CT-Scan/Please share your thoughts

[Anonymous]

If they are scanning for a PE, are they just looking at your lungs/chest? My casual googling indicates that if the scan is not directed at your belly, it's even less of a problem -- maybe they could do a lead apron over your belly if they don't need to see that part.

Just a random opinion -- if I were in your shoes, I would absolutely get the scan, especially because you are so far along in your pregnancy. I would think the risks are higher earlier on when the basic fetal structures are still forming -- at 32 weeks, your baby is basically "done," just needing to get bigger, stronger, lungs develop more, etc.

I had a CT scan when I was *not* pregnant, and the radiation made me nervous then too -- I believe it's equivalent to 3 years of average sun exposure. But it was the only way to diagnose or rule out ovarian cancer, and the thought of getting a nasty cancer and not being able to mother my two-year-old... I got the scan. I would think, in your case, the risks of a potential PE (i.e., death to you and your baby) would be much, much higher than potential risks of a CT to a third trimester pregnancy.

Good luck to you, OP.

[Anonymous]

OP again: I still haven't had the ct-scan done yet. Too scared and confused about how much it could affect the fetus and the above post that says the girl friend died after c-section because of the blood clot scared me to death!!!
After the first episode of shortness of breath....etc. I felt good for a week and then symptoms came back and docs at ER said I should have a ct scan to rule out the problem but they won't explain it more to me in terms of how much risk I should expect. Both my OB and primary care physician said it's Ok to have it BUT they said it's on my own risk. They REFUSED to give me an order to do it anywhere else other than the hospital and they said it is on my own risk if anything happen.
I am REALLY confused!!!!!

[Anonymous]

what happened OP?

[Anonymous]

My response may cause some frustration to some (if not all) of you who gave time to share their thoughts with me, BUT I haven't made a decision yet!!! In fact, only 2 days ago my OB wrote me an order to do a CT Scan w/contrast (by the way I get sick from contrast and wonder how bad it can be to the fetus). I am aware a PE can be deadly but nobody could tell me how minimal the side effects/ danger is to the baby! what made the worries even bigger is when I called to "schedule" a ct scan appointment this morning and the person I spoke to asked me if I have any idea of its dangers but she would share any ideas with me other than suggesting I should speak to my OB more about it!!!

[Anonymous]

Have you specifically asked your OB, "What are the risks to my fetus, at this stage of pregnancy, from the radiation I would be exposed to with a CT?" (EXACTLY what -- birth defects? cancer? preterm labor? WHAT?)

And, "What are the chances this is a PE?"
And, "If it IS a PE, what are the risks that would pose to me and to my fetus?" (EXACTLY what -- hemorrhage? death?)

You need to ask these questions frankly, with a pen and paper in front of you, and not accept anything less than a concrete answer. Doctors will never ORDER you to take a test, and they will never say there is NO risk (in part to cover their own asses), but a competent doctor should be able to tell you what the potential risks are.

It's kind of scary that you're stalling on this. I'm sure it's a stressful thing to be thinking about, but you need to get good information and make an informed decision.

[Anonymous]

To:23:05. Indeed I asked him all these questions and BELIEVE me the only answer he gave me is, he said:" if you happen to have a PE, you and the fetus will drop dead in a second and nobody can tell when, it can happen in any minute as long as we didn't role it out"!!!!
You are right, I am very scared to the fact I have hard time sleeping at night or doing much day time because I am postponing a serious test that I need more information about and my OB confirmed to me that nobody can enough info about.

[Anonymous]

I'm the physician PP. If I were your doctor, I would be documenting like crazy that you were offered the scan and have refused it so far (in case something bad happens to you and your family wants to sue). PE's are serious, like others have posted. They cause young people to die. They CAN be treated, though, with blood-thinning medications. You really should get the scan. Every intervention in medicine is a risk/benefit issue. Weigh the risks and benefits and make a decision. What's the risk to your fetus of the procedure? Minimal. What's the benefit of doing it? Could be life-saving. This is not being ordered in a cavalier way, in the way a lot of doctors over-order tests. As a pregnant woman you are truly at higher risk of clots. I'm a neurologist and I do MRI's on every pregnant woman I see with a headache because I fear they have a venous sinus thrombosis (blood clots in the brain). This is a true risk. It happens. PE happens to pregnant women, and you have the classic symptoms. I would get the scan. By the way, of COURSE the radiologist/radiology tech has to make those comments to you about the risk. They are also covering themselves from future lawsuits!!!

