Radiation

Evidence shows that any radiation above background levels can be harmful to the foetus.  Effects range from foetal loss to growth retardation, malformations, impaired brain function, and childhood cancer.

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has issued an excellent fact sheet sharing the evidence for harmful effects and incidences of pathology in relation to radiation dose.

The responsibility of protecting your unborn baby lies with you but employers should facilitate this by ensuring you minimise your radiation dose.  The International Atomic Energy Agency states that the foetal dose should be kept below 1mGy during your pregnancy.  You may want to avoid radiation completely but, if this is not possible or you wish to continue with some duties involving exposure, a personal dosimeter can be worn.  If this is worn over a lead apron, it is likely to overestimate the actual foetal dose by 100 times.  It could offer some reassurance!

You may be offered a second dosimeter badge to wear at your waste line, under lead to give a more accurate dosing guide.  This should be reviewed monthly.

If you cannot or do not wish to avoid radiation completely, simple precautions include wearing good lead coats (double lead may cause more problems with the weight!) and distancing yourself as much as possible from the radiation source.

Apart from the risk to the foetus, some evidence has also shown that the increase in breast tissue and hormonal changes of pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of radiation-associated breast cancer.