I am flying tomorrow. I'm 5 weeks. My dr said it's fine to go through the scanners, our airport has one of those whole-body scanners that go around you. Did anyone skip that while pregnant and opt for a pat-down?
I am flying tomorrow. I'm 5 weeks. My dr said it's fine to go through the scanners, our airport has one of those whole-body scanners that go around you. Did anyone skip that while pregnant and opt for a pat-down?
grapefruit / 4418 posts
No. I went through many times it was fine. You're exposed to more radiation in the air.
nectarine / 2641 posts
I always skipped the full-body one while pregnant. Now that I have a toddler, they always have him and I walk through the regular scanner anyway. So I'll just count on that on our trip in January, though if that's not an option for some reason, I'd ask for a pat down.
persimmon / 1364 posts
At 5 months pregnant I opted for a pat down instead of the scanner. So did another pregnant woman in line behind me.
pomegranate / 3533 posts
I opted for a pat down. Twice. But they do look at you like you're crazy.
apricot / 358 posts
I've never had to opt out- they've always automatically directed me go through the metal detector and not the whole body scanner.
pear / 1599 posts
I was 7 weeks and I opted for a pat down and like@FliegepilzHut: said, they look at you like you are crazy
pomegranate / 3983 posts
I would suggest opting out since they can't yet tell you are pregnant.
pomelo / 5093 posts
I decline the use of those even while not pregnant. Several papers have been published calling into question the actual radiation involved, and I'm not interested in taking the chance on exposure.
pomelo / 5258 posts
I opt out while pregnant. TSA sends visibly pregnant women through the metal detectors. I consider it not opting in to the full body scan just because I'm not showing. The scanner is probably fine but with all the other things you do to protect yourself during pregnancy I don't see why not take the precaution. The ladies that do the pat down are generally very nice to pregnant women.
Don't opt out until your turn though. I'm not showing but since I got pregnant with #2 TSA has rerouted me to the metal detector 3/4 times. If I had asked to opt out early I would have gotten the pat down. Rub your belly and look tired.
pomegranate / 3375 posts
I never went through a scanner while pregnant. Not enough research to show that it's completely safe. It was super easy to just say, "I don't want to go through the scanner." I might have peppered in a line about being pregnant. TSA was always VERY friendly and kind about it. I did have to get a pat down and a hand swab. No biggie. Safe travels!
nectarine / 2784 posts
I ask for a pat down all the time. You don't have to be pregnant to opt out. The only thing is you might have to wait a few minutes for an agent to become available so make sure you get in the security line early.
GOLD / watermelon / 14076 posts
I opted for the pat down. I don't really think the scanners are harmful, but there was an alternative and I wasn't in a hurry so I figured might as well go that route.
nectarine / 2054 posts
I have never gone through the machines - I always get a pat down. No one ever gives me a hard time about it, and the pat down ladies are generally friendly.
grapefruit / 4712 posts
I never pass thru the full body scanner. I just opt for the pat down. I feel better about it. Good luck on your trip.
pear / 1750 posts
I asked the (female) TSA agent if I should avoid it and she said it was safe. I trusted her and went through. My DH had to get a pat down due to his wheelchair, and I wanted to stay with him.
bananas / 9118 posts
I work/teach in radiology, and knowing about radiation exposure, to me there are very few risks to it since I'm not a frequent (weekly flier) so I've always gone through the scanners workout a second thought.
To me our country is so hyper cautious about treating pregnancy as a disease that if there was true cause for concern pregnant women wouldn't be allowed to go through the scanners in the first place.
eggplant / 11824 posts
I went through with no worries. @catomd00: yes. I'll admit it makes me lol a little when people get all fear-mongery about body scans, but gladly step onto the plane minutes later...
pomelo / 5607 posts
I always ask for a pat down. I'm sure it's totally unnecessary but I figure it can't hurt. They're always really nice about it. And just fyi the scanners they use on the bags actually put out more radiation, so it's best not to linger by them either.
pomegranate / 3768 posts
My doctor advised me to not do the full body scanners, but the regular ones are ok. If I see a full body, I always ask for a pat down.
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
Pat down. I'm sure they are fine and my midwife said it was fine. Then I asked what she did and she admitted she opted for the pat down too.
I did go through the regular metal detector when that was an option. They only gave me a hard time once in a fairly remote airport. It was like they didn't want to do it at all but sorry, it's my right.
GOLD / wonderful coffee bean / 18478 posts
I opted out. There was one time where they saw me coming and sent me away immediately so that made me feel like lots of pregnant women opt out.
pomegranate / 3113 posts
I have no problem with the current type of full-body scanners. I wouldn't go through a backscatter machine whether pregnant or not, but those aren't being used anymore.
pomelo / 5041 posts
I opted out my first pregnancy but didn't for my second. As my husband reminds me, you get far more radiation in the airplane than the machine. But if it makes you feel better, the pat down was super easy.
pear / 1558 posts
I've opted out before, but do think it isn't any more dangerous than flying is. I was going to just go through this trip, but they didn't have that scanner running when we went through security, so it was a non issue.
nectarine / 2173 posts
I really think the scanners are stupid and thus don't really like supporting their existence. I almost always skip them. The TSA agents have always been understanding and respectful.
pear / 1698 posts
I flew at least 8 times while pregnant. I went through the scanner each time with no issues.
persimmon / 1179 posts
We traveled when I was around 5 weeks and opted for the pat down. When I asked they actually mentioned that they don't recommend the body scan for pregnant women. No problems, the agents were very nice about it. I just said I was pregnant and would prefer the pat down instead.
pear / 1614 posts
I opt out all the time. I'm exposed to radiation at work so I don't need to add to it. Last time, they made me stand next to it for a long long time (maybe 10 min) while waiting for a female to do the pat down so it kind of defeated the purpose
clementine / 880 posts
I opt out. I know there's radiation levels in the air and other dangers all around all the time, but it doesn't hurt to get a pat down so why not? The only downside is they make you take off your shoes and THEN walk you over to this other area to pat you down... so i felt like i had to walk farther without shoes on which always grosses me out (even if they clean those floors EVERY night, so many people go through!) But still, i'd rather opt out
grapefruit / 4355 posts
I always go through the scanners (pregnant or not). You get more radiation sitting through your flight than you do in the body scan.
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