40 Pregnancy Policy

This policy was created in consultation with the Indiana University/Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) Radiation Safety Office (RSO).  The declaration of pregnancy by a student is voluntary and not required.  Studies have shown that the fetus is more sensitive to radiation than the mother.  Information related to the risk of radiation and pregnancy was provided when the student originally applied for and received a radiation monitoring device.  An additional copy of that information is available from the RSO.

If pregnancy is declared (such a declaration must be in writing using the current RSO form), adequate precautions must be observed to assure the cumulative dose equivalent to the fetus is less than 500 millirem (mrem) or 5 millisieverts (mSv) over the entire pregnancy.  Furthermore, it is recommended that any radiation exposures that occur over the entire pregnancy be relatively uniform from one month to another.  In some cases, the RSO and/or a supervisor or program director may impose specific restrictions to assure the limits are not exceeded.  Based upon the personnel monitoring results of student radiographers over several years, specific restrictions do not appear necessary; however, there are certain program rotations that may result in potential radiation exposures (e.g., rotations involving fixed and mobile (c-arm) fluoroscopy).  Given the aforementioned information, the pregnant student may choose any one of the following options, by written notice. The option chosen can be changed at any time during the pregnancy, by written notice of the student.

Option #1 – Undeclared Pregnancy –The pregnant radiography student may choose not to declare pregnancy.  As indicated above, the declaration of pregnancy by a student is voluntary and not required.  If pregnancy is not declared, the radiation exposure limits for occupational radiation workers (5,000 mrem or 50 mSv) would apply to both the student and her unborn child. The RSO will monitor exposure applying the same standards used for the non-pregnant radiation worker.  The student may choose any of the other options at any time during her pregnancy.

Option #2 – Declare Pregnancy and Continue in the Program without modification – The pregnant radiography student may declare pregnancy and request to continue in the Program without modification. This condition will remain in force unless an RSO review of the student’s personnel monitoring record indicates that exposure to the fetus is likely to exceed the established NRC dose limits. Under this circumstance, the RSO and the Radiography Program Director would meet with the student to discuss possible causes of the elevated exposures and any restrictions that might be necessary to assure the limit is not exceeded. If the student does not wish to follow the restrictions, she may “un-declare” her pregnancy by notifying the Radiation Safety Office and Program Director in writing.

Option #3 – Declare Pregnancy with Requested Restrictions in Clinical Rotations – Even though the potential for a pregnant radiography student to exceed the 500 mrem limit to her fetus is low, a student may specifically request that she not be required to participate in clinical rotations that may result in elevated radiation exposures.

If rotation restrictions are requested, substitute clinical rotations will not be provided.  All clinical rotations missed by the student must be made up.  This will result in a delay in the completion of the radiography program.  In addition to the clinical restrictions, progress in didactic courses may be affected when these courses have prerequisite or co-requisite clinical courses associated with them.

Option #4 – Request Temporary Leave – The pregnant radiography student may request a leave of absence not to exceed one year and either withdraw from or attempt to complete the courses she is currently enrolled in.  If the student continues in currently enrolled courses, she will need to decide whether or not to declare pregnancy during that time period (i.e., either option 1 or 2).  Once the temporary leave is granted, there would be a place reserved for the student in the next accepted class.  It would not be necessary to submit another application for admission.

Option #5 – Permanent Withdrawal – The pregnant radiography student may request to withdraw from the Radiography Program for an indefinite period of time.  If she wishes to be reinstated, she must submit a Health Professions Programs Application and compete for readmission to the program.  Any previous coursework would be reevaluated at the time of readmission to assure competency has been maintained.

Policy reviewed Jan21