What to do if you find out you are pregnant after a CT scan

CT examination is a particularly commonly used examination method in today's clinical medicine. Since CT examinations involve certain radiation, some special groups cannot undergo CT examinations, such as pregnant women. However, many women will find out that they are pregnant after having a CT scan, which makes them more worried. So, what should you do if you find out you are pregnant after a CT scan?

1. What to do if you find out you are pregnant after a CT scan

If you find out you are pregnant after a CT scan, you don’t need to be too nervous at this time, because the amount of radiation from CT is not very large and will not cause damage to the gestational sac. Especially in the early stages of pregnancy, if the pregnancy is harmed, it can easily lead to miscarriage. If miscarriage does not occur, it means that the gestational sac is not damaged. You can continue to protect the fetus and observe to see if there is any vaginal bleeding. As long as these symptoms do not appear, you need to rest assured and not be too nervous. If a CT scan is done after pregnancy, the cumulative radiation exposure may lead to fetal malformations. During this period, prenatal examinations are needed, including Down syndrome screening at around 20 weeks, and a four-dimensional color ultrasound examination before 24 weeks. If no fetal malformation is found, it means that the fetus is not harmed.

2. Can I keep the baby if I find out I am pregnant after CT scan?

Considering that you don't need to worry, it is recommended that you continue the pregnancy. From the perspective of eugenics, CT scans will have an impact on the fetus, but the impact is not significant. Just relax and pay attention to pregnancy checkups. You are now in the early stages of fertilized egg formation and there are fewer fertilized egg cells. If there is severe damage, the embryo will often miscarry. If there is a small amount of damage, it is generally believed that it can be repaired and will not cause fetal abnormalities. Just have regular checkups afterwards.

3. Does CT have a big impact on pregnant women and fetuses?

CT scans for pregnant women have a great impact on the fetus, especially in the first three months of pregnancy, which is a critical period for the development of embryonic organs and the embryo is extremely sensitive to various harmful factors. Exposure to radiation in the early stages of fetal growth may result in stunted fetal growth. After the second trimester, most of the fetus' organs have been basically formed, and radiation damage rarely causes obvious external deformities. However, the fetus' reproductive system, teeth, and central nervous system are still developing during this period, so exposure to radiation may result in consequences such as mental retardation. It is generally believed that even routine chest X-rays should be postponed until after 28 weeks of pregnancy. Even before pregnancy, there should be a period of time when you are not exposed to radiation, so pregnant women cannot have CT scans!