Anyone ever have an MRI while pregnant?

[JenaW]

The title says it all. Obviously I'm waiting to talk with my OB first, but I'm 28 weeks and it's being strongly encouraged that I do it now versus waiting until after I deliver. Just looking for any btdt info.

Thx!
J

[sntm]

Usually okay. They do MRI for fetal evaluation

[amldaley]

I did with DD1. I have some nerve damage in my lower back and was in terrible pain, unable to walk, etc. They needed to see if the damage had increased. It was very uncomfortable and I had to make a special request to go to the open MRI as I could not fit in the tube. Dr's typically weigh the odds of risk vs why you need the MRI.

[ErinMC]

I had an abdominal MRI at 24 weeks with DD due to a liver hemangioma that had ruptured. Very scary at the time but ended up fine, and no problems to DD. it was definitely uncomfortable being on my back for that long but the techs were total pros and did their best to relax me.

I do remember that I did not have the contrast dye for the MRI, as they werent sure of possible side effects to the baby.

Good luck!

[amldaley]

I had an abdominal MRI at 24 weeks with DD due to a liver hemangioma that had ruptured. Very scary at the time but ended up fine, and no problems to DD. it was definitely uncomfortable being on my back for that long but the techs were total pros and did their best to relax me.

I do remember that I did not have the contrast dye for the MRI, as they werent sure of possible side effects to the baby.

Good luck!

Yes - that is a good point - non-contrast only. Contrast is only to be used if the life of the mother is at stake,

[JenaW]

Thanks for the reassurances. Yes, they told me non-contrast now, with contrast follow-up if need be after I deliver. Of course, then i'd have breastfeeding issues. Mine will be an abdomen and pelvis MRI. I guess I'm just not convinced that the "potential" risks to me of waiting a few more months (to follow up on an enlarged spleen with a "lesion" of some sort - totally an incidental finding after I had what I thought was a gall bladder attack) are worse than any potential risks to the baby. I understand there is no radiation involved, but I'm worried about the noise, and the lying on my back for the amt of time it takes. I'm also worried that if this does not definitely rule in a benign lesion, they are going to push for potentially more invasive testing or early delivery. My husband thinks I'm being ridiculous and just wants the MRI done as soon as possible. He's also concerned about the splenomegaly and potential for rupture, especially given the fact that I'm on heparin. The heme/onc docs did not even mention the risk of spleen rupture to me at all. Ugh. I just hate being put in the position of having to chose between my body and my baby's. Obviously it's not a life or death situation for either of us, but my maternal instincts are to protect my child's, especially when I am not convinced my health is at any true risk. But no one else seems to see it that way.

[gatorsmom]

Thanks for the reassurances. Yes, they told me non-contrast now, with contrast follow-up if need be after I deliver. Of course, then i'd have breastfeeding issues. Mine will be an abdomen and pelvis MRI. I guess I'm just not convinced that the "potential" risks to me of waiting a few more months (to follow up on an enlarged spleen with a "lesion" of some sort - totally an incidental finding after I had what I thought was a gall bladder attack) are worse than any potential risks to the baby. I understand there is no radiation involved, but I'm worried about the noise, and the lying on my back for the amt of time it takes. I'm also worried that if this does not definitely rule in a benign lesion, they are going to push for potentially more invasive testing or early delivery. My husband thinks I'm being ridiculous and just wants the MRI done as soon as possible. He's also concerned about the splenomegaly and potential for rupture, especially given the fact that I'm on heparin. The heme/onc docs did not even mention the risk of spleen rupture to me at all. Ugh. I just hate being put in the position of having to chose between my body and my baby's. Obviously it's not a life or death situation for either of us, but my maternal instincts are to protect my child's, especially when I am not convinced my health is at any true risk. But no one else seems to see it that way.

J- I'm so soRry you are going through this. It must be really unsettling. I'll say some rosaries for you, your baby and your family.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. You are such an inspiration to me!

[trales]

You can do contrast while breast feeding. You can look it up on Hales website.

Good luck, I am so sorry you have to even be thinking about this.

