the runaround

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Just found out I am 6 weeks pregnant. I work on a busy med surg floor and see just about everything. I know there was a discussion a time back about pregnant nurses and what patients to avoid caring for. I have talked to some other nurses who suggest no CMV, measles, herpes or anything with repiratory isolation (droplet or airborne). I called infection control today and they said I could care for everyone except someone with measles or chicken pox if we hadnt been exposed as a child (I have).

I know we have universal precations etc but for some reason I feel uncomfortable working with patients especially in airborne isolation for TB! When I asked the asst manager to request to not have these patients she just glared and said that infection control states that I can. UGh.

I have also heard of not caring for mrsa/vre because if you potentially get exposed the drugs to treat them are limited.

What do you all think? Should I just go ahead and take care of these patients and just be "extra" careful or am I just paranoid about this stuff because this is my first pregnancy?

0 Votes
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I think you better contact your health care provider regarding your job/risks and discuss this. I personally would NOT want to work med-surge pregnant for many reasons, one of them being you are putting yourself at risk for preterm labor just working as hard as you will. I would strongly consider going to work ONLY part-time, if you are not already. And I would be careful about working any longer than 8 hour shifts. Being on your feet for extended periods, not drinking enough water and using the restroom often are risky enough and are leading causes of preterm labor........let alone all the hazards you would be exposed to in med-surge. So, call your doctor/midwife ASAP about this. JMO. Good luck!

0 Votes
Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

Well, OB is the furthest thing from my specialty, but I always try to be considerate of pregnant coworkers. I don't assign then communicable patients. Just believe on erring on the side of caution.

(BTW - you also should not be around pt's with shingles.)

I'd be more concerned as time goes by about the physical demands of your work as Smilingblueyes noted.

How about some feedback from nurses who have worked pregnant?

0 Votes

I don't know squat about OB but...

I do know enough that I don't give a S**T what they say about CMV...kitty litter boxes are a big no-no for pregnant women for that reason. (Daughter is 12 weeks along, we have all been taking turns doing her kitty box).

I would go to your OB and get a list of specifics in writing. Seems to me that your employer would be willing to make some accomidations.

0 Votes

and not allowed to handle proscar, or be exposed to aerosolized riboviran

0 Votes

Gloves Gloves Gloves!!!

I worked through both of my pregnancies and was VERY lucky to have awesome support. I did not have to deal with isolation patients or handle chemo or anything, AND I did not catch any slack about it, if you know what I mean.

My OB didn't have as much of a problem with me working isolation (we don't have any respiratory isolation, only contact) as he did with CMV.

The thing to remember is that some of the antibiotics you hang (and invariably other stuff) can potentially be as dangerous as chemo or infectious diseases. Wear your gloves no matter what you're doing.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. Enjoy it!!

0 Votes

Well, I don't know squat about med/surg so I can't help with which types of pts not to care for, but I do know about OB and I did work all the way through my pregnancy. I would second the advice about working too hard being your biggest risk. Be careful not to do too much lifting, drink TONS of water to prevent preterm labor, and get off your feet at every opportunity. If, later on in your pregnancy, you start having contractions while you are working, do not ignore them - preterm labor can be prevented if treated early! Congrats and have fun being pregnant!

0 Votes

And don't work w/pts who have fifth's disease either when you're in the 1st trimester.

I'm an OB nurse too, but man........I don't know all the funky diseases y'all come into contact with up there on med-surg, so I agree w/everyone else who said see your doc and go by what s/he says.

P.S.,

CONGRATULATIONS! ;)

0 Votes

P.S.,

CONGRATULATIONS! ;) [/b]

DITTO!! Babies are so awesome.Have fun with your pregnancy and be SAFE.:p

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment