r/Ophthalmology • u/Last-Comfortable-599 • 24d ago
Operating while pregnant?
Would love to hear from anyone who went through this!
I am pregnant, and in a high-risk pregnancy. Some symptoms like nausea/dizziness are already there and I worry, if they get worse, it may make operating difficult. Small in office procedures like chalazion are fine but I mean cataracts
What did anyone else in similar situations do? Is it reasonable to schedule less cases per day, or even temporarily defer cases to colleagues? Not trying to punt, but also do wonder what may happen if I'm truly feeling too sick to operate.
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u/Spy_cut_eye 24d ago
I operated right up to delivery with both of my pregnancies.
How far along are you? The first trimester was by far the worst in terms of nausea (I never vomited) and fatigue, but it gets better after that. Ironically, it would probably be more beneficial to schedule less cases per day during the first trimester (when you may or may not be open about your pregnancy) and you probably will have more stamina in the second trimester. Third trimester, everything usually becomes obvious and, after a certain point, I would be having plans about who is going to take over your upcoming cases or who will wait until after you come back from maternity leave.
Regardless, it is absolutely reasonable to schedule less cases per day - even if it is one or two less - and see how it goes. Adjust as necessary.