Pregnant in the ICU

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Specializes in PICU, OB/GYN.

Hello,

I recently found out I am pregnant. I also just started working in the ICU. Are there things that I should look out for that could potentially harm the pregnancy? I am a little paranoid, as this is my 3rd pregnancy after 2 miscarriages, so naturally, I would like to be as cautious as possible.

Thank you.

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Heavy lifting/pulling/boosting/etc. H1N1.... I'm not pregnant yet but those are my biggest concerns. Talk to your OB as well and see what concerns (if any) they might have. Also, talk to other nurses that have been pregnant and see what they suggest. Good luck and CONGRATS!!!

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Specializes in ICU and EMS.

Don't forget about CMV+ patients. Pregnant nurses should not care for them.

Congrats, good luck, and keep us posted!!!!

:hpygrp::ancong!::hpygrp:

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Specializes in NICU.

radiology studies, bedside xrays

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Specializes in PICU, OB/GYN.

Thank you all for the replies! I appreciate it! :)

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Specializes in ER, L&D, ICU, LTC, HH.

I transferred to L&D when I was pregnant with my daughter because ICU has so many of the bad germs in almost all the patients.

~Willow

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Yeah... just be careful of the petri dish patients and try not to take them if possible... lol

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I'm not pregnant, but I was told that I should expect to get sick more often during the first few years I start working in the ICU. It's hard to say really ... I'm sure there have been many people who have had successful pregnancies while working in the ICU, but to be on the safe side I would take a LOA.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

And don't forget handling cytotoxic drugs and the effluent from patients taking them. Make sure if you're caring for a transplant patient or an oncology patient to make sure you follow handling precautions for those meds and the body fluids of those patients TO THE LETTER.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

Congratulations 1st off.

I'm really lucky, my work has a policy that when pregnant, you can't get any of the patient's who are on isolation precautions (thankfully). I'm also in ICU. The heavy lifting really shouldn't be a concern until you start to gain weight? I've been helping lift heavy patients so far just fine, but I am in my 1st trimester and have actually only lost a few lbs so far.

I plan on going on disability in my 2nd trimester (they will probably make me anyway). I have a heart defect.

If you address your concerns at work, I'm sure they will accommodate you somehow. If they aren't able to, transferring to L & D for the time being might not be a bad idea.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

CONGRATULATIONS! Please be sure to discuss your job with your OB and if need be, get his or her advice on EXACTLY what to avoid in order to have a healthy pregnancy. Here is to a happy and healthy 9 months and beyond!

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

Nurses have been getting pregnant for a long time!!! And they work everywhere. You must avoid CMV patients, and any other suspected viruses.

Unless you work with chemo, most meds should not be a problem.

Years ago, they did some studies with OR nurses - - seems like being around the anesthetic gases misht have been an issue.

Please keep in mind that women from all walks of life get pregnant and manage very well. I worked in acute dialysis with my first baby, and on a reproductive surgery unit with my second. I knew one nurse who worked until her shift was over at 3:30 pm, and had some back pain. Due date was still about a week away. She delivered at 5 pm!

Hope all goes well for you!.

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