Getting a MRI while pregnant

tfont33

Hey ladies!  Just wanted to hear some of your thoughts on this and if anyone has had this done while pregnant...

Basically, I never got headaches before I was pregnant, but since I've been pregnant, I've had a few migraines that lead to blindness in my left eye (and partial blindness in my right eye) while the migraine is going on. Not fun!  My doctor said he doesn't like that i'm still getting headaches and really doesn't like that they're messing with my vision, so he ordered a MRI of my brain and assured me it is safe for the baby. I'm going in tonight to make sure everything is okay up there.

Of course I started googling and had to stop because it was just *ugh* ..."Studies show this...studies show that..."  just a little much for this momma!  SO, I decided to "ask" the next best thing...The Bump!!  If any of ya'll have had experience with getting a MRI while pregnant, I would love some reassurance and your thoughts!  I'm sure that everything will be fine and my awesome doctor is being overly cautious (which I would prefer over the other option!), but there's still a little part of me that worries that the baby will be okay...ya know?

Cherry3142

If they are primarily scanning your brain and not the entirety of your body, I imagine the risk is minimal. I'm sure the doctor wouldn't suggest an MRI if he/she thought it would endanger your unborn child.

Kadyra

Other than ultrasound, MRI is the safest mode of imaging while pregnancy.  If they try to give you contrast, I'd refuse gadolinium because studies on it have been inconclusive.  Just ask.  Yeah, MRI is OK-- they use it when they suspect placenta accreta.

LadyNikon

When a doc thought I had a blood clot in my lung he sent me to the ER.  The ER doc advised me that *if* I had a blood clot ( which the chances of me having on is slim to none) the only way would be to do a CT Scan which is horrible for the babies.  A doc will not tell you to do a test if it causes some risk to the lo's.  If they do they will tell you the chances.  Get the MRI.  Something else could be going on and we want you to make it to see your LO.  

rrcraz7

They requested an MRI for me for the same issue. Migraines, vertigo and trasient blindness. I spoke to my neurologist & a number of OB's at my practice as well as the ER doctor who assured me that the MRI was fine. They would not do an MRA, which involved dye through IV.

They have linked all of my issues to pretty low blood pressure, I hope you get good results.

hmontty

MRIs do not give off radiation. It's basically just magnets.

SLHurst11

I had vision problems 2 weeks before DS's due date.  They did an MRI w/o contrast (dye) just to make sure there wasn't a blood cot in my brain.  They wanted to be sure it would be safe for me to push.  The MRI was quick and easy, and caused no problems for us.

There was no blood clot, but DS didn't handle labor well, so I ended up with a c-section anyway.  No biggie.  I'm glad they did the tests to be safe though.

JessaPrimate

My bf was 3 mos pregnant when they discovered her headaches were caused by a benign brain tumor. Not only did she have an MRI, but also surgery to place a shunt to drain excess fluid that was causing the headaches. Her ds is now 5.

maybridetobe04

I had one a few weeks ago because of accute pain.  Was told it was safe. 

tfont33

Thank y'all!!  I know that my doctor wouldn't have me do something that would put the baby or me in danger, but it just helps to hear it from other people who have gone through it too.

Happy (almost) weekend!!

WiscoMom67

I say do the test... You need to know what's going on with you.  You have to be healthy to carry this baby to term and to care for it afterwards.

When I was on my way to learning I had MS, the doc ordered an MRI...  We were trying to get pregnant and I was in the two-week-wait window, so I couldn't say for sure that I wasn't pregnant.  Doc assured me that the MRI was not risky, and that if it were his wife (and potential child), he would push her to do the test.

Glad I did... It was key in diagnosing my MS.  (BTW, I immediately thought of MS when you mentioned the blindness... others have mentioned quite a few other possiblities... Clearly there are a LOT of things that could be causing your symptoms at this time, some "big deals" and some not.  You need to know what you're dealing with...  Good luck!)

Newt69

i had 1 last month for Multiple sclerosis, and while it was fine for the baby, he did not like the noise, he was moving around like crazy in there. it was loud for me even with muffs on, i cant imagine what it was in there for him.....GL.