Anyone pregnant or have been preg in OR?

MissJoRN, RN · Jul 14, 2006

I was recently pregnant while working in the OR and it's certainly possible, however I wouldn't have done it in the first year or two (in my own experience) because it does limit the types of cases you can work in, so whomever does your daily assingments has to work around you- you probably won't be allowed in rooms with X-ray (probably OK in correct time "doses" but many ORs won't risk it if they can avoid it), bone cement (absolute no-no), kids (uncuffed ET tubes leak gases), maybe a few other limitors I haven't run into. Mostly I'd be concerned that you would miss out on being properly oriented to the specialties where the risk factors are- ortho, neuro, vascular, peds.

Also, OR is physically demanding- we stand a lot, push stretchers, move beds, slide drowsy (sometimes combative) pts, and carry heavy trays of instuments. I was glad my body was already somewhat used to the work before adding a baby. Since I was PT, though, I know I felt it more than my fellow preggos who were FT and more conditioned to the job. Usually co-workers were really good about making sure there were extra people to do transfers or move large equipment for me, and good about not being resentful when I'd ask for help (or someone would ask on my behalf) That's not always the norm with the OR crowd (at least in my corner of the world)

Is there someone you know in that OR whom you could talk to about your concerns, maybe vaugely like, "I told my aunt who used to work in the OR that I got a job here and she said I'd have to quit if I'd decide to have children... I'm sure that's not true, right?" Then you're not saying that you're trying, but you're not saying you're not. Also, the very second person I told I was pregnant was my nurse manager- before my parents or friends, only my husband knew. In the OR you have to forget the little "rules" women have for when you tell your boss- they need to know ASAP since your baby's health may depend on it! Have you asked your GYN what he/she thinks? Ask as a helthcare provider and also as a collegue- your GYN does work in the OR and might know an inside scoop.

poopsiebear · Jul 23, 2006

I've been in the OR for 5 years and had 2 boys since then. Like MissJoRN said, OR is physically demanding, but it certainly is doable. I am not trying to scare you, but I have only known a handful of nurses who carried their pregnancies to their due dates. A lot of them, and myself included, was on bed rest for one reason or another toward the end of the pregnancies.

It's really important to have a great support team at work. I started having contractions at 20 weeks and my OB told me to take it easy and not take any call. I was on the heart team so the call was too much for me to cover. My co-workers were awesome and took turns covering my calls. My manager also made sure I had pee breaks because there are days I had to go every hour. The relief shift always gave me first lunch because they didn't want the baby and I to starve.

If OR is where you want to be, go for it! Don't let your baby plans stop you from being an OR nurse.

CIRQL8 · Jul 25, 2006

Allow me to add to MissJo's reply - apparently nitrous oxide is also harmful to a fetus. Avoid being near the patient when they are being 'masked' to sleep by N2O (pedi, etc.)

We've had several women in my dept pregnant. They just follow their docs orders, and limit hours if necessary. Family Medical Leave act is wonderful when necessary. Most departments will work with you. It's just the right thing to do.

Don't let pregancy (or even the planning process) keep you out of the OR if that's what you want.