I Am a Pregnant DA ..is It Safe to Take Xrays While Pregnant?

Hi. You work with a doctor and you regularly see an OB. Why would you ask here and not ask them? No one here would have a clue.

I am not sure why you are not speaking to your employer about this. I can tell you that most of the dental assistants I know who were pregnant didn't take xrays while pregnant but then I go to larger practices. I do not know what the strict rules are.

If you're some kind of xray technician, or some type of certified medical assistant, there must be resources available to you. I'm thinking of either whomever licensed or certified you, or your supervisor, or some guidelines at the facility where you work (human resources, etc).

There will probably be very few people on this site who understand what a DA is (I also thought you were a district attorney at first), BW (black and white?), panos, and their implications on a pregnancy.

Perhaps a more professional forum or technical supervisor would be a helpful place to go for answers. I hope you can get the help that you need, and congratulations on your pregnancy!

This is something you should discuss with your ob/gyn right away.

You should also alert your employer. Surely they have run into this situation before and must have a protocol for dealing with this.

um. i myself would not want to do this, but how do you get to be a DA without the real risks and conditions of this being part of your training?
what does your boss say?
khairete
S.

You're a pregnant Dental Assistant?
There are more things than just x rays to be concerned about during your work day.
This article goes over things you need to keep an eye on:

https://www.dentalaegis.com/ida/2011/08/female-reproducti...

Welcome to mamapedia!!

Congratulations on your pregnancy!!

Now have you talked with your Dentist about this? You realize that NOT everyone knows what a DA is - they think District Attorney - I caught it - because my boys were at the dentist yesterday and I heard the word "pano" (panoramic xray).

You need to talk with your employer and your OB/GYN.

I personally wouldn't risk it. I did a quick search and came up with this one:
http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/x-rays-duri...

Not sure what a DA is but this sounds like a question to ask at your doctor appointments.

You're a dental assistant? Have you asked your OB/GYN their thought/opinion on this?

If you are wearing a lead vest and it covers your abdomen? I would say you are safe. I would hope the wall between you and the panoramic is lead-reenforced.

I'm confused. Maybe because DA means district attorney to me. You're obviously not an attorney. So what does.your DA mean?

If taking x-rays is administering them and not having them for yourself, have you told your supervisor you're pregnant!
I doubt they'd let you take them if pregnancy is unsafe.

Also ask your OB/GYN. We are not medical professionals and any answer you might receive may not be true.

Personally, I wouldn't. I've heard a lot about the danger of radiation exposure for x-ray techs, radiologists and other healthcare professionals. I've also heard that Radiologists have a very high rate of certain cancers like multiple myeloma. It makes you wonder if radiation is a factor.
I know a woman who went through fertility treatments and the doctor told her not to fly while going through treatment and if she got pregnant because there is a higher level of radiation while up in the air.
I think you should err on the side of caution. Of course I'm not a researcher, but that's my opinion for what its worth.

Funny - at first I thought you meant that you are a District Attorney!

This is a discussion for your dental assistant's association or professional organization (if you're a member of one), your school (where you received your training and certification), and your obstetrician. I find it hard to believe that this subject wasn't covered in depth in all 3 settings. You don't go to the mom forums on the internet for info like this, in my opinion.

Welcome to Mamapedia - always nice to have another person from Mt. Laurel, NJ. We sure seem to get a lot of people from that area.

Good luck with your inquiry and your pregnancy!

ask your ob and your employer what to do . i have no clue! but if it were me i wouldn't

You need to ask your OB/GYN and then talk to an X-ray doc, not one who takes the X-rays but the one who reads them and makes diagnoses. Ask them what risk you're putting your baby through.

No medical advice here... please talk to your OB immediately about this. And to your employer.

I, personally, would not want to risk it despite the precautions taken. Because you must TAKE precautions in the first place indicates to me that it is something I'd want to avoid during pregnancy. Heck, I even stepped away from the microwave oven when I was pregnant. No sense in taking totally unnecessary risks, no matter how small. If they're not necessary, then they're not necessary. You know?

Out of an abundance of caution, I would refrain. Unless someone gives you grief about it, then why take ANY risk (even if it is tiny)? If they do, get your research and sources in line to defend your position. Can't imagine they would require it.

And for Elena B.: BW is a bitewing x-ray. :)