pg=sfty_xray. Accessed Dec. 1, 2009.
- X-ray radiation. National Toxicology Program. http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/common/Xrays.html#X-rays%20and%20Pregnancy. Accessed Dec. 1, 2009.
- Reducing radiation from medical X-rays. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm095505.htm. Accessed Dec. 1, 2009.
- Pregnancy: Frequently asked questions. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/public/topics/pregnancy_faq.asp. Accessed Dec. 2, 2009.
- Kruskal JB. Diagnostic imaging procedures during pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 4, 2009.
- Harms RW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 8, 2009.
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