Many nursing women, for one reason or another, are forced to undergo various medical studies. An x-ray during breastfeeding is also necessary. Each mom thinks before the procedure how it will affect breast milk and whether it will become harmful to the baby. Before undergoing research, you need to make sure whether it is really necessary. Some doctors claim that breastfeeding should be postponed for some time. But modern research has proven that this statement is baseless.
Is x-ray harmful?
X-rays (electromagnetic radiation) are able to penetrate the human body. X-rays are a source of radiation. In large doses, it is naturally dangerous. This applies to a greater degree to manufacturing industries, where these doses are very large. In a medical study, whether it is an X-ray of a leg, arm or chest, if the procedure is performed on working equipment in accordance with all standards, radiation is not dangerous, since the minimum dose is used. Women should understand that in some cases, these studies are extremely important: suspected fractures, complications after SARS, prolonged cough, persistent runny nose, acute pain in the digestive tract, the likelihood of bronchitis, sinusitis, pneumonia and so on. In such cases, an X-ray examination is necessary to prevent a threat to the woman's life. Most doctors assure that the x-ray during breastfeeding is not at all dangerous, does not affect the quality of milk and the health of the baby and mother.
When is it better to refuse?
Although the radiation dose is minimal, the procedure is not recommended often. If you are invited to take an x-ray during breastfeeding, for example, when undergoing a medical examination or just in case, it is better to refuse. It is always necessary to compare possible risks and the actual need for an examination. You should always remember that x-rays are a source of radiation, albeit minimal.
The effect of x-rays on breast milk
Modern studies confirm that during lactation a woman may well undergo an X-ray examination. X-rays do not have any negative effect on breast milk, its composition does not change, and there is no need to wean the baby from the breast. However, some doctors, answering the question whether it is possible to do an x-ray to a nursing mother, giving a positive answer, while recommending interrupting feeding for a short period in some cases. In particular, if an X-ray of the stomach was performed when contrast agents are used during the procedure to improve the visualization of tissues and internal organs. Some experts recommend during lactation to refrain from consuming products containing iodine.
X-ray materials and breast milk
But there is an opinion that the substances that are used to conduct x-rays have iodine molecules that covalently bind to the base, so there are very few of them in the free state. Therefore, there is no risk to the child, and the effect of the substance on milk is considered harmless. In addition, the half-life in the body takes less than one hour, the bioavailability through milk of this element is reduced to almost zero.
An x-ray during breastfeeding is, in principle, not dangerous, but in order to be safe, manufacturers of materials for x-ray studies usually give recommendations that during lactation it is necessary to take a break after an examination for a day. If approached objectively, then such a need is unprincipled.
Barium, which is often used, is not absorbed by the body, the substance in no way affects the quality of breast milk. Such statements are made by manufacturing companies and doctors who do not want to take any responsibility for any consequences after the study using x-rays.
Preparation for the procedure
To minimize any risks that, according to some opinions, may arise if you have to do an x-ray of the leg, internal organs, other parts of the body, follow some recommendations:
- Do x-rays only in cases of emergency, if there is a risk of developing some kind of dangerous disease.
- Before the examination, as some experts recommend, feed the baby, after that, do not give him breasts for two hours.
- If mom still fears for the baby’s health, despite all the assurances that the procedure is safe, you can simply express the milk that was in the chest during the x-ray and pour it out.
- During the procedure, require a protective apron. As a rule, it is given to pregnant women, although such protection is laid on everyone, regardless of position.
- If a maternity hospital is forced to undergo fluorography, and a year has not passed since the last study, you have the right to refuse. The validity date of the fluorography pass is one year.
X-ray examination. Benefit or harm?
If there is at least some suspicion of complications, injuries, it is necessary to undergo an X-ray examination. Is it good or bad? As mentioned above, it is necessary to soberly assess the situation and make a choice. The benefits of the procedure are obvious. An X-ray will help to clarify the clinical picture, and if there is a need and indications, the doctor will be able to prescribe timely treatment. The x-ray will not cause harm when breastfeeding. Rays in no way affect the composition of milk, which means that it will not be harmful to the baby. Moreover, immediately after the procedure, the action of the rays ceases, it does not have a cumulative effect. No harmful substances are required to be removed from the body.
MRI
We found out how an x-ray affects a mother’s body when breastfeeding. "Can I have an MRI?" - a logical question arises. Magnetic resonance imaging also does not carry side effects and does not affect breast milk. When conducting MRI, gadopentetoic acid is used as a contrast material. The half-life of the compound is less than an hour, for six hours it is completely removed from the human body.
There is information that the level of gadopentetoic acid in breast milk is too low. Within a day after the study, only 0.23 percent of the dose can be isolated from breast milk. In addition, when taken orally, the bioavailability of gadalinium products is equivalent to 0.8 percent. Therefore, there is no reason after the MRI procedure to stop breastfeeding. Although material manufacturers are advised to take a break for 24 hours. Doctors do not notice any side effects in those children whose moms used contrast agents and underwent MRI studies.
Radioisotopes
Sometimes for examinations you have to use radioactive substances. Often they are used to study the heart, thyroid gland, various neoplasms. For the study as a whole, the dose is taken much less than for the therapeutic effect. If you have to use radioactive substances while breastfeeding, you usually have to wean the baby for a while. Harmful substances can accumulate in milk and can harm the baby. The cessation of feeding will depend on the dose and type of substance.
Together with the doctor, mom should discuss any research options (ultrasound, blood tests, MRI, CT). It is necessary to fully verify the necessity of using radioactive substances and choose with the least short decay period.
If the decision to use radioisotopes is made, the mother must pre-express the required amount of milk at the time the baby is weaned. Radioisotopes usually have short periods of decay, are quickly excreted from the body and do not create special difficulties and problems when breastfeeding.
The effect of x-rays on the body
X-ray examination uses rays. Other forms of electromagnetic radiation may be radio waves or light. X-rays are characterized by a short wavelength, which gives a higher and targeted penetration.
Why is x-ray dangerous? A high degree of penetration makes the rays harmful to the human body. X-ray is one of the types of radiation. When passing through tissues and cells, the rays interact with molecules, an ionization process occurs. Complex molecules and atoms are broken by rays into charged particles. Radiation of high intensity is considered dangerous if it is exposed for a long time. Effects due to the action of x-ray and other ionizing radiation:
- Temporary change in blood composition after excess exposure.
- Cataracts are possible.
- The development of cancer (including leukemia).
- Rapid aging, premature death.
Biological experiments carried out on rabbits and mice have proved that constant irradiation even in small doses leads to a malfunction of the genetic program. Many scientists recognize the similar effect of large doses on the human body.
Security level
With rational and careful use, an x-ray of the chest organs does not harm health, like many other procedures. Radiologists and nurses who have undergone special training are allowed to conduct the examination. They use minimal doses of radiation that are not harmful to health and allow for a qualitative study.
The x-ray beam affects the human body only at the moment when the device turns on. Moreover, the exposure duration is only a few milliseconds. To protect areas that do not need research, lead apron plates are used. The fact is that lead, having a high density, does not transmit x-rays. This makes it possible to protect against excessive doses of radiation.