[Anonymous]

OP here: Thank you PP (doctor) for your comment. A few minutes before I opened the thread again, my husband was telling me that it might be best if I just decide to do the CT Scan. I was explaining to him that my fear is that if I do it and find out that I don't have a PE and then I will get even sicker thinking deep in my mind what if the radiation caused something bad to my fetus!!!!? I will be spending the remaining time until my scheduled c-section feeling miserable );

[Anonymous]

OP here again: I did the CT Scan last night and like I was trying to tell my OB that I don't think I have a PE. i don't HAVE ONE. Thanks be to God! and like I said in the previous post, I am now dealing with the hard thought of what might have happened to the baby from the radiation!!!!

[Anonymous]

hello. okay may i ask how far along are you ?? i am 19 weeks and went to the ER today because i have the flu and my chest was so tight and i couldnt breathe properly. they took lots of blood and ordered me a scan and an x ray. when i got to the CT scan i asked will this affect my baby the doctor came in and said okay if there is a blood clot in your lungs you could die and your baby could die however it MAY cause you to miscarry or the baby have developmental issues. the radiation that they put in your veins in my viens anyway is the absolute minimal amount the scan takes 2 minutes longer due to the minimal amount of radiation in my blood stream. i was so scared i didnt know what to do. i started crying and the nurse sat me down there and said to me that she has been doing it for 30 years and the other nurse has been doing it for 16 years. never had they ever had a baby been affected by the minimal amount of radiation at all. within 6 hours the amount in your blood drops to half, then in 6 more hours drops half again and and so on and you pee it all out she said so when you drink plenty of fluids and pee it out it will be better. she also said that the woman that have been pregnant for nine onths and been in teh radiation/nuclear medicine ward have more exposure and had perfectly healthy babies. they have not made it an exact science yet for them to say there are not risks for your baby. they have to cover their backs... so i just wanted to tell you that . i had my scan today and i have been peeing alot and that is all i can do... but I am healthy and i just have the flu but at least i am sure and that ican care for my baby as opposed to not knowing and it worrying me even more.....

[Anonymous]

OP - so glad to hear you had the scan and don't have a PE. I hope that gives you some peace of mind and you are able to enjoy the rest of your pregnancy. Perhaps instead of focusing on your fears, you could focus on the miracle that is happening in your body with your baby and look ahead to the happy day when you get to meet him or her. I wish that for you.

[Anonymous]

Oh, and I hope your doctor can figure out what is causing your symptoms!

[Anonymous]

OP Here: To 21:17: I am glad you feel content with the decision you had to make. I SINCERELY pray that you and your baby will live a healthy and happy life the very same way I wish it to myself and to every mom on earth.
To: 22:26: Thanks so much for your wishes. And again I DO pray that no mom will be put in this situation. Last night on my way to the ER, at the scan department and while waiting for the results and even after, I did nothing BUT crying. I had been so hard on me and my husband.
God bless you all.

[Anonymous]

Original OP and OP with the flu - try not to worry. I can write a longer post later but the American College of Obstetrics / Gynecology (ACOG) recommendations, if imaging is necessary are:

--Chest / Head CT: Safe since total dose < 1 rad
--Abd / Pelvis: Safe if only to be tested once: total dose: 3.5 rad
--Pelvis only: Safe total dose < 250 mrad.

I would assume your levels of radiation were 3.5 rad or less (most single diagnostic procedures are less than 1 rad) A few single studies are between 1-5 rads. You could follow-up with the radiologists and ask what level of rad you were exposed to.

GOOD LUCK

[Anonymous]

Thank you PP. I look forward to reading more from you.