The entire population undergoes a fluorographic examination once a year to identify diseases of the respiratory organs. This method of examination allows us to identify not only tuberculosis, but also diseases of the skeleton, diaphragm, great vessels and heart. Fluorography helps to identify malignant and benign tumors at the earliest stages. When planning pregnancy, fluorography is recommended by some doctors so that the woman can be confident in good health. Everything would be fine, but in some countries such a procedure is not recommended, since the radiation dose is considered large, and it is not always possible to detect tuberculosis at an early stage.
When planning a pregnancy
Everyone knows how important it is to detect serious diseases in a timely manner. Medical examinations, which include fluorography, help with this. After all, it is much easier to cure a disease at an initial rather than an advanced stage.
Fluorography is a medical study that is aimed at assessing the condition and early diagnosis of many serious pathologies of internal organs. Thanks to this, it is possible to identify diseases of the lungs and cardiovascular system, bone apparatus, oncological tumors, and tuberculosis.
It is definitely recommended to undergo fluorography when planning a pregnancy, as this helps the expectant mother avoid many health problems. Moreover, fluorography before conception is mandatory not only for women, but also for men.
Is fluorography and pregnancy planning compatible? The main concerns of women are that the radiation used in the research causes serious harm to women's health and can have a detrimental effect on planned conception.
To date, there is no evidence in medical practice of the negative impact of the procedure. Many experts are absolutely sure that during the examination a person receives minimal doses of radiation, which are practically harmless. And there is scientific confirmation of this.
- During one film fluorography procedure using an old-type device, the patient receives radiation exposure in the amount of 700-800 microsieverts. This is the maximum figure, which may be less if modern equipment is used. With a digital fluorograph, the dose is an order of magnitude lower – about 60 microsieverts.
- The permissible annual rate of radiation exposure for humans is 3000-5000 microsieverts.
Accordingly, conducting one preventive study throughout the year will not cause harm to health. Fluorography before pregnancy is recommended by all gynecologists, as it allows you to detect the initial stages of diseases in time and avoid possible pathologies of the fetus.
Should I be afraid of x-rays?
When it comes to X-ray examination, the expectant mother is afraid that after her irradiation a child may be born with developmental pathologies.
The origins of this belief are that dividing cells are indeed very sensitive to X-rays.
However, when planning a pregnancy, X-rays are not taken of the embryo at the stage of formation, and besides, the egg has not even been fertilized yet, so, in general, there is nothing to be afraid of. In addition, the permissible radiation dose is about 5,000 microsieverts over the course of a year. And the radiation dose received, for example, during fluorography, is 800 μSv.
Sources
- https://7mam.ru/rentgen-pri-planirovanii-beremennosti/
- https://rojaismelo.ru/analizy-rebenka/cherez-skolko-posle-rentgena-zuba-mozhno-beremenet
- https://MyZachatie.ru/planirovanie/posle-rentgena-kogda-mozhno-beremenet.html
- https://farcry-3-mods.ru/cherez-skolko-mozhno-beremenet-posle-flyuorografii/
- https://diagnostinfo.ru/rentgenografiya/interesnoe/kogda-mojno-planirovat-beremennost-posle-rentgena.html
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When can it be done
When is the best time to undergo a fluorographic examination when planning a pregnancy and can this be done on any day of the cycle?
For the woman herself, the photograph is harmless, but it can cause some harm to the fertilized egg, since the embryo is very sensitive to any influence.
The optimal period is considered to be the first week of the menstrual cycle - that is, immediately during menstruation or for several days after it. This period is considered the safest. After all, if you have your period, it means you are definitely not pregnant.
Before doing fluorography, be sure to warn your doctor that you are planning a pregnancy in the near future. In such cases, women are given a special protective apron that completely covers the reproductive organs from radiation.
Carrying out fluorography during the first week of the cycle can minimize the risk for a patient planning a pregnancy. It is recommended to use protection throughout this menstrual cycle.
How long before you can get pregnant after fluorography? Throughout the entire menstrual cycle, during which fluorographic examination was carried out, many doctors recommend abandoning planning. In their opinion, you should wait at least 4 weeks before conceiving a child. But there is another position: if the procedure was carried out at the beginning of the cycle, then it is not harmful to future conception.
A few words in favor of fluorography
According to our legislation, fluorography must be performed annually. As you know, it is included in the standard medical examination that all working people undergo. But most women planning a pregnancy refuse this examination, citing possible harm to their health and the health of the unborn child. It is worth taking a closer look at whether there is a real health risk or whether it is just speculation.
It is a very common belief that fluorographic examination has a very harmful effect on health due to radiation.
Early diagnosis of diseases
At the same time, doctors assure that the doses received by the patient during the examination are insignificant and cannot pose a threat. At the same time, adherence to the examination schedule is of great importance in diagnosing not only tuberculosis, but also various neoplasms, so doctors categorically do not advise abandoning this.
In our country, tuberculosis is a fairly common disease, and not only a person from a disadvantaged family, but also any wealthy member of society can get it. No one is completely immune from this, and the problem of an increase in the incidence of tuberculosis is associated with an unhealthy environment that reduces immunity, stress and physical activity. Absolutely anyone who accidentally comes into contact with a carrier of this dangerous disease can fall into the risk zone.
I didn’t know I was pregnant and had a fluorography done
But what to do if after the study a woman finds out that she is already pregnant? It is worth noting that pregnancy is considered a contraindication to fluorography; the procedure is especially dangerous in the first trimester of pregnancy. If there are serious indications, the examination can be carried out in the second and third trimester.
