X-Ray
Autumn Vaughn
the risk of X-Rays during pregnancy
X-rays during pregnancy don't increase the risk of miscarriage or cause problems in the unborn baby, such as birth defects and physical or mental development problems.
However, repeated exposure to radiation can damage the body's cells, which can increase the risk of cancer developing. This is why the dose of radiation used in an X-ray is always as low as possible.
X-rays during pregnancy carry a very small risk of exposing the unborn baby to radiation, which could cause cancer to develop during his or her childhood. The natural risk of childhood cancer is around 1 in 500.
With most X-rays, the dose the unborn baby may receive is up to about 1 mGy.
During dental X-rays, lead aprons are no longer routinely used to protect the abdomen or pelvis as most dental X-rays don't affect this area. Also, the dose of radiation in dental X-rays is so low there's virtually no risk to the unborn baby.
However, in very rare cases, the angle of the X-ray beam needed to take a dental X-ray may affect the pelvic area. If you need a dental X-ray like this that can't wait until you've had your baby, your dentist may cover your abdomen with a lead apron while the X-ray is carried out.