1st trimester pregnancy and working in a hospital during coronavirus

[TCF88]

Hello all, I have just found out that I am pregnant (only 4 weeks) and I work in a hospital. The coronavirus is strife at the moment with more and more wards becoming covid-19 wards. I have been told that I can work but to avoid seeing patients with coronavirus. I am very anxious about this as many patients get tested as positive later in their hospital stay and there seems to be little advice on the effect on 1st trimester pregnancy. Should I be stating that I'm self isolating? I'd never forgive myself if something was to happen to the baby. Thanks in advance for advice!

Have you seen this on the coronavirus board?
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3853720-Coronavirus-and-pregnant-women-advice-from-the-Royal-College-of-Obstetricians-and-Gynaecologists-March-18-2020

Hi

I'm 11 weeks and I feel the same as you, our ward has been turned into the covid ward and all suspected patients are going there. If there are any seriously ill confirmed patients then we will have them.
I haven't worked since we've had these patients because I'm luckily on annual leave so I'm just waiting to hear back from workplace health and wellbeing about what I should do.
I feel so worried about going to work but then I also feel so guilty that I could possibly not be there when they need us the most.

NHS advice is that a risk assessment should be done and you can be moved away from any wards on the' covid pathway' . There are lots of jobs that need doing that so not involve going near covid positive patients so ask if you can be moved to a different area. Personally I do not think it is acceptable to sit at home on full pay when there are plenty things you could be doing too help in the crisis about to bit the NHS.

Thank you for this information @canklesforankles
@piggie88 it is really difficult isn't it! I just feel like there will be another research article in a few months saying harm could be done!
@vdbfamily thanks for helping with my anxiety. I'm not looking for an easy way out of working. I am genuinely worried following a previous miscarriage.

In our hospital at the team brief they said that reasonable adjustments should be made for those in vulnerable groups so they didn't have to be off for 12 weeks but could work in other areas as a pp said. They have split our hospital into hot and cold areas, so you would ideally be moved to a cold area. Although I appreciate that patients in cold areas can then develop symptoms. Speak to your Employee Health and Wellbeing Service.

New advice has been issued today by RCOG (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) to say that pregnant women less than 28weeks don't need to take additional precautions. Hope that reassures you a bit.

@TCF88 yeah me too, they've admitted they don't know enough about it to know if it could affect the baby.

I definitely would rather be at work than sitting at home on full pay.

@DebbieFiderer that does reassure me, thank you.

Sorry if my comment sounded snippy. I was probably projecting a little as a manager who has staff not wanting to use school places, and not wanting to come in whilst pregnant, and I just wish Boris had kept his mouth shut until we had evidence based info on who was at risk. The gist of what I should have said i's that there will be plenty of jobs that need doing that will not put you in contact with covid19 patients so get a risk assmt done and find an alternative. Hope all goes well.

.gov.uk encourages social distancing for anyone who is pregnant - this was updated yesterday, 20.03:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

The info is found through .gov.uk which is the official UK guidance including for healthcare workers.

Additionally your employer has a duty to undertake a H&S risk assessment with you. When doing this in the NHS we are strongly advised we must be led by the pregnant worker’s wishes, especially in complex situations. E.g. risk of violence/aggression - it is highly unlikely a manager would insist a pregnant worker work in such an environment; and adjustments are identified.

You are allowed to say you are self-isolating for health reasons.

Finally, if you remain concerned, seek medical advice, for a definitive view from a professional who has your medical history, and this would be wise in view of your statement regarding a previous miscarriage.

Hope this helps.

Thank you so much everyone for your links and advice. This has certainly reassured me and I will speak with my boss tomorrow about the best wards to work on and completing a risk assessment.