Pregnant Scientists

Mrs&Dr2b

I may be on the wrong board and will post on First Tri as well.....

 DH and I are TTC. I am a laboratory scientist. I already know that several of the chemicals I work with (viral, radioactivity, etc...) are not safe while pregnant. If any of you are also lab workers who are TTC do you have a particular source you use to determine what is safe to handle and work with and what is not? I know I could look up the MSDS for each chemical but I wondered if anyone has compiled any data on this? We use BSL2 and I always doble glove, face mask, and lab coat.

Roccityhottie

I am not pregnant but I also work in a lab. I believe OSHA has a compiled list, but I am not positive on that. 

NeverKnew

Do you have a person appointed for safety? They should know.

If not a.) you should and b.) ask your ob/gyn.  They can likely point you in the direction of a reliable resource to ask.

If all else fails, MSDS will undeniably tell you. Even though it's tedious, it's probably worth the effort.

TJMR

When I was pregnant with DS I looked at the MSDS for everything.  I also told my boss early on b/c with his experience in the industry he had experience with pregnant employees before.  I had other people prepare solutions of working reagents so I didn't have to work with the concentrated chemicals.

limpetfan

When I started my first IVF cycle, I put together all the MSDS information for every chemical/reagent/etc I touch in the lab and gave it to my doctor.  She was able to look at the information and tell me what was OK and what wasn't OK.  

 

Mrs&Dr2b

Thanks Everyone! I am seeing my dr end of this month so maybe I will bring in the MSDS to her and ask her what she thinks. I don't want to talk to the safety and health advisor or myboss until I am actually pregnant as we aren't telling anyone we are TTC but will definitely use those resources when the time comes.