A disturbing, to me, notice . . .

[Owlswing]

Thanks to a monumental dietry error I found myself in A & E at the West Middlesex Hospital in Isleworth on Tuesday and, having been returned to what, for me, passes for normal I was on my way out when I passed the X-Ray Department and, whilst waiting for a convoy of trollied A & E patients to enter said Department I read the "Important Notice" sellotaped to the door and it caused me some serious disquiet.

The Notice stated that "It is vitally important that all female patients for X-Ray aged between 12 and 55 years of age advise the X-Ray technitian if the are, or suspect they may be, pregnant."

Does anyone else find this as disturbing as I do or is this just another indicator of just how far in the past I am still trying to live?

[Robbie]

Owlswing,good morning! Hardly ever encounter you but am glad to do so.I got up because husband has hurt knee (quite nasty, red and swollen) and was sitting on end of bed, got him pain killers, frozen peas and water and am now wide awake!

That's quite a normal alert Owl, anyone who is in the early stages of pregnancy risks damage to their baby from X-ray (even dental x-rays).T'was same when I was young thirty years or so ago (tho' don't remember 'Signs' as such but I had most ante-natal care in GP surgery which had leaflets).

Everyone was made aware of it. X-ray which involves a foetus/embryo under so many weeks (I think 12 weeks but personally would add another couple of weeks), runs risk of the child having a type of cancer.

There should be big signs everywhere about this risk! Surprised you didn't know.

[Sebastian Toe]

I think O is referring to the lower age on the notice!

[SteveH]

Obviously, a 12-year-old being pregnant would be appalling, and a matter for the police, but since it is physically possible, they have to allow for it. However, I'm not sure why they had to mention an age range.

[Robbie]

I think O is referring to the lower age on the notice!

No I don't think he did  .

The notice was for girls and women of child bearing age so any between puberty and menopause.12-55 would generally cover that even if it is horrifying to think of 12 years old pregnant (does happen even younger than 12).

steveh:- However, I'm not sure why they had to mention an age range.

P'raps would be better to just say 'of child bearing age' or 'if it's possible you are pregnant...'.

Thinking about it a bit later, stating the age '12' may normalise it which would definitely be bad.

[Rhiannon]

Sir Owl, I trust that you are recovered.

I think that including the age ranges isn't a bad thing - older people need reminding that they could still be fertile, but moreover for younger ones a lot of sex that they have will be coercive or non consensual, so maybe it gives an opportunity for an important conversation to be had.

[Roses]

Thanks to a monumental dietry error I found myself in A & E at the West Middlesex Hospital in Isleworth on Tuesday and, having been returned to what, for me, passes for normal I was on my way out when I passed the X-Ray Department and, whilst waiting for a convoy of trollied A & E patients to enter said Department I read the "Important Notice" sellotaped to the door and it caused me some serious disquiet.

The Notice stated that "It is vitally important that all female patients for X-Ray aged between 12 and 55 years of age advise the X-Ray technitian if the are, or suspect they may be, pregnant."

Does anyone else find this as disturbing as I do or is this just another indicator of just how far in the past I am still trying to live?

It is awful to think that a girl of 12 could possibly be pregnant, but it happens. A year to two back there was a case of a girl of 10 being in the family way!

[Nearly Sane]

Not sure how far in the past you managed to live where girls didn't become pregnant at an early age. Teen pregnancy is now plummeting in numbers in the last few years. It isn't a sign of the times, rather it's a sign about science.

[Rhiannon]

Not sure how far in the past you managed to live where girls didn't become pregnant at an early age. Teen pregnancy is now plummeting in numbers in the last few years. It isn't a sign of the times, rather it's a sign about science.

Which may make it more likely that any young girl in that position didn't get there willingly.

[Nearly Sane]

I hope that they have people and training for those involved to pick up on any conversations that are generated by any such cases.

[Rhiannon]

I hope that they have people and training for those involved to pick up on any conversations that are generated by any such cases.

I would have thought that if a twelve year old says she might be pregnant then there will be a protocol to follow and someone with training on hand. I think - hope - the days are gone when sexually active young girls are said to be making 'lifestyle choices'.

[ippy]

Thanks to a monumental dietry error I found myself in A & E at the West Middlesex Hospital in Isleworth on Tuesday and, having been returned to what, for me, passes for normal I was on my way out when I passed the X-Ray Department and, whilst waiting for a convoy of trollied A & E patients to enter said Department I read the "Important Notice" sellotaped to the door and it caused me some serious disquiet.

The Notice stated that "It is vitally important that all female patients for X-Ray aged between 12 and 55 years of age advise the X-Ray technitian if the are, or suspect they may be, pregnant."

Does anyone else find this as disturbing as I do or is this just another indicator of just how far in the past I am still trying to live?

I thought this was common knowledge and I'm sure the staff in that department would ask the appropriate question where necessary.

Regards ippy

[Owlswing]

No I don't think he did  .

The notice was for girls and women of child bearing age so any between puberty and menopause.12-55 would generally cover that even if it is horrifying to think of 12 years old pregnant (does happen even younger than 12).

steveh:- However, I'm not sure why they had to mention an age range.

P'raps would be better to just say 'of child bearing age' or 'if it's possible you are pregnant...'.

Thinking about it a bit later, stating the age '12' may normalise it which would definitely be bad.

Sorry Robbie, but Seb T is correct, it was the lower age quoted that resulted in my comment.

I know that it happens, some males seem to have an inate ability to ignore the possible consequences of their search for personal pleasure. It was that fact that it was common enough to need to be posted on such a notice.

I really and truly thought that the days of ignorance in such matters - see various threads on the subject of sex education in schools - I'm sure I've seen a couple, at least, on here, but there again with my memory - had reduced the risk except, as noted by Rhiannon, in cases of non-consent.

I really do find the necessity for this inclusion to be a sad comment on our society, just because it happens does not, for me anyway, make it in any way acceptable.

[Robbie]

I get what you're saying tho' at first I didn't.

Would be better to say something along the lines of '...of child bearing age' or else get radiologists to ask each patient if they are menstruating, is there a possibility of them being pregnant. I think they do that already actually. Very long time since I had an x-ray & don't remember.

On further thought - could be difficult asking a child such questions & no point asking accompanying parent who is often the last to know. An older woman would probably whoop with laughter. Maybe get each patient to complete a very short questionnaire before x-ray? Frankly I dunno.

PS: Morning, meant to say hope you are alright Owl.

[Rhiannon]

Any parent ringing the 111 service for a girl who is old enough to have her periods will be asked if she is or could be pregnant.

[Nearly Sane]

Any parent ringing the 111 service for a girl who is old enough to have her periods will be asked if she is or could be pregnant.

Which is all the sign is seeking to do? Nothing about what society is like now.

[wigginhall]

I realized that girls could get pregnant about 60 years ago.    Medicine is morally neutral on these matters.

[Rhiannon]

Which is all the sign is seeking to do? Nothing about what society is like now.

No, what it actually says is that society is grown up enough now to acknowledge that such things happen.