Radiation is a kind of energy  that travels as rays or particles in the air. It can attach itself to materials such as dust , liquid or powder and make them radioactive. This means they will give off radiation.

You are exposed to small amounts of radiation everyday either naturally through the sun or man made sources such as medical x-ray and microwave oven. These kinds  do not cause serious harm. However radiation emergencies such as nuclear power plant accident may expose you to larger, more dangerous radiation. This can cause harm to you and your unborn child.

How can you protect you and your baby from radiation ?

Inform your health care provider including dentist if you are pregnant  and need a test that use radiation such as x-ray or CAT scan. Most X-rays are safe to use during pregnancy but if you are pregnant and need an X-ray, you doctor may do the following:

• wait till you have the baby to get it
• modify the amount of radiation
• or use other tests that do not require radiation such as ultrasound

You and your health care provider will decide which treatment is best for you.

If your job requires you to work with radiation, talk to your boss  if you are pregnant. You may need to change job responsibilities to help keep you and your baby safe.

In case of a radiation emergency where large amounts of radiations have been exposed, following these guidelines to help keep you safe.

• get inside and go into the middle or basement of the building. Bring pets inside
• close and lock all doors and windows.  You need to take a shower or wipe any exposed part of  your body with damp cloth. Drink bottled water and eat food sealed in a container
• use radio, TVs and mobile devices to get the latest information from officials in your area

Let your health care provider known immediately if you have been exposed to large amounts of radiation.

What is the effect of radiation on me and my unborn child ?

Your body protects the baby from most radiation that you’re exposed to everyday. Therefore the baby is not at an increased risk of birth defects. However if you swallow a radioactive material during pregnancy, it travels in the blood and reaches the baby through the umbilical cord. It can also build up at an area of the body closer to the uterus such as the bladder.

The effect of radiation on the baby depends on the following :

• amount of radiation the body takes in
• kind of radiation
• length of time you’re in contact with it

Your baby is most sensitive to radiation between 2 to 18 weeks of radiation. Radiation exposure can lead to the following :

• birth defects
• slow growth
• affect your baby’s brain development
• cause cancer in the baby
• result in miscarriage

Exposure to large amounts of radiation is not common. You may not feel sick after exposure but it can cause serious harm in the baby. If you are exposed to extremely large amount of radiation, you may experience symptoms such as

• fever
• fatigue
• hair loss
• vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stool

Let your health care provider know right away if you’ve been exposed to extremely large amounts of radiation.