The possibility of an X-ray during pregnancy causing harm to your unborn child is very small. Generally, the benefits of the diagnostic information from an X-ray outweigh the potential risk to a baby. However, if you received a large number of abdominal X-rays over a short period before you were aware of your pregnancy, your baby could be affected.

Most X-ray exams — including those of the legs, head, teeth or chest — won't expose your reproductive organs to the direct X-ray beam, and a lead apron can be worn to provide protection from radiation scatter.

The exception is abdominal X-rays, which expose your belly — and your baby — to the direct X-ray beam. The risk of harm to your baby depends on your baby's gestational age and the amount of radiation exposure. Exposure to extremely high-dose radiation in the first two weeks after conception might result in a miscarriage. However, these dose levels aren't used in diagnostic imaging.

Exposure to high-dose radiation two to eight weeks after conception might increase the risk of fetal growth restriction or birth defects. Exposure between weeks 8 and 16 might increase the risk of a learning or intellectual disability. But the typical dose of a single radiation exposure associated with a diagnostic X-ray is much lower than the high dose associated with these complications.

Before having an X-ray, tell your doctor if you are or might be pregnant. Depending on the circumstances, it might be possible to postpone the X-ray or modify it to reduce the amount of radiation. In addition, if you have a child who needs an X-ray, don't hold your child during the exam if you are or might be pregnant.

If you had a diagnostic X-ray before you knew you were pregnant, talk to your health care provider.