Pregnant RN in the ER

[RNintheER]

Ok. I became an RN in June and have worked in a small rural town ER ever since. I love it! I work triage, trauma, side rooms and halls depending on the day. My problem is that I just found out that I am 10 weeks pregnant. I have been super sick with nausea and sometimes vomiting. Since I work nights my "morning sickness" is all day sickness. I feel awful. I have called in to work twice in the last month because of it (I actually thought I had the flu!). Our hospital is small so we often have bed holds becuase our medsurg, tele and icu floors are full of patients. We hold up to 25 patients sometimes which leaves no room for new incoming ER patients. We don't get extra staffing for this so we end up working extra hard to take care of everyone. Because this is CA, we have staffing ratios but that just means that your name is only next to 4 patient rooms but you are expected to help out with the others.

My main problem is that my nausea is triggered by the smell of urine and feces. I vomit and in the ER seriously I put in several foley's each shift. I don't know what to do. I have a MD appt Jan 4th but should I talk to management about my problems. I don't want them to think that I am not trying but I work 2 nights in a row and come home and sleep for the remainder of the week and then I work 3 or 4 in a row and it is worse. I never see my husband and daughter because I am so nauseated. I don't know if being off work for a few weeks until the first trimester nausea goes away would help or even be feasible at this point .... we are always short nurses. What would be my best way of going about this?

[EDValerieRN, ASN, RN]

My morning sickness is also all-day-all-night sickness. I got some zofran from my doc (expensive, but worth it). I've only called in once... and that was because I was gonna be admitted with hyperemesis.

When I work trauma under the lights and the lead, it's especially bad. I'll usually trade someone another assignment so I don't have to do all that. Chew gum, which will help with the smells, and if you need to, put on a mask with some peppermint oil. Just explain to your patients the morning sickness and they shouldn't get offended.

I've also got all the bathrooms mapped out, and I carry an emesis bag in my pocket as well, just in case.

You're already ten weeks (me too)... they say the sickness usually goes away by the 13th week, so keep your head up! You can make it!

Also, do this: take a vitamin B-6 with half of a Unisom tablet, do it every six hours around the clock. It won't make you tired, and it really prevents the nausea. It has to be a preventative thing though, it won't work if you're already feeling sick.

Also try carrying some Emetrol in your pocket to take when you feel like barfing... some say Ginger works, but it hasn't for me.

[mmutk, BSN, RN, EMT-I]

Being pregnant in the ER makes me nervous

[TrudyRN]

I guess you should do whatever you have to do to survive. I really don't know how to advise or help you other than that.

[Martibear]

I worked as a pregnant ED RN. I found out I was pregnant in December & was due in July. I was admitted several times for hyperemesis. I then began to swell. EVERYWHERE. Good lord was I huge. I retained so much water my fingers looked like little sausages. I ended up getting a FMLA & leaving in June & retuning mid Sept. (unplanned c-section) I wish ya the best, it sure wasn't easy! Hopefully your morning sickness will go away with the end of your 1st trimester. I wish mine did. I was sick for 10 months. Of course she was LATE too.

Once again I wish you the best, remember the most important thing is to take care of yourself.

[CHATSDALE]

i too have experienced with ms HORRID, take good careof yourself and your baby

good luck, wish i could offer you with some worthwhile advise

[JBudd, MSN]

I lost 10 pounds first trimester with my last one, got put on oral phenergan which really helped. When the "tiredness" from the phen became worse than the nausea, it was time to quit taking it!

I've heard of the mask idea before, worth a try. Good luck! and congratulations!

[willdgate]

honey don"t try to impress anybody you never will do you good luck!!!