Just started and....

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2014

first off congratulations on your pregnancy. Talk to your OB or midwife, but the average pregnant woman is allowed some caffeine, not much, so it ends up being like 1 cup of coffee/day.

You didn't say how far along you are. Several nurses in my ER are pregnant, and they all opted to wait until after they were past the first trimester to tell management or coworkers. Obviously though if the need for you to be in the same room as an x-ray, dealing with a pt's body fluids that recently received chemo, or a pt that is CMV + you may want to tell your preceptor or charge nurse sooner

mish_RN · Feb 26, 2014

Was told still very early in the pregnancy, poss 4-5 weeks. Worried because just started a new job then no benefits until April and the risk of exposure at work. I don't want to say much because it's still early. As for the caffeine, I can have less than 220 mg a day, which is more than enough :)

zmansc, ASN, RN · Feb 26, 2014

I'm not sure I understand why you would wait to inform your supervisor. It just seems like the sooner you inform them the earlier they can start to prepare for the eventual situation of your maternity leave. Maybe I'm missing something.

CountryMomma, ASN, RN · Feb 26, 2014

I'm not sure I understand why you would wait to inform your supervisor. It just seems like the sooner you inform them the earlier they can start to prepare for the eventual situation of your maternity leave. Maybe I'm missing something.

Many people don't tell anyone before 10 weeks, often related to miscarriage fears or personal reticence.

Is there a policy at your new employer? Or maybe a nurse you are friendly with to ask, just as a curiosity thing?

mish_RN · Feb 27, 2014

My fear comes from telling before the first trimester, worried I'll jinx it. Although I was very worried the other night, had a lot of pts With the flu, diarrhea, hiv, etc. Then not to mention a very combative pt. And lastly, worried about benefits. Will it cover my pregnancy since I'm still new? Pretty certain I got knocked up after I signed on, but never had to worry about this before because this a private hospital which explained the benefits vaguely.

Sassy5d · Feb 27, 2014

I would wait until you're in your 2nd trimester. It really is none of their business otherwise.

zmansc, ASN, RN · Feb 27, 2014

That makes sense, I wasn't suggesting you needed to tell them today, I was just curious why you would wait. I know when I was a supervisor I would be appreciative of someone giving me as much advanced noticed as possible about any change or need they would have. It made me want to help them with their circumstances, where if I heard something through the grapevine and then they came to me, I would feel like they were obviously not interested in working with me, so why should I work with them. If your not planning on telling others until the 2nd trimester, than I think that would be appropriate to wait to tell your management until then as well.