This sheet is about exposure to benralizumab in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information is based on available research studies. It should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider.

What is benralizumab?

Benralizumab is a monoclonal antibody (man-made proteins that work like natural antibodies in the body to boost the immune system). It belongs to a group of medications known as biologics and is given by an injection under the skin (subcutaneous). Benralizumab has been used to treat patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. It is sold under the brand name Fasenra®.

Sometimes when women find out they are pregnant, they think about changing how they take their medication, or stopping their medication altogether. However, it is important to talk with your healthcare providers before making any changes to how you take your medication. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about the benefits of treating your condition and the risks of untreated illness during pregnancy.

Asthma that is untreated or not well controlled can increase the chance of complications for both the woman who is pregnant and the pregnancy. For more information about asthma, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/asthma-and-pregnancy/.

I take benralizumab. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?

Studies have not been done to see if taking benralizumab can make it harder to get pregnant.

Does taking benralizumab increase the chance of miscarriage?

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Studies have not been done to see if benralizumab can increase the chance of miscarriage.

Does taking benralizumab increase the chance of birth defects?

Birth defects can happen in any pregnancy for different reasons. Out of all babies born each year, about 3 out of 100 (3%) will have a birth defect. We look at research studies to try to understand if an exposure, like benralizumab, can increase the chance of birth defects in a pregnancy.

Studies looking at use of benralizumab during human pregnancy have not been done. There is 1 report of a woman with hypereosinophilic syndrome, who became pregnant while receiving benralizumab and delivered a healthy baby. Animal studies did not show an increase in birth defects after exposure to benralizumab during pregnancy.

Does taking benralizumab in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems?

Studies have not been done to see if benralizumab can increase the chance of pregnancy-related problems such as preterm delivery (birth before week 37) or low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth).

There is a theoretical (not proven) concern that monoclonal antibodies could affect a baby’s immune system (the body’s ability to fight off infections). Animal studies have not reported any changes to the immune systems after exposure to benralizumab during pregnancy.

Does taking benralizumab in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?

Studies have not been done to see if benralizumab can increase the chance of behavior or learning issues for the child.

Can my baby receive live vaccines before one year of age if I take benralizumab while pregnant?

Since benralizumab might suppress the immune system of the person taking it, there is a theoretical (not proven) concern that the same thing could happen to the baby if they are exposed during pregnancy. Live vaccines contain a small amount of live virus, so there is a small chance that a person could get the infection from the vaccine. If someone has a weakened immune system, they might be more likely to develop an infection from the vaccine.

Most vaccines given in the first 6 months of life are inactivated vaccines. Inactivated vaccines do not contain any live virus, so they cannot cause the disease they protect against. If possible, live vaccines are avoided in the first year of life, in case the child’s immune system does not respond to the vaccine. In the United States, rotavirus is the only live vaccine routinely given in the first year of life, because it is the best way to protect infants against rotavirus.

Research that suggests that babies exposed to biologics in pregnancy build antibodies as expected and have the same typical response to vaccines as babies not exposed to these medications. Talk with your healthcare provider and your child’s pediatrician about your exposure to benralizumab during pregnancy. They can talk with you about the vaccines your child should receive and the best time for your child to receive them.

Breastfeeding while taking benralizumab:

Benralizumab has not been well studied for use during breastfeeding. It is expected to pass into breast milk in small amounts. Benralizumab is not well absorbed by the gut, so any of the medication that gets into breast milk would be unlikely to enter the child’s system. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions.

If a man takes benralizumab, could it affect fertility or increase the chance of birth defects?

Studies have not been done to see if benralizumab could affect men’s fertility (ability to get a woman pregnant) or increase the chance of birth defects. In general, exposures that fathers or sperm donors have are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet relating to Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.

MotherToBaby is currently conducting a study looking at asthma and the medications used to treat asthma in pregnancy. If you would like to learn more about this study, please call 1-877- 311-8972 or visit https://mothertobaby.org/join-study/.

Please click here for references.

This sheet is about having multiple sclerosis in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. This information is based on published research studies. It should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider.