[amldaley]

Ugh. I just hate being put in the position of having to chose between my body and my baby's. Obviously it's not a life or death situation for either of us, but my maternal instincts are to protect my child's, especially when I am not convinced my health is at any true risk. But no one else seems to see it that way.

I completely get that. It is such a hard place to be in. Are you seeing a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist in addition to your OB?

[newnana]

Oh huge hugs.

My DH is a worrier. He worries about me on a normal day, and pregnant multiplies that by about 50,000% because it's an exponential worry about me+baby+ all the what ifs. If there is something that could even sort of possibly be percieved as a potential issue, he is sick with worry until PROVEN that he shouldn't. He can't help it. No amount of therapy has helped. If my doctors recommended that I get an MRI while pregnant, DH would be beside himself upset and scared if I didn't do it because of the chance that it could prevent something worse down the road.

I'm WAAAAY more laid back. Sometimes this causes issues between us :tongue5: But when it comes to my health, it affects his health and I suck it up and have whatever test to put all our minds at ease, or deal with whatever is coming with a more informed decision for the comfort of our entire family. There is too much atmostpheric anxiety otherwise, and that's not healthy for anyone, baby included, either.

Not sure what you mean about worried about the noise?

Good luck with your decision, I know it isn't an easy one! P&PT for you

[brittone2]

No advice, just a note to say you are in my thoughts. :hug: I hope you can get some good input here and from your docs.

[ilfaith]

I had an MRI at about 32 weeks with DS3. Actually it was him they were looking at, not me. I was supposed to have an open MRI, but the machine was down, so into the tube I went. The only challenge I had was the whole "take a deep breath and hold it" part as I was carrying high and hadn't been able to take a deep breath since the end of my second trimester.

If I were in your position, I would go ahead with the MRI.

[AnnieW625]

J- I'm so soRry you are going through this. It must be really unsettling. I'll say some rosaries for you, your baby and your family.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. You are such an inspiration to me!

I'll say some prayers (don't say the rosary too much), am I am sure things will go fine for you! Congrats on your new little one (#7, right?)

[JenaW]

You can do contrast while breast feeding. You can look it up on Hales website.

Good luck, I am so sorry you have to even be thinking about this.

I thought I read you had to pump and dump for 48 hrs after, but maybe that was for a CT with contrast? I'll definitely be sure to look it up if it comes to that. I have Hale's book, and the website is my go to source for both work and personal use. Thanks :)

[JenaW]

I'll say some prayers (don't say the rosary too much), am I am sure things will go fine for you! Congrats on your new little one (#7, right?)


Originally Posted by gatorsmom
J- I'm so soRry you are going through this. It must be really unsettling. I'll say some rosaries for you, your baby and your family.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. You are such an inspiration to me!

Thanks to both of you! I really appreciate it. I'm prolly making a big deal over nothing, but it's still a bit stressful.

[JenaW]

I completely get that. It is such a hard place to be in. Are you seeing a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist in addition to your OB?

Not specifically for this. My pregnancies are high risk for other reasons, so my OB has consulted with a perinatalogist. But this issue is being managed right now by my pcp and heme/onc since it's not pregnancy related. I had the followup ultrasound last week and spoke with the heme fellow on the phone but she wanted to meet face-to-face and wouldn't give me a lot of details other than the MRI is the next step. I pulled up the ultrasound report and read it myself, and it also recommends an MRI. I left a MSG for my ob thurs, but he was out of the office until Monday. I have an appt with heme Wednesday, and assume as long as my OB okays it, we will go ahead and schedule the MRI.

Thanks to all of you for your support and positive thoughts.

[SASM]

Hey you! I am emailing you...

[tmahanes]

I thought I read you had to pump and dump for 48 hrs after, but maybe that was for a CT with contrast? I'll definitely be sure to look it up if it comes to that. I have Hale's book, and the website is my go to source for both work and personal use. Thanks :)

I am pretty sure CT and MRI contrast are different.....people who are allergic to CT dye can still have a MRI with contest I believe.

Sent from my DROID RAZR

[american_mama]

No advice about MRI or dyes, but congrats on expecting again!