Nursing while pregnant

Re: Nursing while pregnant

Katie Mack — Sun, 25 May 2014 19:38:51 GMT

Lol, there were days when it was a struggle but I am not one for sitting back. I only knocked my nights on the head at 34wks. I was only 3days overdue and with 10days at home WITHOUT a baby, I was already climbing the walls. However, my pregnancy was textbook and a breeze so I wouldn't expect everybody to be able to carry on as I did :-) But I am still pretty proud of myself for it :-)

Re: Nursing while pregnant

bongo — Sun, 25 May 2014 14:35:53 GMT

Wow, working til 39 weeks, how the hell did u manage that! I'm finishing at 37 and thats a struggle! Fair play!

Re: Nursing while pregnant

Katie Mack — Sat, 24 May 2014 21:42:39 GMT

I found out I was pregnant at 3wks which almost seemed worst as I had a long time to wait before it became 'safer'!! I then went on to work until 39wks :-) I had an understanding team around me but was just sensible. If I was feeling tired, I would take a break. Other than that, I wore gloves, did tubed anaesthetics, steered clear of X-rays and chemo (because our nursing team was big enough that we could swop and change) . And apparently, human anaesthetists have no concerns about masked anaesthesia when pregnant. Although I am not saying take unnecessary risks (because what's the point) but 'apparently' the risk is tiny. x

Re: Nursing while pregnant

Nick Shackleton — Sat, 24 May 2014 14:41:06 GMT

Providing you are behind lead screens you are ok to continue working n X-ray. Our radiographers all continue to to X-ray during pregnancy. Just not involved in theatre work and interventional procedures.

Re: Nursing while pregnant

Selena Carnell — Sat, 24 May 2014 13:08:56 GMT

i worked all the way through my first preg and my boy is now a healthy 8 yr old. i avoided X-rays and liting anything heavy, just be sensible. congtrats

Re: Nursing while pregnant

Emma Clark — Sat, 24 May 2014 12:34:49 GMT

Hi, try not to worry too much, I didn't find out I was pregnant until I was 10 weeks and up until then I was still masking down small furries, taking xrays etc. I carried on partaking in all duties through my pregnancy and just took the necessary safety precautions so making sure all circuits connected properly and leak tested, scavenging connected, not in the room when mask GAs taking place, not in the room during xrays, gloves to handle meds and cat litter trays, assistance to lift heavier dogs etc. Only thing I really stopped doing was lifting and holding dogs late in my pregnancy because my bump was physically preventing me! Make sure you take regular breaks and drink and eat as necessary! my little bubba was born fit and healthy 4 weeks ago so theres nothing wrong with carrying on fairly normally at work (obviously this also assumes you have no other pregnancy health problems that may affect how much you can do! )

As long as you are sensible you will be ok, I think some people worry and panic themselves so much they pretty much stop doing all nursing duties, which I imaginewould make for a very boring 8-9 months!

And congratulations to everyone pregnant or about to pop :)

Re: Nursing while pregnant

edudley — Sat, 24 May 2014 11:16:05 GMT

Thank you very much for your reply! It has helped so much hearing from someone else In a similar situation who had similar worries. That has put my mind at rest. Fortunately we don't use nitrous so that's good. I'm quite happy to do ga's where necessary but my employer has said not until after 12 weeks and then I will still avoid uncuffed cats etc. Yes very tired at this time hehe and hungry! I've been avoiding lifting heavy and awkward things too. Eek 5 weeks to go, so exciting, good luck with everything and thank you for your kind words and advice! X

Re: Nursing while pregnant

bongo — Sat, 24 May 2014 08:24:29 GMT

Don't panic about this! When I worked out when I had conceived I was horrified to find that I had been helping out in theatre on a procedure using fluoroscopy, I did have lead on but it was still a bit worrying!

As long as you are safe with anaesthesia I see no reason why you can't still do it happily and just remember its a lot safer to monitor an animal under anaesthesia which has a cuffed tube in than to monitor an animal in recovery who has been extubated and is breathing out all that waste volatile agent. Use common sense, cuff tubes until you can't hear leaks, avoid doing cats with uncuffed tubes, make sure gases are switched off if you need to disconnect for whatever reason and of you are using fluosorbers then NEVER use nitrous. Actually TBH I prob would steer clear of nitrous altogether as it is odourless.

Other things to be mindful off are cats, you will get tested for toxo immunity if they know you are a VN but just wear gloves and have good hygiene. Anything that is a barrier nurse I avoided, errrm, what else? Lifting, stretching too much. Some pregnant women I have worked with previously go way over the top to stay safe, individual preferences I guess, don't get me wrong, I would never put my unborn at risk but if its safe I just got on with it, pregnancy is not a disability- although can feel like it later on if you have back or pelvis probs!

Hope this has helped

Oh yes - congratulations! I hope you have a happy and healthy pregnancy, I have loved mine! Only got 5 weeks to go. I am expecting you feel tired all the time? This passes, but then it comes and goes but don't listen to the horror stories that people will love to tell you about pregnancy and birth. Enjoy the experience and just put yourself and your baby first.