What is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves and how they communicate with the rest of the body. Symptoms can include loss of balance, numbness, vision problems, muscle spasms, tingling, mood changes, memory problems, pain, fatigue, and/or paralysis. Symptoms can vary from person to person and might be temporary or long-lasting.

I have multiple sclerosis. What should I talk about with my healthcare team before I get pregnant?

It is important to talk to your healthcare team (including your obstetrician, rheumatologist, and neurologist) about plans for treating your condition before and during pregnancy, during delivery, and after delivery. If possible, talk with your healthcare team before getting pregnant. If your pregnancy is unplanned, contact your healthcare providers as soon as you find out you are pregnant.

Things to talk about with your healthcare team include:

• Ways to monitor your pregnancy and your disease symptoms
• Any medications you should take during pregnancy
• Getting any necessary vaccines before and during pregnancy. Many vaccines can be given in pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet on vaccines at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/vaccines-pregnancy/.
• Any other questions or concerns you have

I have multiple sclerosis. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?

Two studies reported lower rates of fertility (ability to get pregnant) in women with multiple sclerosis compared to those in the general population. Some women with multiple sclerosis might experience sexual dysfunction, such as a decreased desire to have sex or increased vaginal dryness. These symptoms might make it harder to get pregnant.

Does having multiple sclerosis increase the chance of miscarriage?

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. One study found that the rate of miscarriage among women with multiple sclerosis is similar to the rates of miscarriage in the general population.

Does having multiple sclerosis increase the chance of birth defects?

Birth defects can happen in any pregnancy for different reasons. Out of all babies born each year, about 3 out of 100 (3%) will have a birth defect. We look at research studies to try to understand if an exposure, like multiple sclerosis, might increase the chance of birth defects in a pregnancy. Having multiple sclerosis is not expected to increase the chance of birth defects.

Does having multiple sclerosis increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems?

Having multiple sclerosis has not been shown to increase the chance of pregnancy-related problems, such as pre-term delivery (birth before week 37). One study showed a small increased chance of low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth). In rare cases, a woman with severe symptoms might need help during delivery if they are too weak to push through contractions.

Does having multiple sclerosis in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?

Information from two small studies suggests that having multiple sclerosis during pregnancy does not increase the chance of long-term developmental problems for the child.

Breastfeeding while I have multiple sclerosis:

Women with multiple sclerosis can successfully breastfeed. The chance of relapse can increase after delivery, so talk with your healthcare provider about your multiple sclerosis and breastfeeding. For information on the use of specific medications while breastfeeding, please see our fact sheets at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets-parent/ or contact a MotherToBaby specialist. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions.

If a man has multiple sclerosis, can it affect fertility or increase the chance of birth defects?

For some men with multiple sclerosis, issues such as sexual dysfunction or lower quality of sperm can make it harder to conceive a pregnancy. In general, exposures that fathers or sperm donors have are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.

MotherToBaby is currently conducting a study looking at multiple sclerosis and the medications used to treat multiple sclerosis in pregnancy. If you are interested in taking part in this study, please call 1-877-311-8972 or sign up at https://mothertobaby.org/join-study/.

Please click here for references.

This sheet is about exposure to fenoprofen in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information is based on published research studies. It should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. 

What is fenoprofen? 

Fenoprofen is a medication that has been used to treat pain and inflammation in conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It belongs to the class of medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Some brand names for fenoprofen are Fenopron®, Fenortho®, and Nalfon®.  

MotherToBaby has a fact sheet on rheumatoid arthritis here: https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/rheumatoid-arthritis/.  

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommend not using NSAIDs after week 20 of pregnancy unless your healthcare provider specifically recommends it. If a healthcare provider decides NSAIDs are needed after week 20 of pregnancy, they should be used at the lowest dose for the shortest time.  

I take fenoprofen. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?  

Some studies suggest that using fenoprofen or other NSAIDs might make it harder to get pregnant. This might be more likely when NSAIDs are used often or over a long period of time. 

Does taking fenoprofen increase the chance of miscarriage?  

