What are the effects of CT scan during pregnancy?

CT is a common way of physical examination in medicine. It uses X-rays to show the condition of the body. The health of pregnant women is very important during pregnancy. CT examinations cannot be done during this period, especially chest X-rays. The radiation from chest X-rays is too high and it can easily endanger the life of the pregnant woman or the fetus. Therefore, pregnant women should try not to do CT examinations and also need to pay more attention to radiation.

What are the effects of CT scan during pregnancy?

Doctors say that, generally speaking, expectant mothers should not undergo radioactive imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans, and must not do chest X-rays (the radiation dose of a chest X-ray is 0.60-4.85msv, much greater than a chest X-ray), especially when they are just pregnant. After 28 weeks of pregnancy, do not undergo radioactive examinations unless the life of the expectant mother or fetus is endangered.

"If there is a real life-threatening situation and an X-ray is necessary, the expectant mother must take relevant protective measures, wear a lead suit around her abdomen, and the examination should be done as soon as possible." The doctor said that the effect of X-rays on the fetus is related to the time and location. Irradiating parts of the chest, hands and feet that are some distance away from the fetus will have less impact than irradiating parts of the abdomen, pelvis, etc. that are close to the fetus. Lead suits protect the abdomen, prevent radiation from passing through, and reduce radiation damage.

For the same part, the amount of radiation from a CT scan is roughly the same as that from taking 10 X-rays. Therefore, it is best not to do CT scan. The general principle is to do it only when it is absolutely necessary.

Physical changes during early pregnancy

1. Breast changes

In the early stages of pregnancy, the breasts gradually swell and become very soft; the areola becomes larger and the color becomes darker due to increased pigmentation; then, the blood vessels under the skin of the breasts become noticeably prominent, and venous dilation is visible; the nipples also become noticeably prominent. These are normal physiological phenomena in early pregnancy.

2. Uterine changes

In the first three months of pregnancy, the enlargement of the uterus is not obvious. It usually takes until three and a half to four months for the belly to become noticeably bigger. In the third month of pregnancy, the uterus just emerges from the pelvic cavity, with a diameter of about 8 cm, about the size of a fist.

3. Skin changes

Your skin changes dramatically during pregnancy. In the early stages of pregnancy, some people have obvious skin pigmentation due to hormonal reasons. Some people will develop acne in the early stages of pregnancy, while some people who used to have acne now have none of it and their faces have become clearer.

4. Weight changes

Weight changes in pregnant women mainly occur in the second and third trimesters. During the first three months, weight changes are not obvious. Generally speaking, a weight gain of 2-4 catties for pregnant women is within the normal range. If you gain weight too quickly, it is not a good thing. If the fetus grows too fast and too large, it will cause trouble for natural delivery in the future.