Pregnant NHS worker, advice please!

[Higgeldypiggeldy35]

Hi all, I've just found out I'm pregnant. I'm 4 weeks, age 37 and I have high BP generally for context. I'm an NHS worker, direct patient contact although at the moment mostly done from home via video/phone but half my team is shielding so expectation is that I pick up some of the face to face stuff which I have been doing. Does anyone know when I should tell my manager so they do a risk ax. It seems to early to tell them now but maybe I should. I don't know whether my BP changes risk. It was well managed in my first pregnancy but I had to see the consultant and have regular scans. Any advice and experience from other pregnant NHS workers welcome! Thanks

Hey I'm 8weeks 5 days pregnant and also working in direct contact with patients. I told my manager and she wrote up a risk assessment ASAP. I'm just not allowed to go into the hot rooms " suspected/confirmed covid". I would seek advise from your own doctor or from occupational health who can guide you further. X

Thanks @kim160790, I'll definitely ring the doctor but I thought it was too early yet? Same with my manager. When did you tell yours?

There's guidance from the RCoG that I/my dept have been following. I'm 30 weeks and work in ITU/theatres usually.

www.rcog.org.uk/en/news/updated-advice-for-pregnant-healthcare-workers-and-employers-during-coronavirus-outbreak/

I think you need a risk assessment now so should tell your manager. You should call your GP and get a booking apt with the midwife now you've had a positive test. You could ask for a telephone consultation with your GP to discuss your hypertension, pregnancy and work. The guidelines mention heart disease, but its not clear if well controlled (assuming that it is!) hypertension would be covered by this. If its all still confusing then you should call occupational health for advice. That's what I would do anyway!

@NicAndNick thank you that's very useful. I'll ring my GP tomorrow and see what he says.

I’m 37 weeks pregnant and a community nurse. I would tell your manager so they can risk assess. Also worth telling occ health.

@Higgeldypiggeldy35 on my 3rd shift 😂 I've only just started working with nhs and didn't realise I was pregnant. They are ok about it and will review if I struggle etc x

Risk assessment now, no high risk contact then out of the building at 28 weeks or earlier if other risks arrive. You do need to tell them now. Best of luck

I’d let them know so that they can refer you to occ health and do a risk assessment. Well controlled hypertension shouldn't be a concern thankfully.

I’m 20 weeks and planning to work f2f as long as they’ll let me. I’m just not seeing suspected/confirmed Covid cases.

I've let my line manager and occupational health know pretty much when it all kicked off (was just about 7 weeks at the time). I found occi health to be very helpful with the whole situation actually. So I would highly recommend informing both now, regardless of gestation.

Thanks everyone for the advice