But don’t panic - timely medical genetic consultation and constant medical supervision will help ensure the health of the fetus. In addition, modern equipment used for fluorography emits minimal doses of radiation, so the likelihood of radiation damage to the baby is extremely low.
To date, the connection between fluorography and conception, as well as various anomalies in fetal development, has not been definitively established. Therefore, expectant mothers should not worry. By passing all the necessary tests and genetic screenings, you can ensure the health and full development of the baby.
Fluorography for those planning pregnancy
Taking care of your health is good at all stages of pregnancy, and during planning too. It is advisable for expectant mothers to undergo a fluorography examination in the period 1–3 months before the expected conception and always in the first half of the cycle. The next examination of the chest organs will not be possible earlier than in 12 months.
Under no circumstances should you give up the fluke completely. If a pregnant woman does become ill with tuberculosis and does not know about it, she poses a danger not only to her baby, but also to the staff or roommates and their children. Oncology detected at an early stage is more treatable, but treatment of the mother, which requires the use of chemicals, is dangerous for the life of the unborn child.
Comment from an obstetrician-gynecologist
Obstetrician-gynecologist Elena Artemyeva answers patients’ questions about fluorography when planning pregnancy.
— My husband and I are planning to conceive. But I had a toothache and had to undergo fluorography, otherwise they wouldn’t give me a ticket at the clinic. The picture was taken on the fifth day of the cycle. What to do? Is it possible to plan to conceive in this cycle or is it better to wait a month?
— During fluorography, the reproductive organs are protected by a special screen; only the heart and lungs are irradiated. The procedure was done at the beginning of the cycle, and therefore it cannot have negative consequences for conception. However, it is better to be on the safe side, especially if you have had your tooth treated using any medications. Therefore, I advise you to use contraception during the current cycle.
— I injured my arm, I had to do fluorography and x-rays in two projections. We put on an apron. This happened in the middle of the cycle, before ovulation. And now it turns out that I am pregnant. What to do? Terminate the pregnancy? I am very afraid to give birth to a sick child.
- I understand that you are worried, but there is no need to panic. Exposure to x-rays is undesirable during the period of conception, but this is not an indication for abortion. Usually the “all or nothing” principle applies in this case. That is, either there was a harmful effect, and then the pregnancy will not occur or will be terminated at an early stage. Either the pictures did not cause you any harm, and then everything will be fine, the baby will be born healthy.
Fluorography as an x-ray examination
During the passage of FLG, X-rays in an amount of 0.05 millisievert are passed through the human body. This is a tiny dose within the permissible radiation exposure limit, which can help save your health. Using a fluorographic examination of the chest, medical specialists diagnose:
- severe infectious lung disease (tuberculosis);
- inflammation of the lung tissue (pneumonia);
- lungs' cancer;
- inflammation of the pleural layers of the lungs (pleurisy);
- pathologies of the cardiovascular system.
Based on the images taken, the doctor prescribes treatment. Timely initiation of therapy sometimes saves a person’s life, and if tuberculosis is diagnosed, it allows one to protect other people from infection by isolating the patient.
The advantages of the procedure include its low cost, and many district clinics do it for free. In addition, data is stored on digital media for a long time, requiring little time investment. The study lasts three minutes, and the decoding of the indicators takes no more than 24 hours. Sometimes it is very important to know how long it will take for the result to be ready. The advantages also include the absence of pain, high accuracy of indicators, and no need for preliminary preparation of the patient.
Photo of fluorography of a healthy person - a picture of the lungs within normal limits
Possible negative consequences for the child: doctors’ opinion
The undesirability of performing fluorography in the first weeks of pregnancy is also due to the fact that due to the procedure performed, the fertilized egg may not attach to the wall of the uterus, resulting in a miscarriage. In addition, X-ray radiation in the first trimester is fraught with disturbances in the structure of the fetal organs.
However, experts do not recommend that expectant mothers become afraid prematurely, much less sign up for an abortion if fluorography was done before the woman learned about her situation. In the vast majority of cases, the child develops and grows normally after this, and no pathologies are found in him.
If the procedure has been performed, it is important for the expectant mother to inform her gynecologist about it. The doctor will refer the woman to a geneticist who can assess the extent of the problem. Also, during the first screening ultrasound, a thorough examination is carried out, after which the doctor gives a final answer regarding the normal development of the child.
In later stages, fluorography is the safest, but it is prescribed extremely rarely.
Frequency of examination
According to the law of the Russian Federation, the working population needs to undergo fluorography once a year. Based on the results of the examination, a certificate is issued, which is required for employment, upon admission to study, before hospital treatment, and for conscripts. The results of lung fluorography are valid for 12 months. Therefore, if there are no special indications for the examination, there is no need to undergo the procedure frequently.
For a healthy person, once a year is enough. To avoid untimely receipt of a portion of x-rays, it is important to know exactly the expiration date of the FLG. Another question about how often fluorography can be done arises if a person goes to the doctor with complaints of feeling unwell or has had contact with a patient with tuberculosis. In this case, pictures are taken more often, which helps to identify the disease.
There is a separate category of citizens who are required to undergo a fluorogram in a more intensive temporary mode. This is a justified preventive measure, since this group of people is more likely to become infected or acquire pulmonary diseases.
These include:
- medical staff of maternity hospitals. Newborn children and pregnant women need enhanced protection;
- doctors working with tuberculosis-infected patients. The risk of infection in this category is higher;
- workers of mining enterprises. There is a large percentage of lung cancer in this industry;
- workers in hazardous industries (asbestos, rubber) and steelworkers, who are also more often susceptible to lung cancer.
For these people, different rules apply regarding how many times a year fluorography can be done.
