When you are coming into the hospital to have a bone density scan please observe the following:

1. The bone density scan uses extremely small amounts of x-ray (one twentieth of a chest x-ray).  A bone density scan should be avoided in pregnancy.
2. You will lie very still on a padded table for 5-10 minutes while the arm of the machine passes over the area to be measured (usually the lower spine and hip, although the forearm can also be measured). This is quite painless.
3. You do not have to undress but metal objects (buckles, zips, girdles, underwire bra, jewellery etc) interfere with the scan and may need to be removed.