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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Is visiting someone in hospital a risk to me?

18 replies

Daisy92 · 19/02/2018 19:42

Hey, all! This is a strange post, and I’m sure that I sound paranoid as hell, but I wanted some advice..

I’m 30 weeks with my DS, and happy happy happy. I’m still at work currently, and I’m due to work tomorrow, however there has been a change in proceedings to my shift that I’m concerned about.

I’m a support worker, and the poor lady that I support was rushed to hospital last night with sepsis. Fortunately, it looks as though she’s going to be okay, but it does mean that I’ve been asked to work my eight-hour shift with her tomorrow in the hospital, (she’s in a mixed ward). It will merely involve me sitting around with her for the majority of my time.

Is it unwise for me to be in this environment? I’m healthy in myself, but my immune system has been ever so poor during my pregnancy.

Please, what’s your advice?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Twitchett22 · 19/02/2018 20:03

I think you'll be fine, as long as you've had your flu jab and whooping cough vaccine? If she's on an open ward and not in a side room there shouldn't be any contagious infections that you need to worry about, just make sure you wash and gel your hands regularly.

villamariavintrapp · 19/02/2018 20:10

Does she have something particularly contagious? If so, you should probably assume that you've already been exposed? Otherwise, I can't see what the issue would be?

infinitewisdom · 19/02/2018 20:14

Is it unwise for me to be in this environment?

You haven't really said what the environment would be?

'Hospital' contains many variants.

KadabrasSpoon · 19/02/2018 20:20

Your employer should have done a risk assessment when you told them you were pregnant. Or if things have changed work wise you can ask for it to be updated. This should take account of any risks

Original poster

Daisy92 · 19/02/2018 20:24

She has sepsis, with suspected pneumonia. She's currently in an acute medical unit in a mixed ward at our county's main hospital. Although I imagine that she'll move wards if she's to stay much longer. That's all I've been told thus far.

OP posts:

Original poster

Daisy92 · 19/02/2018 20:26

There's nothing in my maternity risk assessment about what occurs if the woman is in hospital. :/

OP posts:

Toscacat · 19/02/2018 20:30

Many nurses work in hospitals pregnant. I'm sure you'd be fine. You could always speak to the nurses when you go in to see if she is particularly contagious.

Twitchett22 · 19/02/2018 20:31

Its no different than the nurses working on the ward who are pregnant

gryffen · 19/02/2018 20:34

Speak to the nurses when you arrive and ask if it would be safe for you to go in - advise though that you are there as companion and not staff so you won't be doing any care etc.

If they advise against then phone your work and ask them to tell management that entry is not safe.

Had similar issue when I worked in a secure MH unit just out of high school and had to cover pregnant staff due to violence.

pastabest · 19/02/2018 20:37

what do you think those of us who work on hospital wards whilst pregnant do!?

Grobagsforever · 19/02/2018 20:42

Errrr. You're aware you'll probably give birth in hospital right?

OP my love, in the nicest possible way, get a grip. I slept on the floor of a hospital at 7 months pregnant..

Original poster

Daisy92 · 19/02/2018 20:45

Thank you those who offered genuine advice.

To the others: Wow. I was merely asking advice as someone who's waited a LONG time for a successful pregnancy to happen. People didn't need to be so snarky...

OP posts:

mineofuselessinformation · 19/02/2018 20:51

You could always wear a mask?
My Dsis does if appropriate to who she's nursing.

Dinachook · 19/02/2018 21:02

If you have good hand hygiene whilst in hospital and speaks to the staff on the ward. I'm a nurse in an ICU and our nurses work up until 32-34 weeks pregnant.

hellybellyjellybean · 19/02/2018 21:27

I will say I've been told not to go into hospital to my mil so not that strange a question, better to be safe than sorry!

twistedpink · 20/02/2018 01:13

Hey if it's any reassurance I've been in and out of hospital for the last two weeks every day visiting a family member and I didn't catch anything (23 weeks) xx

halfwitpicker · 20/02/2018 01:33

So you're not usually based in a hospital, OP? It's not clear from your original post

Ivebeenaroundtheblock · 20/02/2018 01:42

follow all glove and gowning procedures.
hospitals do have more germs condensed into a smaller space than a persons home or the great outdoors. so in some regards you are more at risk.

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