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.
The world doesn't stop or change because you made the choice to bear a child, it is on you to wear a mask to protect yourself. It is not the patient's responsibility to wear a mask to protect you, thats not how it works.
Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.
Not an NP but hopefully this will help your anxiety. I have had three full term pregnancies all in health care. My most recent was in Occ health where I would check in and evaluate patietns with all kinds of rashes, flu, coughs, mucous, the works. My first two were in long term care with exposure to MRSA, CDIFF, etc etc and I just practiced the normal PPE and never got sick. We had a record number of people come through the Occ health clinic last year, positive for influenza, and I was actually the only staff member who did not fall ill because I was very careful about hand washing, close contact to the patient's face, etc. I also never wore a mask. I should have but they drive me nuts. You can get listeria from lunch meat and pick up god knows what at your OB appointments, try not to worry. I actually had my first needle stick in my second trimester, that was fun. But no adverse effects thanfully. Congrats!
Specializes in Pain, critical care, administration, med.
Really??? I would suggest taking leave till after you deliver. Working in a retail clinic I would think the majority of what you see are sick patients.
Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.
You know, I realize OP is being a little over the top, but if it's her first pregnancy, it's normal for some woman to worry about things that are a bit irrational. No need to dump on her and be sarcastic. I love how it's acceptable on here to have extreme anxiety about going to work but having extreme anxiety about anything else is game for some of the bitter betties to hop on here and put people down. I REALLY struggled with anxiety during my pregnancies and even more so with PPD afterwards. I was irrational, worrying about things that normal people really wouldn't. I don't know why pregnancy/post partum hormones do that to me, otherwise I am pretty practical, but it does. I am not saying this is what is going on with OP, but it could be, and it wouldn't kill y'all to have a bit of compassion.
You know, I realize OP is being a little over the top, but if it's her first pregnancy, it's normal for some woman to worry about things that are a bit irrational. No need to dump on her and be sarcastic. I love how it's acceptable on here to have extreme anxiety about going to work but having extreme anxiety about anything else is game for some of the bitter betties to hop on here and put people down. I REALLY struggled with anxiety during my pregnancies and even more so with PPD afterwards. I was irrational, worrying about things that normal people really wouldn't. I don't know why pregnancy/post partum hormones do that to me, otherwise I am pretty practical, but it does. I am not saying this is what is going on with OP, but it could be, and it wouldn't kill y'all to have a bit of compassion.
You know, I realize OP is being a little over the top, but if it's her first pregnancy, it's normal for some woman to worry about things that are a bit irrational. No need to dump on her and be sarcastic. I love how it's acceptable on here to have extreme anxiety about going to work but having extreme anxiety about anything else is game for some of the bitter betties to hop on here and put people down. I REALLY struggled with anxiety during my pregnancies and even more so with PPD afterwards. I was irrational, worrying about things that normal people really wouldn't. I don't know why pregnancy/post partum hormones do that to me, otherwise I am pretty practical, but it does. I am not saying this is what is going on with OP, but it could be, and it wouldn't kill y'all to have a bit of compassion.
Overall I do think the OP got well rounded replies. I especially liked yours and thought it offered excellent, practical advice but I think there is still room for other view points. I don't necessarily think blanket support when someone is heading over the top is always the best or only strategy. The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle but I think we are doing people a disservice when we only offer pats on the back and cyber hugs. There should be room for growth, imo, and often that includes some discomfort.
Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.
I certainly understand not wanting to coddle people, believe me that's one of my pet peeves. But plain rude behavior is one as well. Hopefully this isn't the case, but perhaps OP has had several miscarraiges, never made it into the second trimester, and now she just wants to hear how pregnancy was for other NP's in her position to help ease her fears. I just think people use the attitude "I am a nurse and don't coddle people so suck it up" a little too much and in inappropriate situations here. I know this is reaching, but this is what our career has the bad reputation of "eating their young". You can rule with an no nonsense attitude but sometimes people just need a pat on the back, encouraging advice, or a damn hug. And that's okay too. In fact our job enviroments would not be so damn toxic if managers were to, in these and other situations, say "hey it's ok, we are all human, let me tell you my experience so you can learn from this". I just get irritated with all the hate in healthcare and in general.
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I know exactly where you work. I worked there for about 8 months and was totally burned out. The patients will only get worse about wearing a mask as the cold and flu season becomes full force. We had a lot of Practitioners out last year with the flu, and we had to close some of the clinics. I told the patients that I would not see them if they were coughing, sneezing, running a fever and did not wear a mask...you better believe they put that mask on. I wore one also. I hope that you don't plan to breast feed and work there...pumping will be a challenge. Congratulations!
DeeAngel
830 Posts
The world doesn't stop or change because you made the choice to bear a child, it is on you to wear a mask to protect yourself. It is not the patient's responsibility to wear a mask to protect you, thats not how it works.