Pregnant, what do i need to avoid????

[83jnurse]

I am pregnant!!! Wondering what diagnoses I need to stay away from? I had heard about shingles/chicken pox for sure in the past, but other than that I have no idea. I work with pediatric patients, it's RSV season now, is this something I should stay away from?

Thanks for your input.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

you are safer at work than you are in the car getting to work.

Standard precautions apply. Anything with vapors should be avoided, and that included cleaning solutions. Wear a mask.

Otherwise, have a happy pregnancy and congratulations!

[Wall-E]

Have you received the H1N1 flu vaccination? They say that pregnant women should get both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccination. Also, make sure you stay away from any airborne illnesses. As long as standard precaution is practiced, I think you should be ok.

Is this your first pregnancy?

[recentpasser]

Always wear a mask, wear gloves and wash your hands.

[travel nurse2009]

wash your hands! wash your hands! wash your hands! also don't forget to use moisturizer so skin on your hands doesn't crack.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Congratulations. Please talk with an OB or midwife at your earliest opportunity to discuss how to maintain a healthy pregnancy and the best outcome. I wish you the best!

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

SRLSY...avoid people that all they want to do is give you advice. You know the ones that know everything. Avoid the wives tales.

Smilingblue eyes...has the best piece of info....ASK YOUR DOC.

There are tons of posts/ threads on pregnant nurses. Everyplace is different on what your team members will let you avoid or want you to avoid.

I've had 5 babies and I've lucked out with have a great staff/ team. Some wouldn't even let me come into certain rooms. Heaven forbid I try to lift or help turn someone etc.

Remember...you are pregnant...not broken or sick. (Well..for the most part your not "sick")

Congrats!!!!

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

Watch out for x-rays and Fifths disease also (any child with bright red cheeks giving a "slapped cheek" appearance is suspicious for fifths until proven otherwise).

[Susan9608]

I just had my first baby 2 weeks ago, and I also work in pediatrics (pedi ICU.) It is a difficult population to work with when you're pregnant - not just because of the infections, but also because you see *everything* that can be wrong or go wrong with kids, and it makes you worry even more than you already are.

My OB wanted me to avoid H1N1 patients, even after I had the vaccine. She also wanted me to avoid TORCH diseases, radiation, and chemo drugs. It was difficult to get safe assignments, but since I had documentation from my doctor, my unit worked really hard to accommodate me.

I would ask your OB specifically what kinds of assignments would be unsafe for you.

Also watch out for the "curse of the nurse" ... according to my OB, lots of nurses, for one reason or another, end up on bed rest. Take care of yourself and congrats on your baby!

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

One thing that might set your mind at ease is to have titers drawn to see what you are immune to. My OB did this with me when I was inadvertently exposed to Fifth disease, and it probably wouldn't hurt to do for other viruses either.

[Williss2]

It is so funny that this post is up today. I just recently found out that I am 2 months pregnant. Already, I had a threatened miscarriage and was placed on bedrest for a while. (and Progesterone). My supervisor thought that I had an actual miscarriage and asked can I be back to work in 2 days. I've already been given assignments that was refused. (Shingles and H1N1). I refused a pt today on MRSA and H1N1 precautions. They called the house coordinator on me and I still stood my ground. I work on General surgery and Bariatrics for now. The way this pregnancy and my job is going, I think I'll be putting my 2 weeks in soon. But CONGRATS to the OP, and I pray that you have a supportive team.