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I went through the older machines or requested a hand search.

I went through.

I did not because - even though they say they are safe, like @kiddosc: said - I just didn't feel like there was enough research to *know*. Security was very nice each time I requested the pat down instead. When we traveled in Europe, interestingly, I was led to the pat down area every time before I had the chance to ask - even at museums, I was told *not* to go through the x-ray machine. I feel like my medical beliefs tend toward European anyway, so that really cemented my decision not to go through the machines.

ETA: I took 3 round-trip flights while pregnant, two domestically and one international.

I flew 8 times during my first pregnancy. I did go through the scanners.

The first time around I opted for a pat down. It was super awkward though and the baby took the opportunity to kick up a storm when she was over my stomach. I had to explain I was pregnant and it was the baby (not sure how she couldn't crack the code I was pregnant).

The second time they told me that the technology in the machines is less than in an ultrasound machine. I decided to go through and, of course, got flagged. I ended up getting patted down anyways. I just googled what I was told, though, and it appears to have a lot of controversy. One woman felt that she was being bullied into it (I could totally set that) by being told this.

Edited to add article: http://consumerist.com/2010/09/09/pregnant-traveler-tsa-screeners-bullied-me-into-full-body-scan/

I never went through, I always asked for a pat down. It is usually not a big deal but if you are at a busy airport with a long line it does take longer.

I opt for the hand pat when pregnant or in the TWW or whenever I'm not in a hurry. TSA will redirect kids and obviously pregnant women when they see them. That alone makes me not want to go through them.

When I was pregnant I did so many other things to protect baby, why not avoid those machines too?

I went through the scanners and didn't opt out. I was also the crazy person that ate everything on the "do not eat list". lol

I went through, it was no big deal. You get more radiation from talking on your cell phone than going through the scanner. And I hate having people touch my belly, let alone my whole body! I get that some people would still take the pat-down, zero risk as opposed to super duper minimal risk, but I just don't worry about the small stuff like that - although if I did, I think I'd be more concerned with the actual travelling/plane ride than the body scanner.

I flew early in my pregnancy and went through. I had asked a nurse about it and she said it was fine. For whatever reason, I felt embarrassed to ask for the pat down since I wasn't visibly pregnant.

I flew again early in 3rd tri and asked for the pat down. On my way there, they were happy to accommodate. On my way home, they tried to tell me that it was safe, blah, blah. I stood my ground and got the pat down but they made me feel crappy about it.

I wish there was more research into it.

I opted out and did the pat down. It was no big deal. Anyone can opt out and request a pat down for any reason. They cannot refuse you. Through 4 flights there was only one tsa agent who sort of gave me a hard time, telling me it was fine and I should just go through, telling me it would take too long to wait for a female agent to come to do the pat down (it didn't) but almost immediately another agent came over and reprimanded the guy and told me anyone can opt out and you don't have to explain yourself.

I went through. I think there was something about the radiation being higher when youre in flight than in the scanners. Meh.

I went through traditional metal detector and opt out of the full body scanner. I too got the lecture/bullying/disapproving discussion about how it is safe but I stood my ground. It is my choice.

I did both, but after the first pat down which I felt was really invasive, I just stuck with the walk-through detector. I only flew a couple of times.

I opted out and got the pat-down.

The agents directed me to lines without the scanner. I was planning to opt out if I had to make a choice.

Actually I generally ask to opt out unless we are overseas. Generally in other countries there is no option!

@butterbean: I opted out. The HS person who wanded me and the person who gave me a light pat down told me they would have done the exact same thing.

I had the same experience as @JerricaBenton:, most were totally fine with doing a pat down. One was a little huffy because it would hold things up until a female agent would get there (I could see her from where I was standing, so it didn't ale long at all), but he was corrected before she even got to me.

She, however, was a little "you know the scanner is easier" blah blah blah, and "this will be bit invasive and out here in the open." (Like @Mrs. Blue: said, they sure get up close and personal.) I told her I was pregnant and used to being felt up monthly by the doctor with an audience - that ended her little rant.

I flew 3 times while pregnant. They were not using the body scanners the times I flew, but I would have refused and gone through a regular metal detector/opted for a pat down.

I opted out and got the pat down.