Need to Know

HI S.,

Congratulations if you are pregnant! Here is some information regarding CAT scans and pregnancy. You might wish to reschedule, or ask if they will run a blood test which would confirm a pregnancy. Here's that web address: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/catscans...

Best of luck!
T.

You could try the First Response Pregnancy test, they detect 5 days before your missed period. But my real advice is to call the hospital or doctor who recommended the cat scan and tell them there is a possibility of pregnancy and you are wondering if the cat scan is ok. They will tell you what to do.

I copied the info below out of a website about CAT (or CT) scans. Though it seems to indicate that a baby would probably not suffer any adverse effects if the scan were done on your knee (verses your abdomen or pelvis), my personal opinion (as a former medical assistant and a mom of three) would be to make sure your technician knows that you MIGHT be pregnant. Then they will take precautions to cover your abdomen and pelvis thoroughly as they do the scan. Hope this helps!
J.

Pregnancy and x-rays
As with any aspect of medical care, knowing that a patient is or could be pregnant is important information. Pregnancy, for example, might explain certain symptoms or medical findings. When a pregnant patient is ill or injured, the physician will carefully select medications to avoid potential risks to the developing child. This is also true of x-rays.

While the vast majority of medical x-rays do not pose a critical risk to a developing child, there may be a small likelihood of causing a serious illness or other complication. The actual risk depends on how far along the pregnancy is and on the type of x-ray. Ultrasound studies, for example, don't use x-rays and have never demonstrated any potential for risk to a pregnancy. X-ray studies of the head, arms, legs and chest do not usually expose the baby directly to x-rays and typically the technologist who takes the x-rays will implement special precautions to ensure that the baby of a pregnant patient is not directly exposed.

Sometimes patients need examinations of the abdomen or pelvis while they are pregnant. When studies of the abdomen or pelvis are required, the physician may prefer to order a different type of exam for a pregnant patient or reduce the number of x-rays from that which are normally acquired. Therefore it is important that you inform your physician or the x-ray technologist about your reproductive status before the x-ray study is performed.

Most standard x-ray examinations of the abdomen are not likely to pose a serious risk to the child. Some abdominal and pelvic studies such as CT deliver greater amounts of radiation to a developing pregnancy. Informing the radiologist that you are or might be pregnant is important so that your medical care can be planned with both you and your baby in mind. Remember, this is done to optimize medical care by reducing any potential risk.

Hello S., Re-schedule, please, until you know whether you are pregnant or not. As the old adage says: "Better Safe, then sorry." Good luck.

Any time a procedure is done they ask if you are pregnant.
If you are or think you are they will use a thick shield that protects you and then there is no need to worry.
E.

Call the doctor's office where you're having the scan done and ask them, they are the only ones who can tell you for sure or not whether you should reschedule until you know. I had an MRI done of my knee and it was done in an extremity only machine, so nothing but my leg was scanned, which would probably be better than a full ct scan. Ask them though!

Hey! I know they will ask you if you could be pregnant before you have it done. Tell them you aren't sure and think you need a pregnancy test done before they do it. They will do a blood test on you which will definitely show up by now if you are preg. Good Luck
A.

They don't do x'rays or any of that type if you are or think you maybe pregnant

I would reschedual the appt. It can cause harm to ur fetus if u are pregnant. better safe then sorry.

You could wait. They can also cover you with lead, so that the baby does not get any or alot less ratiation.

they usually ask as a standard.. is there any chance you could be pregnant if there is a risk. I wouldn't take any chances.. call them ahead of time and tell them.. I think I might be... can we reschedule this... ask the doctor that ordered the scan for your knee how long is acceptable to wait until you know for sure.. because what if you test negative because it is too early.. but still don't start your period... then you'll still be wondering.. and testing again. (I tested 5 times within a week or more until I finally had a definite positive result with one of mine!)

Hello S.,
I work in the medical field & yes CT Scans do give off radiation which can harm pregnant women. You can call & double check with the radiologists, but I'm pretty positive. I'd reschedule just in case. Take care.
M.

I wasn't able to have a Cat Scan when I was pregnant. The doctor told me if it was a life threatening/urgent situation, they'll do the scan but if it's not an emergency why take chances?

Call your OB and get a blood test done. You can usually get lab work done pretty quickly without having to schedule an actual appointment. Let them know your upcoming CT and that you think you might be pregnant. Then you won't have to cancel your scan if you're not.

i'm not sure exactly how a cat scan works, but i know you are not supposed to get an x-ray while your pregnant, atleast up until about 8 months because it could affect the babies development