I am physically sick with worry :(

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Ever just feel so stupid and ask yourself why did I do that? Like common sense just flew by for about 5 minutes. Well that happened to me today. I am 18 weeks pregnant and work on a cardiac step down unit. I was giving medications like always, but after washing my hands I just opened the containers and dropped the pills in the container without gloves. I never touched the medication, but it was methotrexate and I just froze and washed my hands. I went to the pharamicist and they all treated me like a dummy...they said "well if you didn't touch the medication why are you so worried" is all I got from them. So helpful. And then I got "do you honestly think any of the medication was absorbed through your skin that quickly?" I wanted to cry with lack of care or concern for me. I even asked an oncologist I hardly even knew in the hallway for his opinion and I got about the same response. Nobody understood my feelings for my unborn child. I just can't help but worry now. I have already had an ultrasound and everything was perfect but can only fear the worse.

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Specializes in CVICU.

Just imagine all of the toxins and chemicals we are all exposed to every day and never know about it. This is probably no different. You MAY have touched a TINY amount of methotrexate and then IMMEDIATELY washed your hands. You probably expose your baby to higher levels of toxins while walking through a busy parking lot. The chances of any meaningful amount of the drug getting into your system are.. well basically impossible.

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Specializes in multispecialty ICU, SICU including CV.

Are you ok?

I'm just asking because it seems like this is a relatively minor concern (you almost touched something teratogenic for two seconds?) and you have been reassured by a whole lot of people, it sounds like.

Now, I know pregnant people are hormonal, and I'm guessing this is baby number one...but really, this seems like an excessive amount of anxiety over this. Again --- are you sure you're ok? Is this how you react to most concerns of yours, or are you just all whacked out right now? Do you need to talk to your OB about your mood?

I was probably exposed to radiation, C.Diff, pseudomonas, gram negatives, gram positives, and did wayyyy too much lifting for a pregnant woman when I had mine. My babies were happy and healthy. Your body can filter out a fair amount of abuse, and that protects the baby. Not that you shouldn't strive to be as healthy as you can be and watch out for stuff that might be harmful, but, still.

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Specializes in Home Health, Nursing Education.

you will be fine!!! I think it is more important to relax right now. Baby does NOT need mom stressed... that is bad for baby, too.

You have been reassured by professionals, AND you have critical thinking capabilities. Put your feet up, have some hot cocoa, and.... smile.

:)

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Call your OB and get the final opinion (and reassurance). You didn't touch it and you learned a great lesson you will never forget.

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Specializes in Peds, PACU, ICU, ER, OB, MED-Surg,.

Methotrexate is tetrogenic because how it works in the body. It inhibits folic acid, which is needed by the cells to replicate. We all know we need extra folic acid when we get pregnant. I don't think touching the medication would effect you at all. People on MTX have to build up to the correct level and cannot miss doses. I'm not saying you should not be careful handling medication. I'm saying you are overblowing this situation and putting stress on you and your child. I can remember when they blew ribavirin in the faces of the babies with RSV and we went in and out of the rooms willy/nilly, it is considered a carcinogen. Take your precautions but don't beat yourself up over something that almost happened, that may not have even been harmful.

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Specializes in Aged Care, Midwifery, Palliative Care.

Speak to your obstetrician but I beleive at 18 weeks your baby is safe. All organs are formed by this stage and you didn't touch the medication either. Its natural to be concerned about your baby, nothing wrong with that.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

Let's snap you back to reaity so you can stop obsessing.

1. You touched it for a minimal amount of time.

2. You touched it It's done. You can't "untouch it".

3. Worrying will make YOU sick, hence your baby too.

4. You are obsessing.

5. STOP.

J

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Let's snap you back to reaity so you can stop obsessing.

1. You touched it for a minimal amount of time.

2. You touched it It's done. You can't "untouch it".

J

But that's the thing. She said she didn't touch it.

To the OP:

The fact that you didn't even touch the methotrexate may be what's raising the eyebrows of the folks you have turned to. If you didn't touch it at all, it doesn't matter whether you were wearing gloves or not. Even if you did touch it, the exposure you're speaking of is so minute that it wouldn't matter.

If you are still worried, call your OB.

If you are still worried after that, contact the Employee Assistance Program at your hospital (many have EAPs, most programs are free) and see if a counselor can help you determine what's really behind such a high (and unwarranted) level of anxiety. You wouldn't be the first expectant mama to weave a basketful of concerns into a giant blanket of fear.

I hope you feel better soon.

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You are being beyond irrational if you didn't actually touch it. Even if you had momentarily made contact, the skin is designed to keep stuff out not in. That's why transdermal routes are not used more. Please chill out... or the next 22 weeks of pregnancy and 18+ years of parenting will have you in a room with rubber wallpaper and a straitjacket.

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Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

Are you this anxious usually? Or just since you found out you were pregnant?

Because, seriously,I find it disturbing that a nurse would get alarmed over something like this? If everything is exactly as you stated, do you understand the rediculousness of your concern? Or is it that you just dont have the knowledge that there is not a hazard in what you "did"?

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:)I remember being pregnant and worrying about harming my babies all the time. Thank God all of them are healthy!! Anyway, it's normal for expecting parents, especially the mom carrying the baby, to worry. Try to remain rational whenever you start feeling this way and eventually you will feel better. Even if you did come in contact with a carcinogen, (which you didn't), your baby's organs are developed and now he is just growing. Try too remember that and eventually you will feel better. Have a healthy and stress-free rest of your pregnancy!

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