https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 30 May 2026 14:50:32 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy/page/2#post-2001316 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 15:09:26 +0000 MrsADS 2001316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I opted out b/c we had plenty of time but I don't think I'd sweat it if I had to go through. Thanks everyone for your thoughts! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1998342 Fri, 26 Dec 2014 16:23:36 +0000 Mrs.KMM 1998342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always go through the scanners (pregnant or not). You get more radiation sitting through your flight than you do in the body scan. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1998093 Fri, 26 Dec 2014 10:11:12 +0000 LaughLines 1998093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997757 Thu, 25 Dec 2014 12:53:52 +0000 shellio 1997757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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 :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997750 Thu, 25 Dec 2014 12:45:38 +0000 getjazzy 1997750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997728 Thu, 25 Dec 2014 11:39:02 +0000 LemonLong 1997728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I flew at least 8 times while pregnant. I went through the scanner each time with no issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997644 Thu, 25 Dec 2014 01:42:55 +0000 sapphire 1997644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997637 Thu, 25 Dec 2014 01:17:26 +0000 GoGoSnoGirl 1997637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997630 Thu, 25 Dec 2014 01:02:43 +0000 MrsMccarthy 1997630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pat down over here just for the sake of caution. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997625 Thu, 25 Dec 2014 00:46:45 +0000 wheres_c 1997625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I opt out, pregnant or not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997589 Wed, 24 Dec 2014 23:34:21 +0000 marionberry 1997589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997576 Wed, 24 Dec 2014 23:12:59 +0000 PurplePeony 1997576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997575 Wed, 24 Dec 2014 23:12:36 +0000 Andrea 1997575@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997573 Wed, 24 Dec 2014 23:10:28 +0000 Foodnerd81 1997573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997486 Wed, 24 Dec 2014 20:26:44 +0000 dolphin 1997486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997407 Wed, 24 Dec 2014 18:17:20 +0000 snowjewelz 1997407@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was in 2nd trimester and opted for a pat down instead. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997398 Wed, 24 Dec 2014 17:55:53 +0000 Torchwood 1997398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997368 Wed, 24 Dec 2014 17:11:58 +0000 yoursilverlining 1997368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997366 Wed, 24 Dec 2014 17:08:04 +0000 lemondrop 1997366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997358 Wed, 24 Dec 2014 17:01:13 +0000 macintosh 1997358@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997355 Wed, 24 Dec 2014 16:55:54 +0000 MrsRcCar 1997355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997309 Wed, 24 Dec 2014 16:09:54 +0000 Beehive 1997309@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997295 Wed, 24 Dec 2014 15:51:40 +0000 youboots 1997295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I asked for a pat down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997293 Wed, 24 Dec 2014 15:50:39 +0000 lawbee11 1997293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997276 Wed, 24 Dec 2014 15:30:24 +0000 Anya 1997276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997263 Wed, 24 Dec 2014 14:59:51 +0000 littlejoy 1997263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997260 Wed, 24 Dec 2014 14:56:22 +0000 Corduroy 1997260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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.</p> <p>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. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997251 Wed, 24 Dec 2014 14:41:53 +0000 sarac 1997251@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997245 Wed, 24 Dec 2014 14:27:33 +0000 chanada 1997245@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I asked for pat down instead. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airport-scanners-in-pregnancy#post-1997242 Wed, 24 Dec 2014 14:24:32 +0000 autumnlove 1997242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I opted out. </p>