[Histonet] Histotech to be pregnant with questions

[Julie Trejo]

Hi.  I'm a histotech about to start on getting pregnant to start our family,
yet concerned on the birth defects that come from the xylene fumes.  My
great co-workers have decided to change processors etc to keep me away from
chemicals, which is great for me, just still concerned about the fumes.  I
would only be embedding and cutting for the most part and we do have alot of
automation ie: H&E stainer, Artisian (special stains), and immuno's
(BondMax).  Automation will keep my hands out of xylene which is wonderful,
just worried.  I've read some things about histotechs that were pregnant,
some ok and some bad (over 20 years ago).  Just haven't found out about the
recent ones and how their child was.  I asked one of our pathologists if it
was okay to work in this enviorment but she thinks its okay.  I've worked
with alot of women whom had children but they never were working in
histology when they were pregnant.
  Basically, I do enjoy my job and don't want to leave where I am, but worry
about being pregnant in the histo lab.  Is it okay to stay or should I get
out or what can I do to stay without harming/risking my baby?
  I would love to hear from past pregnant mom's in histo lab and let me know
if it worked etc.

Thanks


-- 
Julie Trejo, HT(ASCP)cm