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Some studies have found a higher chance of miscarriage among women who used NSAIDs (including fenoprofen) during pregnancy, while other studies have not. It is hard to know whether any increased risk is due to the medication itself, the medical condition being treated, or other factors.  

Does taking fenoprofen increase the chance of birth defects?  

Birth defects can happen in any pregnancy for different reasons. Out of all babies born each year, about 3 out of 100 (3%) will have a birth defect. We look at research studies to try to understand if an exposure, like fenoprofen, might increase the chance of birth defects in a pregnancy.  

A small increased chance of heart defects has been reported in a few studies looking at NSAID prescriptions in early pregnancy. However, the reason the NSAID was prescribed was not available in most of the reported data. Studies based on prescription records cannot tell if a person took the medication. This makes it hard to know if the study outcomes are related to medication or other factors. Other studies looking at NSAID use have not found a risk for birth defects.  

Does taking fenoprofen in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems? 

There are some studies that suggest NSAIDs can increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems, such as preterm delivery (birth before week 37) or low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth. Other studies have not reported these findings.    

Fenoprofen is usually not recommended after week 20 of pregnancy. Some reports suggest that using NSAIDs in the second half of pregnancy might affect the fetal kidneys and lower the amount of amniotic fluid (the fluid around the fetus in the womb). One study also suggested that NSAID use earlier in pregnancy might have similar effects. Too little amniotic fluid (called oligohydramnios) can lead to problems like poor lung development, stiff joints, or the need for early delivery by induction or C-section. In rare cases, oligohydramnios could cause fetal death before birth.  

Using fenoprofen later in pregnancy might cause the ductus arteriosus (an opening between the two major blood vessels leading from the heart) to close early. If the ductus arteriosus closes before it should, it can cause high blood pressure in the fetal lungs (pulmonary hypertension).  

Fenoprofen should only be used under a healthcare provider’s supervision, particularly in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Your healthcare providers can closely monitor your pregnancy if you need to use fenoprofen after week 20 of pregnancy. 

Does taking fenoprofen in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?  

It is not known if fenoprofen can increase the chance of behavior or learning issues for the child. 

What screenings or tests are available to see if my pregnancy has birth defects or other issues? 

Prenatal ultrasounds can be used to screen for some pregnancy-related problems, such as oligohydramnios and fetal kidney function. Fetal echocardiograms (an ultrasound of the fetal heart) can be used to identify premature closure of the ductus arteriosus. Ultrasound can also be used to monitor the growth of the fetus. Talk with your healthcare provider about any prenatal screenings or testing that are available to you. There are no tests available during pregnancy that can tell how much effect there could be on future behavior or learning. 

Breastfeeding while taking fenoprofen: 

Fenoprofen passes into breast milk in small amounts. There is no information on potential side effects in children exposed to fenoprofen through breast milk. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions.  

If a man takes fenoprofen, could it affect fertility or increase the chance of birth defects? 

It is not known if fenoprofen could affect men’s fertility (ability to make healthy sperm). Studies have not been done to see if fenoprofen could increase the chance of birth defects. In general, exposures that fathers or sperm donors have are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.  

Please click here for references. 

This sheet is about having malaria in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. This information is based on published research studies. It should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. 

What is malaria?  

Malaria is an infectious disease found in parts of the world with warmer weather, especially in tropical and subtropical areas like sub-Saharan Africa, New Guinea, South Asia, Central and South America.  

Symptoms of malaria can range from mild to severe. Most people with malaria have fever and flu-like illness with chills, headache, muscle soreness, and extreme tiredness (fatigue). Some people may also have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anemia (low red blood cell count), or jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). More rarely, malaria infection may lead to kidney failure, seizures, confusion, coma, or death. Malaria symptoms usually start between 7 to 30 days after infection but can happen up to one year after exposure. 

How do you get malaria? 

People can get malaria from being bitten by a mosquito infected with malaria parasites (Plasmodium). Less commonly, malaria infection can come from blood transfusions, organ transplants, or the shared use of needles or syringes contaminated with infected blood. A pregnant woman who has malaria can also pass malaria to the fetus / baby before or during delivery.  

