Along the lines of the "But I have little kids . . . . " thread:
One of my co-workers announced her pregnancy this week, stating that she was no longer willing to work weekends or holidays because she's going to be a parent. She also has to have Christmas off because this is going to be her last child-free Christmas. Oh and by the way, she can't take care of anyone with VRE, MRSA, or any other type of isolation. "Yukky wounds" make her nauseous, so she can't take those patients -- in fact, wouldn't it be best to just have her do charge all the time?
We're a large unit and have 1 - 6 nurses pregnant at any given time. Plus there are those who can't travel to interventional radiology, take infected patients, etc. because they're TRYING to get pregnant.
The last nurse to have her baby had to sit in the chair her entire shift "because I'm pregnant," and had orientees to do everything for her. Not the role of I preceptor, I'm thinking!
What's the strangest/most irritating thing you've had a coworker demand because she's pregnant?
Can't help but respond to the concept of "Sisters in waiting" and that male nurses need not respond.
No, I don't have uterus and will never be pregnant, but as a coworker and a supervisor it does affect me and I choose to participate in this thread.
The idea of a "sisterhood" is too elitist for me.
(Of course, considering the source, a person with no understanding of the obese or of a person who might need a little help in the way of antidepressants and sleeping pills, I'm not getting too offended.)
Nice to have a male opinion, especially from one who works with women everyday as you do in the healthcare field. Thanks for your input here. It's appreciated by me. :kiss
I work labor and delivery and have had 2 children in that time. The only thing that I would refuse to do because of pregancy is to take care of a fetal demise-after I was showing. I felt that it would be too uncomfortable for the patient.
I worked all night shifts and with both of my babies, went into labor while I was working, finally gave in and had a coworker check me and was 7-8 cm.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Ok sorry but I have to say something here:
Regarding the "cord around the neck" comment by Passing-thru! I think it was irresponsible and misleading. First off, I have seen COUNTLESS "cord around the neck" incidences (also known as nuchal cord) in my years as an OB nurse. Further, 99% of these cases, while not necessarily what one would term as benign situations, turned out PERFECTLY HEALTHY an these babies transitioned NORMALLY. The two cases I was witness to in 6 years, whereby a fetal death was attributed to cord incident, actually were in moms where were on BEDREST (one of them carrying twins) and/or already categorized as high risk.
Also, NOT ONE nuchal cord incident was EVER attributed to ANYTHING a mother ever did while pregnant, including her line of work; it was likely fetal movement unrelated to external events that caused these cords to become wrapped around necks, bodies, and limbs. (you would be amazed how some of these kids get all twisted up in their cords). And like I said before, the vast majority turned out FINE, despite the condition. Rarer, still, a "true knot" in a cord, is more serious but even then, only ONE fetal death I SAW myself could be attributed to this rare condition.
Pregnant women have enough to worry about without being told that by working, (or playing), they risk causing cord accidents and possible fetal death.........I have never heard EVER this was the case anyhow. WE can't control how the baby moves about in the womb, especially when they are small and there is room to "swim"......
Very misleading statement I felt I HAD TO CLEAR up here, thank you.:zzzzz
Specializes in ER,Neurology, Endocrinology, Pulmonology.
I am not a nurse yet, but I work as a tech, often having to take care of 18 patients per shift, so i can relate to the physical demand on the job. As someone who lost a pregnancy and who had a preemie previously, I did what i had to do to keep my 3d in as long as possible. If someone does have a high-risk pg, there should be a written statement from Ob about how much a person is allowed to do.
I ended up sitting on monitors throughout my 3d pregnancy, in between trips to L&D for problems. As soon as I went back on the floor after my 37 weeks of mod. activity were up i ended delivering within 12 hours.
Considering my previous experiences, I would not allow any of my pregnant co-workers to lift heavy patients and stand on their feet all day, with no lunch or even a minute to get a cup of water - which is what normally happens on my unit. Most people don't know if their pregnancy is high-risk until something goes wrong and by that time it may be too late.
Being pregnant is not a disease but a condition. I don't know why they just go out on early disability so they wont hinder the schedule with their whiny demands of what they can or cannot do. Common sense tells me if I work in an area where disease are a potential risk for my unborn fetus I will not work until I deliver. They sound as bad as the postpartum mothers who give birth thinking they are in a HIlton hotel with nannies!!!!
RNmomma
24 Posts
Is it really true that physical labor (no pun intended) can cause this? I have always believed it was an old wives tale...