Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] Hello, I hope you can help me.I had an MRI which revealed I have a herniated disk at L5 causing nerve pain down my right leg. I had a nerve root injection at the end of August which was meant to relieve inflammation and allow my disk to heal. Unfortunately it only gave me a few days relief and the pain is back. I am due to have a lumbar steroid epidural in 1 months time but have just found out I am 5 weeks pregnant. I have not yet informed the chronic pain clinic through which I am being treated, I believe the injection I am booked in to have in 1 months time will be done under intensive imaging. My query is- is it safe for me to still go ahead with the injection (I need to inform the clinic) will they still perform the lumbar epidural (I will be 9 weeks pregnant when it is due to take place). Also, is it likely I will be able to go through to full term with pregnancy? Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.
[|AI|]  Hi, thanks for writing to Chat Doctor. It is not recommended or advisable to get exposed to radiation (in any form) during the first trimester of pregnancy (during first 3 months). This is because "Organogenesis" (formation of body parts) occurs in the fetus during the first 3 months. If you are exposed to radiation during this period, there is likely possibility that the fetus may develop congenital abnormalities. There is no purity or guarantee that a lumbar epidural steroid will provide you relief throughout your term of pregnancy. Hope this information is helpful. Good day