FAMILY MEDICAL CARE: X-RAYS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

Thirty years ago, it was almost routine for pregnant women to have a radiological procedure called “pelvimetry” carried out.

This was aimed at measuring the bony outlet of the pelvis, and assessing if there was adequate room for the baby to pass freely through during labour and the delivery.

However, in recent years, the full force of the power of X-rays on rapidly dividing foetal cells has become more apparent.

Radiation damage and the possible development of genetic mutants is universally recognized. Therefore, the wild enthusiasm for radiography has come to an abrupt full-stop during pregnancy.

Now, every effort is made to protect women hospitals, X-rays of the pelvis or abdominal areas will be carried out only when it is known for certain that pregnancy does not exist.

Considerable efforts are made to this end. In some instances, X-rays during pregnancy may be essential. Under these circumstances, special precautions are available for the mother and infant who are at special risk. The practical application of this lies in a pregnant woman inadvertently subjecting herself to X-ray doses without thought.

In many areas, mass radiography is still carried out. It is wise to consider this if you are invited to attend for these purposes, or to embark on any mass screening system. As one obstetrics expert recently wrote: ”No female who might be pregnant should ever undergo any pelvic radiological investigation in the second half of the menstrual cycle.”