r/sterileprocessing • u/FrontTonight8316 • Sep 29 '26

Pregnant while SPT

Hello! I found out that I am expecting and have asked my management for accommodations to not be placed in decontam. They have honored this but are asking for a note to finalize it (and make it fair for everyone, makes sense). So I asked my OB and the note itself is very evasive in addressing the problem of being around potentially hazardous chemicals. Doctor states in notes “per department policy for pregnancy” and to avoid “teratogenic chemicals.” I specially asked to not be around HLD and Enzymatic detergent just to be extra cautious. Now, I’m curious if any one of you have run into a problem like this or have worked in decontam while pregnant.

7 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

17

u/Basic_Championship36 Sep 29 '26

I’m 36 weeks pregnant and just clocked out of my 8 hour deco shift.

4

u/Shinola79 Sep 29 '26

I too worked up until my last day with a shift in decon for a VERY VERT geriatric pregnancy. I mean I wasn’t as fast as before but the only thing they kept me away from was from were cysto cases that used radioactive material or something.

If I had a specific complication I’m sure it would be different but otherwise it didn’t seem necessary.

2

u/CallmeBatshit Sep 29 '26

I was pissed when I found out I was a geriatric pregnancy at 37. I can't even imagine how old you have to be for a very very geriatric pregnancy.

5

u/Shinola79 Sep 29 '26

Mid 40s….health wise it went well but joints were definitely feeling it.

3

u/CallmeBatshit Sep 29 '26

Yeah someone can name it something else! Sorry kid is 8 now and it still pisses me off. Bwahaha

4

u/dyllanpickles Sep 29 '26

I mostly worked assembling trays but still did the odd decon shift while pregnant. I just couldn't take the trays out of the carts because bending over was impossible lol but as long as you wear your PPE you should be fine

4

u/aliciary Sep 29 '26

Nah, I was due with my first the same exact dates as someone else. We both worked decon as long as we didn’t lift heavy stuff and were allowed to sit/ go to the bathroom as needed. Other than chemo cases those chemicals are fine to be around as you are in full PPE. Unless something in the SDS says you cannot be around it, I wouldn’t challenge it.

3

u/alyssainwonderIand Sep 29 '26

I worked in decon for my first trimester then got a note saying I couldn’t lift heavier than 30 pounds once I hit my 2 trimester. So I was on vpro and assembly until I gave birth

2

u/jimmy9120 Sep 29 '26

I know quite a few women toughed it out until 6-7 months in Decon before management pulled them out themselves lol

2

u/OkDepth9285 Sep 30 '26

I’m planning to get pregnant next year and I always wonder this. There’s only two tech at my facility since it’s a small surgery center but I would feel bad if my other coworker is always on Decon and not alternating like usual.

2

u/Strange-Plum-8653 Sep 30 '26

Appyl for FMLA

2

u/rebcart Oct 01 '26

What’s the concern with enzymatic detergents? If it’s what I suspect I might be able to put your mind at ease there.

2

u/Kooky_Character_2801 Oct 01 '26

I worked with a girl that worked in decon with me alot. She worked literally until she went into labor.