Can I take a chest X-ray while breastfeeding?

During breastfeeding, women should try to avoid some chemicals and radiation, because the breastfeeding mother's body is closely related to the health of the child. If there is a problem with the mother's body, the baby may also become ill, so the mother should try to stay away from things with radiation. Chest X-ray is a means of physical examination in hospitals, which is mainly achieved by x-rays. Can I take a breast X-ray while breastfeeding?

1. No risk to the fetus

Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests pose no risk to the fetus and can be used to examine pregnant women, but they should be used with caution. Ultrasonography or MRI is done only if it is needed to answer a diagnostic question and the woman would benefit from testing.

2. No need to give up because of pregnancy

Except in very rare cases, the radiation doses of X-rays, CT scans or nuclear medicine examinations commonly used in hospitals are far lower than the ionizing radiation dose that can cause harm to the fetus. If these examinations are necessary, there is no need to give them up because of pregnancy, because these methods are safe enough for both pregnant women and fetuses.

3. Try not to give gadolinium to pregnant women

Try not to use gadolinium as a contrast agent during MRI examinations. If pregnant women need diagnosis, they can choose other contrast agents instead of gadolinium to improve the diagnostic efficiency of the mother or fetus.

4. No effect on breastfeeding

Lactating women can continue breastfeeding after undergoing MRI examination with gadolinium without interruption or termination.

The guidelines state that even with multiple diagnostic X-rays, it is extremely rare for the dose to reach a level that could cause ionizing radiation damage. Therefore, there is no need to consider terminating a pregnancy simply because of an X-ray examination. In addition, X-ray examinations are harmless to breastfeeding women, and if necessary, pregnant women can undergo CT examinations, including the use of relevant enhancement agents. After using iodinated enhancers, breastfeeding women can still breastfeed as usual. In other words, imaging examinations commonly used in hospitals, especially chest X-rays and CT scans, are safe during pregnancy and lactation, and can be performed if the condition requires.