Getting pregnant while taking lab courses

[Adams_Mommy_07]

For reasons too complicated to explain, we are in a crunch to have our next child. I was thinking of getting pregnant in March or April of next year the trouble is I will be enrolled in Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology II, and Organic and Biochemistry. Do any of these classes deal with hazardous chemicals that I can not take procautions against? I know higher levels like Organic Chemistry should not be taken regardless while pregnant--but what of these courses?

[scientist]

I just completed the year long organic chemistry sequence (the higher level one) and the labs were horribly hazardous but my friend completed it and she was pregnant. The professor made special arrangements for her to only work under a fume hood and to partner up with someone on the experiments the utilized the more nasty chemicals.

I would talk to each professor of these labs and see if you can get any sort of accommodations and what they recommend.

[smilingjaguar]

My professor gives the material safety data sheet to anyone who gets pregnant and tells them to discuss the chemicals with their OB/GYN. It's really the safest thing to do as some of those chemicals just shouldn't be around a growing baby.

I'm pregnant right now and will not be taking lab classes this year due to OB/GYN's advice on the chemicals involved.

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

"

Getting pregnant while taking lab courses"

Your A&P labs sound more exciting than mine were.

[jman21050]

Talk about hands on lab!

[serendipity123]

I agree about talking to the professors beforehand. If you can't get ahold of each of them individually I would try to ask an academic advisor or someone else who may know. One of the schools I went to had a "lab coordinator" who was in charge of all the labs, so if there is someone like that I would definitely recommend talking to them. They help to create the lab cirriculum... so they will definitely know.

Basically, it depends on the school. Some schools don't use any harmful chemicals... others use them quite excessively. I would inquire about it before I got a bun in the oven, just to make sure.

[AliciaRNstudent]

I was pregnant when I took anatomy 2. My teacher opened the class doors when we did the fetal pig to let the air circulate. He had me wait outside for a couple of minutes after opening the bags. My baby was never harmed. You should be fine. I wouldnt worry about it. Just discuss it with your instructors. Good luck with the class. I liked anatomy 2 way better than the first one.

[AtomicWoman]

Please talk about this with your physician. None of us are qualified to answer your question. Last year, a pregnant woman asked my Chemistry teacher if it was OK for her to do labs. He (rightly) told her that no way was he going to make that judgment call. He told her to show her doctor the list of chemicals we'd be using. Frankly, there were items on that list that I would definitely not want to be around if I were pregnant.

As for microbiology, you'll constantly be working with bacteria. Yes, it's fairly weak, lab-grown bacteria. And yes, we are surrounded by bacteria every moment. But do you want to take the chance? Again, only you, with your doctor's input, can answer these questions.

I hope I don't come off as a sourpuss. Really, I think science courses rock! But no one's assurances here should convince you one way or the other.