Hellobee Boards

I have never gone through the machines (when pregnant or not) - I always ask for a pat-down (so does DH). I just say "I'm opting out" and they always get a female agent to do the patdown, it's never a big deal. No one has given me a hard time about it.

I'm sure the machines are fine and give off the "correct" amount of radiation when they're perfectly calibrated, but I don't trust that they always are.

I didn't fly when I was pregnant, but I did fly a couple of times when Liam was an infant and wore him in the Ergo. I never went through the scanners - they didn't even tell me to, they just automatically sent me to the person with the hand swabs. No pat down, either!

I always opt out. FWIW I was advised to do that by a radiologist.

I tried to go through the older machines when I flew last, but they never let me (even though I was obviously pregnant). Also, an aeronautical engineer friend of mine told me that you get more radiation while flying then you do going through the machines, so I wasn't too concerned.

I went through the old scanners but asked for a "female assist" (pat down by a female security agent) when I was asked to go through a full-body scan with the rotating scanner. I researched the issue before leaving and found that the newer, rotating scanners did not have sufficient, scientifically credible research/testing published on them yet in cases of pregnancy; they are too new. Safe over sorry, I decided. They were pissed with me, but it's a high risk-pregnancy and I was 26 weeks. Was not taking chances.

@Baby Boy Mom: @Beehive: Yep, my stepdad was a radiologist and my mum's a retired professor of medical imaging. Both advised against the airport scanners - back scatter technology is not ideal. And I figure less radiation is always better.

@Beehive: Same here! I always feel awkward when I ask, as if everyone in the line behind me is going to roll their eyes and think, "Oh here's another nut who has to hold up the line." But I always feel better when I meet a nice TSA agent lady who takes care of me.

You can opt out, but they will give you a full body pat down.