[Histonet] RE: Pregnancy

Wed Mar 6 04:50:59 CST 2013

We currently have a lovely pregnant lady in our histo lab, and although our EHS did not see the need, we are opting to keep her away from xylene and formalin, so no wet trimming of tissues (we do animal research), no changing processors, and no staining/coverslipping.  There are many other tasks she can do, and her wonderful coworkers are happy to pick up the tasks where these nasty chemicals are present.   I always recommend you speak to your OB about potential hazards - the OB I consult with believes that if the chemicals (per PPE) do not pose a hazard to the Mom, the baby will be fine, since the placenta is a great (not perfect) filter.   He is a high risk OB, and I trust him implicitly, but your own doc knows best.  Some docs will put you on full restrictions (which in some workplaces means medical leave for your entire pregnancy)  He did recommend my daughter stay away from cyno monkeys during her pregnancy, which she did.  I WISH NSH would do a study on pregancy in histology labs, as well as run a retrospective study on miscarriage and birth defect rates in histo techs.  I'm sure every histotech would benefit from such information.  
Jackie O'

-----Original Message-----
From: Cristi Rigazio <cls71877 <@t> gmail.com>
To: Elizabeth Chlipala <liz <@t> premierlab.com>
Cc: histonet <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>; Parker, Helayne <HParker <@t> Skaggs.Net>; Heckford, Karen - SMMC-SF <Karen.Heckford <@t> DignityHealth.org>
Sent: Tue, Mar 5, 2013 7:34 pm
Subject: Re: [Histonet] RE: Pregnancy

I told my doctor everything I dealt with on a daily basis and he said it was no 
roblem.  I worked in a 400 sq ft space where we do everything including 
rossing!  My son is perfect, but had I known about everything you all are 
aying I would have done things differently!  Nothing is worth risking your 
ittle one.  If I am lucky enough to have another I want to thank you all for 
he input as I will not do it again!!
Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 5, 2013, at 3:20 PM, Elizabeth Chlipala <liz <@t> premierlab.com> wrote:
> Karen

 Are you sure it was workman's comp.  Workman's comp applies to individuals 
njured on the job.

 Liz

 Elizabeth A. Chlipala, BS, HTL(ASCP)QIHC
 Laboratory Manager
 Premier Laboratory, LLC
 PO Box 18592
 Boulder, CO 80308
 Work (303) 682-3949
 Fax (303) 682-9060
 Cell (303) 881-0763
 liz <@t> premierlab.com
 www.premierlab.com

 Ship to address:

 1567 Skyway Drive, Unit E
 Longmont, CO 80504

 -----Original Message-----
 From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] 
n Behalf Of Heckford, Karen - SMMC-SF
 Sent: Tuesday, March 05, 2013 11:55 AM
 To: 'Parker, Helayne'; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
 Subject: [Histonet] RE: Pregnancy

 I was working in a Histology Lab when I first got pregnant.  I told my doctor 
bout everything I was exposed to in the lab.  He actually opted on putting me 
n medical leave (workman's comp).  I did this with both of my pregnancies.  Not 
n less you can find her a job that she is not exposed.  I would not risk 
xposure.

 Karen Heckford HT ASCP CE
 Lead Histology Technician
 St. Mary's Medical Center
 450 Stanyan St.
 San Francisco, Ca. 94117
 415-668-1000 ext. 6167
 karen.heckford <@t> dignityhealth.org

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 -----Original Message-----
 From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] 
n Behalf Of Parker, Helayne
 Sent: Tuesday, March 05, 2013 10:10 AM
 To: 'histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu'
 Subject: [Histonet] Pregnancy

 Hi Gang,
   Thought I would ask some people with some more experience than I in this.  
ne of our techs is pregnant-  Yay !!!  She is very early - about 5 weeks.  My 
ab Director wants her to start wearing a mask due to the chemicals.  So we need 
o ask what sort of precautions need to take place during the pregnancy etc.  We 
lso coverslip by hand here out of xylene etc.  I can not remember ever working 
ith any pregnant HTs in the past so I honestly do not know.  Please carbon copy 
eplies to JAScholefield <@t> skaggs.net as well.  We predominately work with 10% 
ormalin, reagent grade alcohols, paraplast, xylenes, clear-rite 3, Decal I and 
I (from Surgipath), cytofixative and some routine special stain items. 
asically the typical myriad of stuff a very small routine histo lab would have 
no immunos)....

 Thanks and bunch for your help !

 Sincerely,

 Helayne Parker, H.T. (ASCP)
 Pathology Section Head
 Cox Medical Center Branson
 P.O. Box 650, Branson, MO 65615
 Phone:  417-335-7254
 Fax:  417-335-7127
 Email:  hparker <@t> skaggs.net
 Web:  www.coxhealth.com/branson

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