airline flight damaging to fetus?

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2011-04-21 12:18

I apologize if this might seem a silly query to some, but I am 5 months pregnant and take special interest in radiating events right now.

On 3/24 (evidently when counts were peaking on the West Coast), I had a cross-country business trip to VA/PA, where I eventually found out about fallout in the rainwater. During that business trip, I flew between VA/PA two times (3/28 and 3/30), then flew home on 4/1.

I wonder about the possibility of radioactive iodine and cesium (particles beyond standard in-flight exposure) penetrating the cabin of the plane.

I have read that the greatest radiation risk to a developing fetus can occur between conception and 18 weeks; at the time of my flight I was not yet 18 weeks. I have had an ultrasound at 19 weeks and all looks normal, but I worry about future problems, both in utero and post-partum.

I realize this is probably difficult to tabulate in any meaningful way, but any informed insight at all would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

‹ Will you be testing Pacific Ocean water? Is it true that the EPA is not checking for cesium? ›

Your baby is fine

Submitted by Sofia (not verified) on Sun, 2011-04-24 23:31.

My son is 5, the healthiest, smartest kid around. He can play tennis like an adult, can solve 3-4 grade math, and has never been sick other than occasional common cold. I'm not here to brag about my son. I'm only saying because I lived in Tahoe when I was pregnant, didn't like the doctors up there, and originally from Los Angeles, I flew to LA every other week to see my obgyn for prenatal exams. I even went to Hawaii few times when I was pregnant. I can assure you 100% your baby will not be affected by flights you took. I know several other women who flew several times during pregnancy and their kids are fine - just not as smart or good looking as mine, but normal nonetheless. BTW, you need to pay attention to what you eat though. I breastfed my son for over two years and pretty much what I ate came right out. So what you eat is what your infant eats. Good luck.

Thank you both!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 2011-04-25 09:45.

Thanks for some reassurance! I was especially concerned due to the timing of my flights, at the peak of the plumes over the US. I know beta can't travel through much, but gamma rays can penetrate anything, and there we were, right up there over the clouds...

All I can do is wait and see. I truly appreciate your taking the time to answer me :)

hello, im no expert in this

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 2011-04-24 22:40.

hello, im no expert in this area but i encourage you to have a peace of mind. Most likely you and the baby will be perfectly fine as the amount inhaled (if anything) should be minimum; mere worrying can do no good but only add negative effects.

Take care :)