Are New Body Scanners Safe for Pregnant Travelers?

  Should pregnant women avoid body scanners?

With all of the new security measures in place at airports throughout the United States and abroad, new concerns are growing as to the safety of traveling when pregnant.

As reported by CheapOair earlier this week, the Obama administration recently announced that the controversial devices, which will look under airline passengers' clothing for weapons, could be in roughly half of all U.S. airports by late 2011. Currently, there are only 40 body scanners throughout the United States in 19 airports.

While security agency officials have reported the special x-ray machines pose no health hazards, some experts think they should be avoided when flying pregnant. Remember, these technologies are optional, as stated on the TSA webpage outlining the guidelines.

According to previously published New York Times reports, David J. Brenner, a professor of radiation oncology at Columbia University, said that even though the risk for any individual was extremely low, he still suggests avoiding the machines when pregnant or traveling with kids.

The safest thing a pregnant woman can do is to skip using the machine and ask for the assistance of a TSA personnel. For peace of mind, a pat-down might just be more practical – so you won’t have to worry about radiation risks.

MayoClinic.com’s Roger W. Harms, M.D. states that commercial air travel during certain stages of pregnancy poses no special risks to a healthy pregnant woman or her baby. But, he continues, if you're pregnant, it's best to check with your health care provider before you fly.

I agree. Each pregnancy is different and individual doctors all follow different protocol. I traveled up until I was 6 months pregnant without any issues. The best advice from mother-to-mother is to listen to your doctor.

And, if you do fly when pregnant, make sure you are properly hydrated, buckled up and choose an aisle seat so you can get up and out to increase your circulation.

 

Sources: New York Times & MayoClinic.com

Image: Associated Press