Pregnant and I work nights

RE: Pregnant and I work nights

Tanya Traill — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 13:42:26 GMT

Thank you for everyones advice it's been so helpful and I feel much better about work. My work are being so great which is really helpful and I'm so glad it makes it so much easier. :)

RE: Pregnant and I work nights

n1cole — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 08:32:02 GMT

Congratulations! When I was pregnant I discussed with my work and they were great and we basically decided that I should come off nights, our night shifts were VERY busy and there was very often heavy dogs needing lifting or X-rays or the possibility of open anaesthetics so we felt it would be easier to come off them. Think I came off them when I was 4-5months.

The risk of toxo with cat faeces is small if you are being careful, you have a bigger risk of it with dogs faeces if they are fed on a raw food diet so be careful with that! Don't think many people even think of that risk. Your work should do a risk assessment which would highlight all the potential risks in the environment (certain meds, X-rays, anaesthetics etc.) then you could come up with a plan to reduce the risk factor to you

You need to just go with what feels right for you, don't push yourself too hard or put you or your baby in a risky situation.

RE: Pregnant and I work nights

Alison Clare Hickman — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 04:42:57 GMT

Hi again,

this is an American info site but a useful guide nonetheless!

http://www.vetfolio.com/veterinary-practice-issues/pregnancy-in-the-workplace

hth and you can reassure yourself as well as set up safe practices too.

Wishing you and your little bean the very very best. Xx

RE: Pregnant and I work nights

apache — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 23:46:13 GMT

Toxoplasmosis in cat faeces takes a number of days before it becomes infectious. Fresh faeces poses zero risk of toxoplasmosis, your doctor really should know that.

RE: Pregnant and I work nights

Katie Mack — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 23:03:31 GMT

I have been pregnant twice in practice. My first child I worked nights until I was 35wks and then worked up until 39wks. I was sole nurse on site until I needed a vet for a patient and would call them in. With my second, I wasn't working nights but managed work up until 38wks (I was being induced at 38wk 4days).

Now, I was very lucky as had essentially straight forward pregnancies so continued on for as long as I felt I could so can only advise you to follow what you feel is best for you. Don't be a martyr, don't put yourself at undue risk and don't ignore gut feelings!! If you feel you can't continue, stop as nothing is worth putting yourself and baby at risk. On the other hand, if you feel up to it, carry on - it can work! Just go with how you feel.

Oh, and if concerned about toxo, you can request a blood test to check if you are immune.... Check with your midwife. I had it done in my second pregnancy. Other than that, normal PPE and sensible handling and cleanliness should be fine.

Good luck with everything - enjoy it!!

RE: Pregnant and I work nights

Alison Clare Hickman — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 18:21:02 GMT

Hiya,

Big congratulations on your fabulous news! yay, a babeeee!

I would ask your workplace to do a Risk Assessment for you. In particular, you do not need to be lugging hefty object or animals or being put into a situation where you had no choice but to restrain a struggling patient and do yourself an injury as a result. Similar with drug handling and yes, cat doo doo!!

Tbh maybe sole charge now is not the best thing for you, so can you rearrange your schedule to accommodate that? Or can your workplace offer assistance? As a Corporate this will NOT be the first time they have encountered a gravid RVN working OOH or one requiring lifting assistance (!) so I would speak with your boss to get in touch with your Support Office for advice. Do it now so you have instructions and help going forwards rather than leaving it until you think you HAVE to have it... a stitch in time and all that...