Q: Is radiation harmful during pregnancy?

A: Diagnostic radiation does not harm the pregnancy, though you should not have unnecessary radiation during pregnancy. If a fetus is accidentally exposed to a small amount of radiation (from a chest x-ray for example, or most other diagnostic x-rays), it is extremely unlikely that any damage will result. Any time a woman suspects she is pregnant, however, she should inform any health care provider involved in administering any kind of x-ray or other radiation-related test or treatment.