Pregnancy: are vaccines and radios allowed?

What vaccines to do or not to do during pregnancy?

In general, it is better to avoid vaccination during pregnancy, with a few exceptions, which are on the contrary beneficial (flu in particular).

Dangerous vaccines during pregnancy

During pregnancy, it is imperative avoid vaccines against the yellow fever (except in case of extreme necessity such as for a trip),oral polio, hepatitis A, Japanese encephalitis or against less serious diseases, such as measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.

Vaccines not recommended during pregnancy

Vaccines not recommended for pregnant women are the brucellosis vaccines, which can cause strong reactions, diphtheria (except in case of emergency), rabies (except in case of emergency), la TB by BCG and typhoid whose vaccine is unnecessary since treatment of the disease on the mother is safe for the fetus.

Harmless or even recommended vaccines during pregnancy

These are vaccines against influenza, polio (only injectable version), tetanus and hepatitis B. Each year, the seasonal influenza vaccination campaign is recommended to pregnant women, in whom this disease can cause severe symptoms and hospitalization. The influenza vaccination will also protect the baby for the first months of life.

Radios during pregnancy: what are the dangers?

The x-rays are contraindicated during pregnancy because they can cause fetal malformations. During the first weeks of pregnancy, the fetal cells are fully dividing. They multiply constantly to become the different organs, and are therefore very sensitive to radiation. The risk depends on the radiation dose. In case of fracture or serious illness, it is possible to use a lead apron, when taking the radio, to protect the chest and stomach. You must therefore inform the staff of the medical imaging service that you are pregnant when you do this type of examination, even dental! A young woman may have an x-ray of the abdomen, or even an intravenous urography, when she is still unaware that she is pregnant. Rest assured, these examinations are of no consequence, because the irradiation emitted by these radios is similar to the irradiation at a certain altitude. In addition, the MRI examination is safe because it does not use X-rays.

To know : Rest assured if you have had an X-ray of the upper part of the body (lungs, neck, teeth, etc.): the X-rays are not directed at the fetus and the risks are almost non-existent.

Ultrasounds during pregnancy: are there any risks? Should we limit them?

Ultrasound and x-ray are two very different exams. Ultrasound is an imaging method using ultrasound. They have the property, when emitted by any source, to reflect on an obstacle. Pregnant women currently benefit from three mandatory ultrasounds during their pregnancy. But beware, this is a medical act of high responsibility and not a photo shoot. Beware of companies offering to carry out “Remembrance ultrasounds” with beautiful images, especially thanks to 3D ultrasound. Such pictures unnecessarily and for a long time expose the baby to ultrasound.

Pregnancy and anesthesia: are there any risks for the baby?

The extraction of a single tooth usually requires low dose local anesthesia. No consequences for the baby at this stage of the pregnancy. When the dentist has to remove several, general anesthesia may be more comfortable. No worries because no study has shown an increased risk of fetal malformation following this type of anesthesia. If afterwards further dental treatment is necessary, do not forget to inform the dentist of your condition. Adrenaline (a product that limits bleeding and increases the numbing effect) is often added to local anesthetics. However, this substance, by contracting the blood vessels, can sometimes cause hypertension.