Srna, +hcg

makeusleepy · Jun 12, 2006

During Anesthesia school I found at that i was pregnant. I felt that the potential for harm to the baby was worth it to avoid. If you don't tell them, and if your baby comes out a cyclops, you will never forgive yourself. Chances are that nothing would happen, but really....don't you think that everytime you have to do a flouro case, or your attending pushes you to use N20, won't you be a little concerned, and won't that show in the way you care for your patients and respond to your peers and attendings?

Why risk it. My training hospital was awesome, my program was awesome--they were so happy for me. I did what i had to do and noone looked at me like i was getting by easy. You owe it to yourself and your baby to do the best you can to take care of yourself, otherwise, IMHO you might as well have an abortion and wait till you are willing to do what it takes to care for a baby.

You're so close to the end, most likely you have already established yourself as a competant practitioner. You already have a job--and eventually they'll find out. Why not celebrate, be happy, and let people be happy for/with you. Beleive me, I know how stressful it feels, but you'll make it, you're on the downhill. It's not going to be easy, but--life happens right!

Congratulations on your pregancy and I hope everything works out for you.

bahamabread · Jun 12, 2006

Where I worked...........we( the female nurses) let the doctors, our co-workers or whoever needed to )know that we were with child . We did this privately............explaining that we wanted it to be on a need to know basis only. We got advice on which caes to avoid...........could not go to pt to x-ray............staff pitched in to help lift pts etc. Then..........when it was time..........we put in our official letters from our doctors to administration. I always felt that the safety of the baby came first............but of course our privacy was important too. As much as my co-workers love to gossip..............I found that when you got pregnant............there was such a respect given to you ( as long as you dont use the pregnancy to avoid doing things you dont WANT to do. They usually kept it all shush until you told the administration.

MmacFN · Jun 12, 2006

Hey!

Congratz BTW! Both on yer papuse and the soon to be job/graduation!

I wonder if there is any obligation for you to disclose your condition? Im not sure of the legality there. However, i am sure that if something happened because you were pregnant and you didnt reveal that the hospital would not be liable for anything that might occur to you or your baby.

Id be truthful. You dont want to start off a brand new job and career dishonest. More importantly, nothing is worth risking your baby.

zippity · Jun 12, 2006

It's just so early to reveal pregnancy. Personally, 12 weeks is about the right time to "let the cat out of the bag." Anyone who has had a first trimester loss can relate to that. I don't really know that not letting anyone know is "dishonest," just a personal preference. I won't even tell family until 12 weeks.

Just want to know if there are some good ways to protect myself (and baby) without obviously altering case load or changing anesthetic technique.

p.s. not gonna terminate... I want the kid.

zippity · Jun 12, 2006

Makeusleepy-

Actually, the more I think about your response, the more it makes sense. Forgive my hormonally-mediated psychosis. I AM anxious, and I don't want anyone to give me sideways glances. I haven't even told my best friend at school....

Well, maybe if I do let the cat out of the bag I will let you all know who I REALLY am on this board. hehe

babynursewannab · Jun 12, 2006

First off, congrats.

Second, listen to your peers re: baby safety. Remember, the baby "label" changes from embryo to fetus at 9 weeks gestation because, at that point, the baby is basically done developing from parts to person. You are in the most sensitive stage of your pregnancy for physical defects should you experience environmental teratogenic exposure. This is certainly not to say you will or your baby will should you choose not to share at this point. However, there is no place more painful than "what if" land. You need to be ready to stand up and refuse to be in certain situations if it's not good for the baby knowing you may experience backlash from those you're working with and for since they don't know why you are doing it.

As for sharing prior to the "magical" 12-week mark, remember these people are in the medical field. You will not only get emotional but professional support regardless of the outcome.

Good luck and I'm sure you will make the best decision for you.

-Alyssa

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Jun 12, 2006

My question is, how did you find the time to get pregnant?!

Congratulations! I pretty much agree with the other posters - keep it on a need-to-know but don't put yourself in situations where you will beat yourself up for weeks afterward. You can always find another job and assuming you pass boards (of course you will!) no one can take your career away from you. Work can wait a bit, the baby can't.

athomas91 · Jun 12, 2006

zippity -

i just graduated...i have a 6mo old now... :)

you are right - you are around numerous teratogens - we are around more than the normal person...so perhaps you could just tell whoever does assignments - no xray ... and if someone insists on the use of n20 - just take em aside and let them know the deal and ask that it be confidential. it isn't worth the worry or the guilt if down the road something happens...

i did the above and had a healthy baby boy in november...good luck and congrats - there is nothing better!