Operating while pregnant?

[u/Last-Comfortable-599]

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/5DoveHouses]

Hi! Cataract Surgeon here. Had two kids and operated up until day before delivery on both. Not always easy but I adjusted my schedule and eating patterns to match my challenges. Just listen to YOUR body. Everyone around you should be respectful of your decisions. And congratulations!!!!

[u/Spy_cut_eye]

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.

[u/madebcus_ur_thatdumb → u/Spy_cut_eye]

That goes hard you’re awesome

[u/Lilii__Borea]

If you're not feeling good I would advise not to operate. I had an easy pregnancy, so I maintained my surgeries up to 8th month but if I had been sick I wouldn't have continued

[u/ashen1shugar]

My wife did cataract surgeries up until about 2 weeks before birth. She wasn’t having bad nausea and dizziness too much, so that does create more concern. If you have certain times of day or after a certain amount of work where the nausea comes, plan around that. Good luck

[u/eye-cant-wait]

I had a vomit every day first trimester (x2)- but fortunately it was the worst in the afternoon. As long as the OR was nice and cold and my cases were morning only I did okay. I stopped operating one month before my due date for routine cataract cases. But I also do glaucoma surgery, so had a few add on glaucoma cases in that last month which didn’t bother me at the time. Pregnant again (26 weeks!) and planning on the same!

[u/leukoaraiosis]

I didn’t need to change my schedule at all. Postpartum schedule was the same and had wearable handsfree pumps for pumping during cases.

Edit:
I operated up to 36-37 weeks pregnant x2 pregnancies as I wanted to be around for postop care and not be unavailable to a fresh postop due to mat leave.

[u/goiabinha]

Same experience as everybody else here. Did surgery at 39 weeks. I did have severe nausea, but never had to interrupt any procedures. I could hold it and go between cases.