Question about radiation.....

Hey everyone!  I know I usually ask stupid questions but this one is really serious!  

Okay so I know that radiation will hurt a fetus.  Well I am a vet tech and part of my job is to take x-rays every day.  I take an average of 12 shots in one day.  Now if I am wearing my protective lead suit will the radiation still hurt the fetus?  

Are there any radiology techs out there who can give me some insight?  Like am I going to hurt the baby who might be in my uterus?  

i would ask your doctor.

I'm a practice manager in a feline only hospital. There is no such thing as a safe amount of radiation. No amount is the best. If you are pregnant, tell your manager/boss right away and request no exposure to xrays and also good idea not to be around waste anesthic gasses.
Good luck!

my sister is a radiology tech and she specifically chose the mammography field because its the only one where a pregnant woman can work for most of the pregnancy. the levels of radiation used is not harmful in small doses, but being around it all day long is very hamrful. i would not trust those lead vests to protect you the way you need it.

Quoting Tippie:“ my sister is a radiology tech and she specifically chose the mammography field because its the only one ... [snip!] ... doses, but being around it all day long is very hamrful. i would not trust those lead vests to protect you the way you need it.”

^ditto
protective gear does not protect you from all scatter.
as a tech you can sign up at vspn.org and there are a few discussions there about being pregnant and xrays.

I've been an xray tech for 9.5 years and actually all techs (that I know of) continue to work in the field independant of their specialty. The controls are always behind leaded walls/glass and in the event that you have to be in the room you wear lead. Radiation exposure levels should be kept as low as possible by distance (exposure decrease exponentially to the distance from the source of radiation) and shielding. Xray techs are always monitored for radiation doses and additional fetal monitoring is done when an employee is pregnant. How radiation affects any person is dose and duration related to a particular site, the fetus is considered particularly suseptible (especially in early pregnancy)because of it's rapid cell division and changes, butin most case should not be affected as long as it is not receiving direct radiation exposure.

Do you know the kvp and mas settings you are using on average? Are you holding the animals or are you far away from the xray tube? It is unlikely that any harm has been done to your baby so you shouldn't worry about what is done. However, you should try to keep your exposure to a minimum by getting as far away from the beam as possible and by shielding yourself. Most people greatly fear radiation without realizing that a 1/2 hour of sun exposure produces more exposure than the standard chest xray.

Quoting Failli:“ ^ditto protective gear does not protect you from all scatter. as a tech you can sign up at vspn.org and there are a few discussions there about being pregnant and xrays. ”

Thank you so much for your help!  :-) I am going to go to that web sight.  I asked my doctor last time I was prego (I had a miscarriage though) and she was very unhelpful!  Thank you for all your help.  I have been thinking about taking another job part time very soon and switching to full time at this job soon as well.  It is a secretary job at a plastic surgeons office and though I do not want to leave the job I love, I also do not want to hurt my baby (if there is actually one there). 

Quoting Mom 2 B and Mom to 3:“ I've been an xray tech for 9.5 years and actually all techs (that I know of) continue to work in the ... [snip!] ... greatly fear radiation without realizing that a 1/2 hour of sun exposure produces more exposure than the standard chest xray.”

That was very helpful thank you!  I am actually holding the animal with my hand about 2 inches away from the viewing light (where the x-ray is shot).  I do wear gloves, thyroid mask, glasses, and gown.  But I am still so freaking scared!  Also nothing is ever monitored!  EVER!  Like we wear our badges and the results are posted but I do not know how to read them to be honest, and the doctor who is the owner of the hospital does not even look at them.  Our x-rays are digital, does that change anything?  Is there less radiation with the digital? 

Quoting -*-Kristen-*-:“ That was very helpful thank you! I am actually holding the animal with my hand about 2 inches away ... [snip!] ... light (where the x-ray is shot). I do wear gloves, thyroid mask, glasses, and gown. But I am still so freaking scared! ”

Do you know the machine settings? And also are you able to collimate (that is to make the light field smaller)? Is there anyone else that assists you while your doing xrays (like are you holding and someone else is shooting)? Perhaps you could switch, if so. Depending on the settings that does seem a large number a day to be so close to.

oh sorry, I missed the last part of your question about digital xrays. That's a tricky answer because there are several factors to consider. We have a brand new digital room at my hospital and it has faster screens than the film so technique drops and dose is dropped, that is less radiation. It may also be considered less because there are fewer repeat xrays (I can't imagine this is as much of an issue for you). On the flip side since digital xrays can be tweaked afterward as long as you've penetrated the part some may be tempted to overpenetrate thus using more than is necessary (which may be more, the sameor less than film radiography but higher than necessary). Of course, the last practice is not advised and shouldn't be used, proper technique should always be used. Anyway, the answer should be yes, the dose should be less if the equipment is being used properly.

Quoting Mom 2 B and Mom to 3:“ Do you know the machine settings? And also are you able to collimate (that is to make the light field ... [snip!] ... is shooting)? Perhaps you could switch, if so. Depending on the settings that does seem a large number a day to be so close to.”

We are both holding and I am usually the one holding and shooting.  The settings always change.  They can range from 80-110 kV, 2-5 ma, (I think that is right)  I cannot remember kV,mas, and ma exactly.  Sorry:-( I do not think I should be a vet tech for a while....:-( 

Quoting Mom 2 B and Mom to 3:“ oh sorry, I missed the last part of your question about digital xrays. That's a tricky answer because ... [snip!] ... should always be used. Anyway, the answer should be yes, the dose should be less if the equipment is being used properly.”

Thank you so much:-) You are very helpful!  I am just scared because I can not go up to my boss and say "I think I may be pregnant but I am not sure yet because I have to wait 7 more days to test but any who I do not think I should be taking x-rays anymore because of the risks."  He is in no way supportive and about 6 months ago hired a woman then found out she was trying to conceive and then fired her..or un-hired her.  He is really old fashion and since I am not married yet, he probably would very unaccepting.  Ehhhh.....I think I should start looking for a new job 

Ok so They are right that No amount of radiation is good, but apparently a little isn't harmful. That said My cousin is (more accurately now was since she's a SAHM) believes that an incident with an x-ray may have been the cause of her child being born with heart & Lung (due to heart) problems. Long story short she didn't think she was pregnant stepped in to help with an x-ray without the gear, and 2 days later something told her to test, and she was pregnant, with her first. HOWEVER we just had another cousin who had a baby(third) with the Exact Same problems, and there would be little to no radiation exposure with her. And these 2 cousins are both directly related (same grandparents) so it is more likely a random or genetic anomaly. But how to make her believe that? Even the Dr.'s have told my Cousin she didn't do this to her baby. My research into this condition says that it's common in overweight Mothers, which the first one is, and the second one most definitely is not. Many factors contribute, but Radiation exposure shouldn't be toyed with IMHO.