Does MRI have any effect on pregnant women?

Magnetic resonance imaging is a very common way to examine the human body. This method can accurately detect the bones or muscle tissues inside the human body. Many pregnant women also choose to use MRI to examine their bodies. Pregnant women need to pay special attention when examining their bodies. They are worried that certain examination methods will affect pregnant women. So, does MRI have any impact on pregnant women? Let's introduce it in detail below.

Does pregnancy have any effect on MRI?

MRI examination has no effect on the fetus, so you can keep the baby in the belly. The principles of MRI examination are different from those of CT and X-ray examinations. CT and X-ray examinations reflect the condition of the disease by penetrating the tissues and organs of the human body. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a method of diagnosing diseases by reflecting the absorption of electromagnetic waves by tissues and organs under the action of a high-intensity magnetic field. MRI examinations do not produce radiation, so they have no effect on the human body or the fetus.

In addition, pregnant women need to choose the right time to do MRI. It is generally believed that the fetus in the stage of fetal organ formation, that is, the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, is very sensitive to noise and heat during MRI and is affected to a certain extent.

The imaging contrast of the development of the fetus's organs before 7 months is very poor under MRI. Therefore, the effect of MRI before 28 weeks is not as good as that of ultrasound examination. In other words, ultrasound examination before 28 weeks can observe the fetus more clearly.

After 28 weeks, all organs of the fetus can be well imaged under MRI. At the same time, ultrasound cannot clearly observe lesions in the fetal head due to calcification of the fetal head bones. At this time, MRI is the best way to examine the fetal head. Therefore, the choice of time for NMR examination is very important.

Magnetic resonance imaging examination points

What are the precautions for MRI examination? Magnetic resonance imaging has the advantages of safety, no radiation and accuracy. Ensure the following points before performing MRI:

(1) People who have magnets in their bodies, such as pacemakers, artificial valves, and metal foreign objects near important organs, cannot undergo this test. However, people whose implants are confirmed by the surgeon to be non-magnetic objects can undergo MRI examinations.

(2) Explain the following to the technician: whether there is a history of surgery; whether there are any metal or magnetic materials implanted in the body.

(3) Do not wear underwear made of metal materials. Patients should wash their hair before examining their head and neck.

(4) Before the test, remove all clothing except underwear and put on special clothing for the MRI examination room.

(5) All medical history, examination data and all X-rays, CT scans and previous MRI scans should be provided to the physician before the examination.

(6) Participants undergoing abdominal examination (liver, spleen, kidney, pancreas, bile duct, ureter, etc.) should fast for 4 hours before the examination.

(7) Perform magnetic resonance urography (MRU) before taking furosemide 20 mg orally.

(8) Be mentally prepared, don’t be impatient or afraid, be patient and follow the doctor’s instructions.