Effects of Radiation on a Pregnancy

Radiation Exposure

• Although the most common type of radiation exposure that people think of is x-rays, there are a variety of ways for a pregnant woman to be exposed to radiation, from cell phone waves to nuclear radiation. Radiation is a type of energy that comes in the form of waves, beams, or small particles. People often do not know when they are being exposed to radiation, as radiation waves are typical weightless, odorless and invisible.

  The danger with radiation is that x-rays, gamma rays, and alpha and beta particles have the ability to cause changes in the atoms they are in contact with, including human atoms and cells. Cells are meant to develop in very specific ways, and when they are exposed to certain levels of radiation, can develop incorrectly, causing a wide variety of problems for the growing fetus.

Birth Defects

• Early development of a fetus is a particularly dangerous time for radiation exposure. Between the ages of 2 to 15 weeks of development, radiation exposure can cause birth defects such as mental retardation, decreased growth, and severe brain damage. The effects of radiation are similar, though more often after extreme exposure, from the 16th to the 25th week of pregnancy. After 26 weeks of development, the fetus is less likely to suffer effects, but they are still at risk if they are exposed to high levels of radiation.

Genetic Effects

• Genetic effects of radiation on pregnancy can be less obvious than birth defects, but equally as harmful. DNA is determined during development of a fetus, and radiation can alter that. DNA is responsible for certain things such as skin color, hair color and type, and other factors that make a person unique. With radiation, developing cells can be altered and effects can damage a cell with or without the chance of repair. If radiation exposure is severe enough, it can kill cells or leave them with defects and mutations.

Cancer

• Exposure to radiation during fetal development has been known to increase cancer risks later in life, and the risk increases with the amount of radiation a pregnant woman is exposed to. Medical doctors have found that it takes large amounts of radiation exposure for increases in cancer risks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fetuses who are exposed to more than 500 doses of x-ray radiation, have less than a 2% increased risk of having cancer later in life than do their counterparts who were not exposed to large doses of radiation.

Avoiding Radiation

• Because the exact effects and doses are constantly being researched, it is best for a pregnant woman to avoid radiation exposure whenever possible. X-rays should be avoided if possible, except when absolutely necessary, and then protective gear should be covering the abdomen to avoid exposure to the fetus. Pregnant women, or women trying to get pregnant should absolutely stay away from nuclear power plants or other areas where nuclear exposure is risky. Other forms of radiation such as cell phones and microwaves are still under testing, but excessive exposure should be avoided until they can be ruled as no risk to fetal development.