Whether it is possible to do a roentgenography of a nursing mother and when it will be possible to feed the child?

Recently, more and more often women choose breastfeeding as the only true variant of nutrition for the newborn. Refusal of mixtures and bottles inevitably leads to some limitations that the mother of a young child must experience. It's not just about changing the usual diet and the need to follow a diet. In the first days after giving birth, a woman faces a difficult choice. Whether or not to take certain medications, will not they harm her baby? When can I return to sports without harm to my health? Is it possible to undergo a fluorography of a nursing mother?

The answer to the last question concerns every woman whose births took place in a specialized maternity hospital. In the first day after the appearance of the baby, the mother is sent to take a fluorography. Is it safe for a newborn, and is this study really necessary?

What is fluorography?

This method is one of the most common for diagnosing diseases of the respiratory system. Fluorography is a lung examination using X-rays. At the same time, an image is displayed on the screen, according to which the doctor tries to find various deviations. The question of whether it is possible to do a fluorography of a nursing mother is justified. During the study, a woman receives a certain dose of radiation (from 0.03 to 0.5 mSv, depending on the device). Many fear that such an effect can negatively affect the condition of the newborn. The desire to protect their child is inherent in any mother, so some women refuse to survey, endangering their own health. Let us consider in more detail how justified these fears are.

Fluorography for nursing mothers: why is it needed?

Most respiratory diseases are much easier to identify in the early stages, than to treat the consequences and complications later. In this case, comes to the aid of fluorography, which allows for a few minutes to obtain information about the state of the mediastinum. It is primarily about tuberculosis, as well as some types of lung cancer. Unfortunately, young mothers are in no way protected from the development of these dangerous diseases. Fluorography in lactation is indicated in the following cases:

• Contact with a patient with tuberculosis within the last six months;
• Positive Mantoux test in people in the immediate vicinity;
• Living in a region with a high incidence of tuberculosis.

With either of these conditions, the fluorography of the nursing mother is a necessary risk, which should be taken for your own health and the well-being of the baby. The earlier the pathology is revealed, the more chances for a successful outcome of the disease and the less likely to develop serious complications.

Types of fluorography

Thinking about whether it is possible to do a fluorography of a nursing mother, most women are afraid of the adverse effects of radiation on the body. Not everyone knows that there are two types of devices for examination: film and digital. In the first case, the image is recorded immediately on the film, which makes it impossible to somehow adjust the level of the radiation dose received. Digital devices display information on the screen, have a higher sensitivity and allow the use of doses 4-5 times lower. If there is a technical possibility for nursing mothers, the latter option should be chosen.

Fluorography of the nursing mother: is there any harm?

X-rays are one of the types of radioactive radiation, so the concern of women is entirely justified. Another thing is that during the procedure the minimum doses of irradiation are used. This is enough to get the desired result, but not enough to somehow harm the woman or the child.

You can do fluorography breastfeeding or not? There is still no unequivocal answer to this question. Some experts believe that a small dose of X-rays can not cause serious health problems. Others argue that it is better for the nursing mother to beware of any influences that might somehow affect her baby's condition. There have not been any studies of credibility on this issue. Most doctors believe that fluorography to nursing mothers should be conducted according to strict indications and only when there is a real need for it.

How to prepare for the survey?

Young mothers are most worried about whether fluorography affects the quality of breast milk. Very often one can hear recommendations about the need to express both before and after the examination. Some experts recommend not feeding the baby for two days. Is it really?

Modern studies have shown that no significant effect of the procedure on the quality of breast milk is observed. Even frequent fluorography does not cause any serious consequences. Nursing mother does not need to decant, and also to make reserves for several days. There is no scientific data on the negative effect of fluorography on the quality of breast milk.

When can I feed the baby after the examination?

Perhaps, this is the question that worries every woman who, for whatever reason, had to take a picture of her lungs. Can I feed my baby after fluorography or not? Given that irradiation during the procedure does not have a negative effect on the quality of milk, give the baby a chest right after the examination.

Offer to the child expressed milk does not make sense, as well as skipping feeding. Even a single use of the bottle can lead to a rejection of the breast and the subsequent transition to artificial feeding. Especially it is dangerous in the period of newborn, when lactation is only established and any interference in the process can be fatal. It is not necessary to carry out similar experiments and at the age of three to four months, when many kids undergo a phase of false rejection of the breast. The appearance of a bottle with expressed milk can only worsen the situation, leading to an unjustified cessation of breastfeeding.

Fluorography in the hospital

In the first day after the birth of the baby, young mothers are faced with the need to undergo a lung examination. The doctors insist on this, threatening otherwise not to be discharged from the hospital. The women who have just given birth, not knowing whether it is possible to do the fluorography of the nursing mother, are rushing between the reluctance to leave the child in the ward unattended and the need to comply with the doctors' instructions. How to be in this case?

First of all, it is worthwhile to know that the examination of the lungs is voluntary and no one can force a young mother to do a fluorography without her consent. If a woman does not want to undergo the procedure, she should write a refusal of diagnosis in the prescribed form. The form with the signature of the patient is attached to the medical history, after which the woman calmly returns to the ward. It will not affect the discharge process in any way - without other compelling reasons, doctors are not allowed to detain a patient in a hospital. When passing a medical examination in a children's polyclinic, the procedure of refusal should be repeated.

conclusions

Summing up, we should focus on the following facts:

• Fluorography is a quick and relatively safe way of timely detection of tuberculosis and other dangerous lung diseases. There are cases when it is not worth to give up this survey.
• X-ray exposure does not affect the quality of breast milk. Breastfeeding after fluorography can be done without any interruption. Expressing, and also to store milk for the future does not make sense.
• At any time (including during the stay in the hospital), the nursing mother may refuse to perform fluorography. The quality of medical services is not affected in any way.

Asked whether it is possible to do a fluorography of a nursing mother, many women ask for help from newly-born girlfriends, neighbors or try to find information on the Internet on their own. It is worth remembering that situations can be different. Where one young mother could do without a survey, another may be at risk for developing tuberculosis and other diseases. With any doubts, it makes sense to consult your doctor. An experienced doctor will be able to dispel all doubts and help a nursing woman to find the best option in any situation.