Pregnancy Policy

Certain aspects of Northwestern Health Sciences University (NWHSU) curriculum may be potentially hazardous to the embryo or fetus. Therefore, it is the responsibility of NWHSU and affiliated clinical sites to take all practical steps to reduce radiation exposure. It is the student’s responsibility to decide whether to declare pregnancy and to make an informed decision whether the exposure they are receiving is low enough to protect their embryo or fetus.

Students must be aware of the following options regarding pregnancy while in the radiation therapy program:

If a student decides to declare their pregnancy to the program, they must do so in writing.
At any time after declaration of pregnancy, students may withdraw the declaration in writing.
After declaration of pregnancy students may choose to continue the program without modification.
After declaration of pregnancy students may choose to continue the program with modifications that consider possible radiation exposure to the embryo or fetus.
Confidentiality of the pregnancy will be maintained by the program director, program clinical coordinator, and consulted clinical site personnel.

The advice of Northwestern Health Sciences University’s radiation safety officer or that of a medical physicist should be obtained to determine whether radiation levels in the clinic working areas are high enough that an embryo or fetus could receive 0.5 rem or more before birth. If dose levels could exceed 0.5 rem there are several alternatives to consider:

If a student is pregnant or expects to be soon, they could decide not to accept or continue assignments in these areas. This may result in a delay in graduation from the program since graduates need to be entry level skilled in all required areas as described in the Clinical Training Handbook.
Students may reduce exposure where possible by observing the basic rules of radiation safety:

Reducing the time spent in a radiation area
Increasing distance from the source of radiation
Proper use of shielding

Students may also choose to continue working in higher radiation areas, but with full awareness that doing so could result in increased risk for the embryo or fetus.

Please be aware of the following:

The first three months of pregnancy are the time of most risk to the embryo or fetus, so you should make your decision quickly.
In most cases of occupational exposure, the actual dose received by the embryo or fetus is less than the dose received by the mother because some of the dose is absorbed by the mother’s body.

Purpose:

To ensure the safety of any student who is pregnant when training as an occupational worker in a radiation area.
Procedure:
During orientation, all students must sign a statement stating they have read and understand U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission – appendix to the Regulatory Guide 8.13 – Possible Health Risks To Children Of Women Who Are Exposed To Radiation During Pregnancy.
Make a voluntary decision regarding declaration of pregnancy based on the previously stated alternatives.
As stated in the Regulatory Guide 8.13, you have the right to “revoke” your declaration of pregnancy, however, “the lower dose limit for embryo/fetus no longer applies”.
Declare pregnancy in writing to the program director.
Complete an assessment with the program chair to review the clinical schedule and determine what adjustments may need to be made.
When a pregnancy has been declared in writing to the program chair, a fetal monitor film badge may be issued to the student and will be worn at the level of the abdomen during the gestational period.