pregnancy and vre

MedLJ801 · Oct 15, 2004

Hi,
I am 12 weeks pregnant and work in LTC. We are getting a new resident who has VRE in their stool, and I am concerned about how to protect my self and my baby from VRE exposure. How likely is it that VRE could be spread to a fetus? What harm could VRE cause for a fetus? I know that nurses need to care for all patients, but are there any precautions a pregnant person should not come in contact with (besides shingles?)
Thank you for your insight.

Good question. I was pregnant while working in our local ER as a unit secretary. Granted I didn't have much patient contact, but once in a while I was observing procedures or answering call lights of certain patients. I never really touched patients. If someone had respiratory MRSA and they coughed, etc., what is the chance I could harm the baby? I may also have MRSA anyway from working in the ER. We don't know when patients come in whether or not they have resp. MRSA. Sometimes we find out when bed desk goes to find a bed for them and sees them on the MRSA or VRE list. If I am carrying MRSA (which I'm sure half our ER has anyway) is that bad when you are pregnant? Anybody know?

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2004

You should use standard universal precautions. Glove and gown if getting close to a "messy" resident. We have a few MRSA and VRE residents in my LTC. I always avoided the "messy" times since my morining sickness was so bad :rotfl:

frann · Oct 16, 2004

Talk to someone in infection control.

When I was preg.-8 years ago, I asked our infection control doctor. He said that we should not go in mrsa or especially vre rooms. If you get mrsa or vre, being preg you could not take the vancomycin. It seems everybody has it now.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2004

Do a search on allnurses. There has been alot said about this.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 17, 2004

I agree with those saying you should take this to your doctor and infection control nurse. They are the best ones to advise you on the risks and how to protect yourself. Remember, you don't always know WHO is infected before you come into contact with them. That is a hazard of our line of work. NO guarantees. Learn how to best protect yourself in ALL situations. Best wishes for a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery! Congratulations to you.

Lauren Janney · Sep 10, 2007

Hi,
I've asked about this on another thread but was told to check with ID about it also. I am 12 weeks preg and was wondering about the risks and effects of getting VRE from a patient on VRE isolation. What extra precautions should I take? Are there any isolations/diseases I should not be exposed to because of my pregnancy (besides shingles)?
Thank you for your input.

Hi! I work in a hospital on the peds bone marrow transplant unit, and Im four months pregnant. I come in contact everday with VRE. I have not not heard that it is any kind of threat to my baby, but I wanted to give you some info. I have been told not to go into any patients rooms who have CMV. It can cause so many birth defects to your baby. Research it online, and you can read more than I can probally tell you.