Woman Traveling While Pregnant Won't Go Through Scanners, So This Happens

A video of a pregnant woman experiencing a "soothing" screening process at the airport has gone viral on TikTok.

The clip was shared by @michaelandmarian, the TikTok account of Michael and Marian, and has had 29.4 million views since it was first posted on February 4. The footage was captured at Southwest Florida International Airport, according to the post. The couple, who are both 33, were traveling home to Detroit from their family condo in the Fort Myers area of Florida, the poster told Newsweek.

A message overlaid on the video read: "Tell me you're pregnant without telling me."

The footage shows a pregnant woman being patted down by a female airport worker. The woman is shown standing still with her arms spread out on the side as the airport worker moves her hands across the passenger's pregnant belly and other parts of her body.

The poster told Newsweek: "At the time of the video I was about 25 weeks pregnant. I was not uncomfortable with the patting down. In fact, I asked to opt out of the scanner. I am a registered nurse and know that it's 'safe' but feel more comfortable making the decision for myself."

A caption shared with the post simply says: "No x-ray scans for her."

In a later comment, the poster wrote: "They tried telling me it's [the airport screening machine] safe. I'm like I don't care, come do your job."

Is It Safe for Pregnant Women To Walk Through Airport Screening Machines?

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says: "All screening equipment at the airport security checkpoint is safe for all travelers, including women who are pregnant.

"All our machines receive a variety of tests to ensure they are safe. They do not use X-rays to produce an image."

A TSA spokesperson told Newsweek that currently "the TSA advanced imaging technology systems for on-person screening utilize safe, non-ionizing, radio frequency millimeter wave technology" to screen people for metallic and non-metallic threats, including weapons, explosives and other objects concealed under clothing.

"The energy projected by millimeter wave technology is thousands of times less than a cell phone transmission," the spokesperson said.

A video on the TSA website further explains that the TSA's "advanced imaging technology and walk-through metal detector systems do not use X-rays to produce the image."

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They instead use "non-ionizing electromagnetic waves that are reflected off the body" and "this just means it's safe for everyone, including those with child," the video notes.

The TSA spokesperson noted that travelers who still prefer to avoid this on-person screening technology at airport checkpoints may opt for pat-down screening.

"At any time during the TSA screening process, travelers may request private screening and have a witness of their choice present. The screening is conducted by a TSA officer of the same gender. The officer will explain the pat-down process before and during the screening," the spokesperson said.

If you are pregnant and traveling, "it's always best to check with your healthcare provider prior to traveling," the TSA adds.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also advises pregnant travelers to contact their airline before flying as "some airlines will let you fly until 36 weeks, but others may have an earlier cutoff."

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'Soothing' and 'Relaxing'

TikTok users had some mixed responses to the latest viral clip.

Franky said: "I would be irritated" and dorky_turtle22 said: "I went through the scanners. I don't want people feeling me up."

H wrote: "It's completely safe to go through them. this is hilarious."

Jocelyn Chey noted: "They're just body scans not X-rays, and they said they're safe! I double checked before I walked through haha."

Some praised the airport worker for her pat-down job, such as vicentagaffney who wrote "she done that very respectfully."

Elli noted "I found the pat down soothing."

LULU agreed, asking "Why does it seem soothing and relaxing."

User plainjane510 noted: "Am I watching a spa treatment asmr video or something? Very relaxing."

Update 3/22/24 7:44 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from the TSA and the original poster.

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