Pregnant & Working... When to Tell?

[LNDRN2]

I work L&D at a busy hospital (we delivered 4000+ babies in 2009 alone) & am 7 weeks pregnant. We deal with all sized patients & with all sorts of medical problems during pregnancy. My question is, when should I tell my coworkers I'm expecting? I'm just afraid that I might put myself into normal work situations (that might be considered dangerous while pregnant) because I don't want anyone finding out.

Any suggestions??

[Stacy in North Texas]

I would tell them sooner rather than later. It would be better if they knew before you are potentially assigned a pt that might not be good for you to care for. I worked in L&D when I was pregnant with my 1st baby (also in a very busy teaching hospital) and my co-workers were super supportive of me. I pretty much did all assignments except for those that might have put my baby in danger (infectious, contagious patients, combative, etc.). I never used my pregnancy to get out of doing work, though. Pregnant women (who are healthy) can do the physical work required of an L&D nurse. I would bet that your co-workers will be willing to help you out with moving and lifting if necessary. Best wishes to you.

[FLMom3, RN]

I would tell my boss soon, but everyone else can wait until you're ready for them to know. Chances are tho, it'll leak out from some charge nurse complaining you can't a certain pt. because of your condition. Good luck.

[LiverpoolJane]

Agree with FLMom3, you need to tell your line manager as I would assume he/she needs to carry out a risk assessment, at least that is what we are obliged do in the UK.

[babyktchr, BSN, RN]

On my unit we celebrate our staff being pregnant, so I am at a loss why it would be such a big deal to say something. We are much smaller in comparison, so maybe that is the difference....but really, in any situation, pregnant or not, you should be taking careful precautions against injury on the job. I would certainly hope that even before you were pregnant you would ask for help to move a bed or turn a more fluffy patient etc. Ultimately it is your business, but they will find out sooner or later. Best you say something at least to your manager.....we like to know about things like that to plan for when you are out on maternity leave. Congratulations!!!!!!!

[guiltysins]

On my unit we celebrate our staff being pregnant, so I am at a loss why it would be such a big deal to say something. We are much smaller in comparison, so maybe that is the difference....but really, in any situation, pregnant or not, you should be taking careful precautions against injury on the job. I would certainly hope that even before you were pregnant you would ask for help to move a bed or turn a more fluffy patient etc. Ultimately it is your business, but they will find out sooner or later. Best you say something at least to your manager.....we like to know about things like that to plan for when you are out on maternity leave. Congratulations!!!!!!!

First of all, I love the whole "fluffy patient" phrase lol

Second, I think she's nervous because she doesn't want fellow co-workers thinking that she would use her condition to work less and things along those lines.

[eden]

I would have waited until somewhere between 8-10 weeks to be sure everything was going well but in my case when I went in for bloodwork, someone blabbed and the entire staff knew when I was 5 weeks. I work in a similarly large teaching facility and if I had not yet announced my pregnancy and been in a situation where I thought it was a risk for my baby, I would have had said something at that point ( no matter how many weeks).

[NJNursing, ASN, RN]

I waited until I was about 10 weeks along to tell my manager and 14 weeks to tell my co-workers. I had a history of miscarriage in the past and I didn't want to tell everyone and then get faces of well placed consolation if I were to lose the baby. I worked until 38 weeks and the other nurses/aids babied me more than I babied myself. If I went to pull up/turn a pt, they would all just come and shove me out of the way. Even the thin ones. It irked me at times, but it just showed how much they cared about me.

[idahosara]

I recently found out I am 7 weeks pregnant with my first. Unfortunately I was forced to tell my coworkers in a way. A couple weeks ago I was assigned a patient with viral encephalopathy; another with TB. So immediately I had to tell the charge and be reassigned to another group. Although initially I was bummed that I had to let the secret out so soon; now I love it! It is amazing how many other nursing staff are willing to help me with things like turning and lifting patients. (I work on a Bariatric floor; so this is especially hard!) Everyone is also very mindful that I don't get assigned contagious/infectious patients, nor do I take any radiation rooms. I think every nurse should tell at least the charge nurse so you don't get exposed to patients who could potentially harm your baby or even make you miscarry.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I would tell them sooner rather than later. It would be better if they knew before you are potentially assigned a pt that might not be good for you to care for. I worked in L&D when I was pregnant with my 1st baby (also in a very busy teaching hospital) and my co-workers were super supportive of me. I pretty much did all assignments except for those that might have put my baby in danger (infectious, contagious patients, combative, etc.). I never used my pregnancy to get out of doing work, though. Pregnant women (who are healthy) can do the physical work required of an L&D nurse. I would bet that your co-workers will be willing to help you out with moving and lifting if necessary. Best wishes to you.

agree; sooner than later. avoid potential injury!!!!