Most nurses can keep working safely through pregnancy with the right adjustments. The key is telling your employer early enough for a proper risk assessment.
Imagine finding out you’re pregnant while working in a busy emergency department. You’re worried about infections, violence and lifting. After telling your manager, you complete a risk assessment together. You move away from caring for patients with certain infections, stop heavy lifting and switch to shorter shifts later in pregnancy.
Workplace risks to consider
- Infections: rubella, chickenpox, CMV, parvovirus, listeria, measles and others
- Hazardous drugs: some chemotherapy and antiviral drugs
- Radiation: in imaging, cardiac labs and radiotherapy areas
- Manual handling: lifting, pushing and pulling
- Long shifts, nights and standing
- Violence and aggression, especially in emergency and mental health settings
Adjustments that can help
- Avoiding patients with high-risk infections
- No handling of hazardous drugs or exposure to radiation
- Using lifting equipment and avoiding heavy manual handling
- Shorter shifts, fewer nights and regular breaks to sit, eat and drink
- Moving to a lower-risk area if needed
But what are my rights?
Rights vary by country. Many places require employers to carry out a risk assessment, make reasonable adjustments, allow paid time off for antenatal appointments and protect pregnant workers from unfair treatment. Check your employer’s policy, contract and union guidance. Check your immunity to rubella, measles and chickenpox, ideally before pregnancy.
Your next step: If you’re pregnant, ask your manager for a written pregnancy risk assessment, and review it again as your pregnancy progresses.
Sources: International Labour Organization (Maternity protection), US CDC NIOSH (Reproductive health and the workplace), UK Health and Safety Executive (New and expectant mothers), Royal College of Nursing.
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