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Pregnancy

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

midwife or doctor- i need your imput about work!

6 replies

scarysarahandco · 24/11/2009 09:35

Hi there, i am 26 weeks pregnant and work at my local hospital as a house keeper in the evenings, i have been off work due to a pulled muscle in tummy(happened at work mopping floors) and returned last night, i was asked to go and work in the operating theatres- not doing anything strenuous[sp] which was fine and was more than happy to oblige- when my shift ended a colleague who had her baby last feb was told by her midwife she could not work in theatre or areas surrounding it (like the corridors where i was put to work) due to the anaestetic gases, is this the case?

sorry its a rather odd question i asked my supervisor about it and she informed me it was safe as long as i did not enter into the theatre itself- and i am only pregnant not ill!!!! i am rather confused and hope someone can shed some light.

OP posts:
sowhatis · 24/11/2009 09:37

sorry, never heard of this. surely if there were lots of anaesthetic gases floating around the surgeon would feel drowsy??....

scarysarahandco · 24/11/2009 17:40

bump

OP posts:
reikizen · 24/11/2009 17:45

I know there has been some research pointing to possible effects of anaesthetic gases and entonox but I'm pretty sure they relate to prolonged use and has not been proven to be cause and effect. Certainly as pregnant midwives and doctors we work in theatre but it would be wise to carry out a risk assessment for any pregnant woman who works. The Health and Safety Executive has info on their website which should help.

scarysarahandco · 24/11/2009 21:27

thank you !!!

OP posts:
bigpreggybelly · 25/11/2009 09:51

There shouldn't be any anaesthetic gases floating around providing you are not in theatre when there's an operation being done (and even then I'm sure there's none) so I doubt you will have been exposed to anything.

Its worth alerting your HR department though. I'm sure it can be tested and then they can reassure you.

EccentricaGallumbits · 25/11/2009 09:54

you need a specific pregnancy at work risk assessment done - for all the departments you are going to be working in. you supervisor needs to do one now then you'll know where you can work and what you can do.

also - anaesthetic gasses shouldn't be floating around randomly so should be fine.

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