[lilShell]

I am a registered nurse and currently have been working in this setting for 1 1/2 years. We do all our chemo mixing and administration. I am currently 2 months pregnant and I am getting conflicting info re: the safety of working w/chemo..
Any advice would be helpful..

Thanks

[jemb]

I found this on the OSHA site. (CDs =cytotoxic drugs):

3. Pregnancy. On the basis of the available evidence, it seems
reasonable to assume that if appropriate procedures are followed,
and proper equipment and protection are provided, reproductive
hazards will be reduced.

a. Employees should be fully informed of the potential
reproductive hazard and, if they so request, staff members who
are pregnant or breast-feeding should be transferred to
comparable duties that do not involve handling CDs.

b. A similar policy covering male or female personnel who are
actively trying to conceive a child should be established.

[renerian]

We never allowed a preggo to give chemo let alone mix. We used to do some of the mixing on the floor which was not good at all. All stuff finally came from pharmacy.

I would not want to give/mix any but I am supper protective.

renerian

[julieK]

I know this thread hasn't been active in a while, but I am a new RN on an onc. floor and will start the process of getting certified in hanging chemo drugs. I am 12 weeks pregnant, and asked my OB who said he didn't see any problem dealing with the chemo drugs since there's nothing airborne, and I'm not likely to get the stuff all over my hands. I still am nervous since I am hearing all of these opinions that folks would be more cautious than that. What are the real dangers?

-Julie

[renerian]

Do you have a hood? I remember mixing without one.

renerian

[julieK]

We don't mix chemo at all as far as I know. It comes premixed from pharmacy.

-Julie

[adria37]

Originally Posted by julieK

We don't mix chemo at all as far as I know. It comes premixed from pharmacy.

-Julie

I would not give or be around it. Oncology nurses have a higher rate of miscarriage and birth defects. I just read a couple of articles about it. The chemo can be airborne from clearing the lines spiking the bags clearing the air out of syrienges. Do a search on it you will find peer reviewed scientific articles about this. Adria