Malaria is not passed through casual contact because it is found only in blood. You cannot get malaria from holding hands or sitting next to someone with malaria. It is not passed like the common cold or flu through coughing or sneezing. 

What can I do to prevent getting malaria? 

Since no method of malaria prevention works completely, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that that pregnant women avoid traveling to areas where malaria is common. If travel cannot be avoided, you can lower your chance of being bitten by mosquitos by using insect repellent correctly, sleeping in places without mosquitoes, wearing long sleeves and pants, and taking medication to prevent malaria before, during, and after your trip.  

See the MotherToBaby fact sheets on DEET: https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/deet-nn-ethyl-m-toluamide-pregnancy/ and Insect Repellents: https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/insect-repellents/),  

Getting malaria during pregnancy is usually more dangerous for the pregnant woman and the fetus than the possible risks from some of the medication used for prevention. If you have questions about a specific medication, talk with your healthcare provider or a MotherToBaby specialist. 

I have malaria. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?  

It is not known if having malaria can make it harder to get pregnant. 

Does having/getting malaria increase the chance of miscarriage?  

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Having malaria during pregnancy increases the chance of miscarriage.   

Does having/getting malaria increase the chance of birth defects?  

Birth defects can happen in any pregnancy for different reasons. Out of all babies born each year, about 3 out of 100 (3%) will have a birth defect. We look at research studies to try to understand if an exposure, like malaria, might increase the chance of birth defects in a pregnancy. Malaria is not expected to increase the chance of birth defects. 

Would having/getting malaria increase the chance of other pregnancy related problems?  

Having malaria during pregnancy increases the chance of preterm birth (birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy), stillbirth, and growth problems in the fetus. Symptoms of malaria during pregnancy, such as fever, low oxygen levels, or low blood sugar, may also raise the chance of pregnancy complications.  

When a woman has malaria during pregnancy, there is a chance that the placenta, the fetus, or both will be infected. Infection of the placenta is common and can prevent the fetus from getting enough oxygen and nutrients. Infection may also raise the chance for dangerously high blood pressure in the pregnant woman. If infected with malaria during pregnancy, the baby might have symptoms of fever, irritability, feeding problems, breathing problems, sluggishness, paleness, anemia, an enlarged liver and spleen, jaundice, and/or diarrhea in the weeks after birth.   

Does having/getting malaria in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?    

It is not known if malaria can affect future behavior or learning for the child. One study showed that malaria infections in pregnancy, especially in late pregnancy, could be related to motor delay (rolling over, crawling, walking).  

What screenings or tests are available to see if the fetus has growth issues? 

Prenatal ultrasounds can be used to monitor the growth of the pregnancy. Talk with your healthcare provider about any prenatal screenings or testing that are available to you. There are no tests available during pregnancy that can tell how much effect there could be on future behavior or learning. 

Breastfeeding while I have malaria: 

Malaria is not passed through breast milk, so breastfeeding will not give your baby malaria. Some medications used to treat malaria might enter the breast milk. Talk with your healthcare provider or contact a MotherToBaby specialist with questions about your specific medication.  

One medication to use with caution while breastfeeding is called primaquine. This drug is able to treat malaria infections, but it may cause serious red blood cell problems in people and infants who have a genetic condition called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD deficiency). People who need primaquine should be tested for G6PD deficiency before this medication is used. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions.  

If a man has malaria, can it affect his fertility or increase the chance of birth defects?   

Studies have not been done to see if malaria could affect male fertility (ability to make healthy sperm) or increase the chance of birth defects. There is one case report of a man who had low sperm count while ill with malaria. Studies were not done to confirm if malaria was the cause of the reported temporary low sperm count. In general, exposures that men have are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.   

Please click here for references.  

This sheet talks about some of the general exposures present in veterinary work settings and outlines some resources available to help create a safe work environment. This information is based on published research studies. It should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. 

What types of hazards might be at my workplace? 

