Pregnant...4 weeks...advice on sharing news at work.

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi,

I just found out I am pregnant!! We have been trying for some time now about 4 years! (YIPPPIIEEE!!!) If I had my way I would wait until the 7 week u/s (I am 4 almost 5 weeks now) I don't think I can keep it to myself that long simply because of the work we do. We are exposed to so many things cytotoxic meds, radioactive pt's, certain iso's etc.

I will share some background info. There is one co-worker that since the day she met me she has asked me about having babies. I have tried to change the subject and even told her I don't want to talk to her about it. This has gone on for about 5 years now. Another co-worker I confided in a few years back, spilled the beans that hubby and I were trying to the entire shift just 2 weeks ago. I just want my space and not a lot of attention. I am scared and happy all at the same time. I just want a healthy happy little baby!! (OH I can't wait!!)

I don't want to go in shift by shift and hope that I don't have to change my assignment. I am afraid that this will only lead to more rumors and more stress. So I think it is best that I just come out and say it at report on my next shift. Any words of advice any helpful hints on how to deal with all of this? It is all so very new to me!!

Thanks!

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Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

no advice to give, but just wanted to say :ancong!:

sharpeimom:paw::paw:

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Specializes in nursery, L and D.

If you really don't want to share the news right now wait until something comes up that you might have to question/refuse and only tell your supervisor. You really don't have to share personal info if you don't want to. I am currently 14 weeks with my 4th, and the day after I found out I told my supervisor b/c I consider her a friend. Well, that day we happened to have a nurses meeting and she announced it to everyone!! With my history of miscarriage and problems, I really didn't want to tell everyone so early, couldn't believe she did that!

BTW..........BIG congrats and hope all goes well!!

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Specializes in ICU.

talk to your charge nurse, let her know it's still early and your not ready to share the news yet, but help with appropriate assignments would be appreciated. most people are willing to accommodate as long as your still putting in the effort and not being the 'oh... can you go empty the bed pan for me.... I'm pregnant you know... ' on that same note, don't do things that could potentially cause harm... make sure your MD / NP knows what you do, they usually have good advice on what to do / not to do and how to approach the situation.

Get some good shoes, consider compression stockings, load up on great quick snacks (almonds, string cheese, apples and pb...mmmm to keep in your locker and drink lots of water.

Prenatal massages RULE!! especially after a long shift... I loved acupuncture too...

Congratulations!!

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Specializes in ICU.

talk to your charge nurse, let her know it's still early and your not ready to share the news yet, but help with appropriate assignments would be appreciated. most people are willing to accommodate as long as your still putting in the effort and not being the 'oh... can you go empty the bed pan for me.... I'm pregnant you know... ' on that same note, don't do things that could potentially cause harm... make sure your MD / NP knows what you do, they usually have good advice on what to do / not to do and how to approach the situation.

Get some good shoes, consider compression stockings, load up on great quick snacks (almonds, string cheese, apples and pb...mmmm to keep in your locker and drink lots of water.

Prenatal massages RULE!! especially after a long shift... I loved acupuncture too...

Congratulations!!

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Specializes in 12 years exp in corporate healthcare.

:ancong!: First of all...and 2nd I agree with "Crissrn27"..I've had a miscarriage (not to be ngative) and I told my co-workers before my first ultrasound and I will never do that again. It's just my opinion is to wait until your first ultrasound..but for right now, Celebrate!!...I have a friend who is to tell nobody until after 3 months of pregnancy..its her religious beliefs. I thought that was a good idea and I'm going by that!...Keep us posted!!!

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

i didn't tell anyone until i was almost 22 weeks pregnant. i work on a tele floor and believe me we hoof it, the patients are so heavy and we have 8 of them. i was just really, really careful and asked for alot of help... i confided in the CNA's before i told any supervisors. i had lost a pregnancy previously and i was afraid to tell anyone before the 20 week mark.

and the second everyone knew-- my assignments got progressively worse--like i'm talking more isolation pts, more 400 pound pts, more abusive patients. one charge nurse was always super helpful and supportive, and the other told on me for not wanting to push a bed over from ICU and then pull the patient over from it. when i asked her to switch my assignment from a pt with acinetobacter pneumonia with a very goopy cough she said "too bad, no one likes droplet patients". i hope you do not work with any charge nurses like this.

i personally would wait until you are past your 1st trimester to announce your wonderful news to everyone. if there is one supervisor you trust, then tell them. be extra careful, wear extra gloves and if someone even remotely sounds like the flu refuse the assignment, carry extra snacks, take your breaks and wear support hose.....

i am now out at 34 weeks on bedrest and lord am i glad. i was scared all the time from standing for 12 hours that my water would break in someone's room.

god bless you and your new little miracle, congratulations on your pregnancy!!!!! please take good care of you!!!!

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Specializes in LTC.

Congratulations!!!!!!

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Thanks for all of the replies. I work on a very supportive floor and we all work together as a team. Two people already know that I am pregnant. The girl I ride to work with. The other.....I asked him to find another nurse to assist him with an droplet iso pt. He looked at me for a minute....thought about it. said "Really!?!" I always help, I never say no. He was very excited he knew right there. I am tall and slender and I am sure I will show in no time. Plus if you saw the way I am eating....... I worked a few days ago and one of my co-workers looked at me in shock as I ate my snack......my 4th snack.

I have a few days to digest it all and figure out what I want to do.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
Thanks for all of the replies. I work on a very supportive floor and we all work together as a team. Two people already know that I am pregnant. The girl I ride to work with. The other.....I asked him to find another nurse to assist him with an droplet iso pt. He looked at me for a minute....thought about it. said "Really!?!" I always help, I never say no. He was very excited he knew right there. I am tall and slender and I am sure I will show in no time. Plus if you saw the way I am eating....... I worked a few days ago and one of my co-workers looked at me in shock as I ate my snack......my 4th snack.

I have a few days to digest it all and figure out what I want to do.

You can eat at 4 weeks!?! That deserves a conga rats all by itself! I could barely eat until I was at least 4 months...I actually lost 20 pounds. At 30 weeks, I only weight 5 pounds over my starting weight--but I am a heavy girl.

If two people already know, it is no time before the whole facility will - at least that was my situation. My mom, who works at my hospital on another floor, encourged me to tell people early on, even though I feared miscarriage. Her reasoning was that if something did go wrong, I would be devasated, and might find I recovered better with their support then if I tried to hide it. And I think she was right. A few months before I found I was expecting, another nurse's attitude changed. She rude, hard to deal with, and unhappy-not her usual. She later revealed she had suffered a miscarriage.

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Congratulations, first of all! I will tell the NM and the Charge RN just so they know, and that they wouldn't think I'm bored and disinterested during meetings, etc. if I have to go on frequent (than my usual) restroom breaks. At the same time, I'll tell them that I will appreciate it if they don't share the happy news yet with everybody as I am not ready for that yet.

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Specializes in med/surg , hospice and oncology.

time for the oh' so cute baby dance!

:dncgbby::lttang:

" a baby is god's gift that the world should go on"

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