Pregnant and asking pts to wear masks

[steffyh]

So I just entered my 2nd trimester of pregnancy and am feeling good. My biggest frustration is having to ask people to wear a mask if they're sick or have a rash b/c of course they don't see any need. I actually had a women tell me "you're being too sensitive about this" after I told her I'm pregnant (she was presenting w/ a rash).

I work in a retail clinic where 95% of my day is acute visits- I don't know what I'm dealing w/ until I do an exam or a test for flu, strep, etc. I'm vaccinated against the flu and do wear a mask myself when I'm doing pt exams, but despite signs on the sign-in kiosk that say, "IF YOU'RE SICK OR HAVE A RASH PLEASE WEAR A MASK" people don't. My biggest concern is exposure to something I'm potentially not immune to such as 5th disease (am getting labs to check), and being exposed to something that's going to make me and/or baby really sick or worse despite all of my best efforts.

Other pregnant NPs out there w/ advice?

[ixchel]

My one and only question - why don't you wear a mask?

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

YOU should be wearing a mask then. It's fairly simple.

[Lauraingalls, BSN, RN]

She said she does wear a mask.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

My bad. If OP is wearing a mask, should be good. You take just as much risk going to the grocery store / WalMart / church / Burger King honestly.

[ixchel]

Oops!

I understand you are nervous, but PPE and adequate hand hygiene work. You are more at risk for catching something outside of work than at work. At work, you are in a controlled environment and by differential alone, you should know what you need to protect yourself (i.e. Sanitizer vs. washing, etc.) Don't forget, too, that exposure to some contagions during pregnancy can actually help you give baby passive immunity for a short while after birth.

I'll tell you anecdotally that everyone warned me when I started at my hospital not to sit on the chairs there because everyone gets pregnant working there. There have been so many pregnancies since I started, and I haven't heard of one ending poorly or resulting in an overly sick pregger nurse.

PPE is your friend!

[Jensmom7, BSN, RN]

If you were in the hospital and had to wear a mask in an isolation room, the patient wouldn't be required to mask as well.

Isn't this a bit of overkill??

[canigraduate]

Is there a reason that it matters that you're pregnant?

[mindofmidwifery, ADN]

Is there a reason that it matters that you're pregnant?

Pregnant women have a lower immune system?

[sailornurse]

I work urgent care, I wear a mask during flu season, especially with kids for anyone with URI symptoms. I also use lots of hand sanitizer. Since I started wearing a mask, I have less URIs'. I also encourage the MAs to wear masks when swabbing for strep throats/flu tests or during triage if patients are coughing/sneezing.

Hi Ixchel, you changed your avatar! Is that Justice wearing eyeglasses?

[ixchel]

Hi Ixchel, you changed your avatar! Is that Justice wearing eyeglasses?

That is Hipster Ixchel. God, my brain is mush right now so I am struggling to remember the evolution of her. Perhaps farawyn will swoop in before I find it. Actually..... Maybe that was a texting thing and it was something embarrassing........? [emoji23]

Anyway, Hipster Ixchel did everything WAY before it was cool.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I understand the concern, but if you are worried wear a mask with every ill patient. Make sure you change masks frequently. I'm 6 months along and caught a bad URI about a month ago. I had an awful cough for 4 weeks.. Take care of yourself, get plenty of rest, and push those fluids.