In general, workplace hazards that veterinarians (vets) and veterinary technicians (vet techs) could include:  

• anesthesia and waste gases  

• X-rays / ionizing radiation 

• medications  

• pesticides 

• cleaning agents and other chemicals  

• accidents (bites, falls, needle sticks)  

• infections from bites or scratches 

• animal-transmitted diseases and parasites  

• allergic reactions  

• heavy lifting and physical strain  

• shift work  

• mental stress 

Veterinary staff work in many different environments, and everyone may have different concerns about the hazards in their workplace. Remember that being around a potential hazard does not mean your exposure is high enough to cause harm. There are also safety steps all workers can take to limit and reduce their exposure. 

General Pregnancy Information: 

Birth defects can happen in any pregnancy for different reasons. Out of all babies born each year, about 3 out of 100 (3%) will have a birth defect. We look at research studies to try to understand if a certain exposure might increase the chance of birth defects in a pregnancy. Also, miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons.  

Not all exposures increase the chance of birth defects. If an exposure can cause birth defects, it is most likely to do so during the first trimester (through week 13) of pregnancy. Dose (how much) of an exposure is also important to consider when evaluating workplace hazards. For more information on fetal development during pregnancy, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet on critical periods of development at: https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/critical-periods-development/.   

I work around anesthetic agents. Can this harm my pregnancy? 

Older studies, which were mostly done before the use of modern scavenging equipment (devices that collect anesthesia from the air to prevent its inhalation by staff), suggested that repeated exposure or exposure to high levels of inhaled anesthetics in an occupational setting might increase the chance of birth defects or miscarriage. However, occupational exposure to inhaled anesthetics with the use of scavenging equipment and proper techniques is not expected to increase the chance of miscarriage or birth defects.  

Anesthetics can be given through injection, IV infusion, intubation, or mask inhalation. For each person, the risk of exposure to inhaled anesthesia will depend on the specific drugs used, how they are given, and the protective measures that are in place. Workers often face their highest chance of exposure during induction and recovery and when filling the vaporizer. Air monitoring can be done to evaluate staff exposure. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has a document (https://www.osha.gov/waste-anesthetic-gases/workplace-exposures-guidelines) with detailed information on workplace controls and recommended exposure limits for anesthetic gases. 

I am around our x-ray machine. Does this mean that I am exposed to radiation? 

In veterinary work settings, ionizing radiation could also occur with use of radioactive isotopes and radiation therapy machines (for example, assisting in fluoroscopy procedures and I-131 treatments for hyperthyroid animals). Our MotherToBaby fact sheet on working around ionizing radiation has more information on working with x-ray machines: https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/ionizing-radiation-workplace-pregnancy/. 

Should I be worried about handling medications during pregnancy? 

There are some medications that are considered unsafe to directly handle while pregnant without taking proper precautions. A list of some hazardous drugs can be found in Tables 1 and 2 (https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2016-161/default.html) of this document from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).  

Workers could be exposed to hazardous drugs while handling them during reconstitution, transfer between containers, spiking and unspiking IV containers, priming IV tubing, connecting or disconnecting syringes from injection ports, disposal, and/or with equipment maintenance. Handling body fluids of treated animals such as vomit and urine can expose you to medications. Exposure can also occur when stocking and storing hazardous drugs as surface contamination studies have shown that areas where the drugs were stored and handled were often contaminated. 

Infertility, loss of pregnancy, birth defects, and poor fetal growth have been reported with handling exposure for some medications at work. However, most of these studies were among nurses who spent a lot of time around hazardous drugs. All employees handling medications should have training that covers ways to lower exposure to hazardous medications including opening, handling, administering, storing and disposal. 

NIOSH has a document with tips to prevent occupational exposure to hazardous drugs (https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2023-130/default.html). If you handle hazardous medications, be sure to wear protective gear. When you are finished handling the drugs, clean the preparation area and wash your hands. Do not eat or drink in the area where these drugs are prepared or administered or when wearing contaminated gloves or other protective clothing. 

Are there animal (zoonotic) or parasitic diseases that I should be concerned about?  

A zoonotic disease is a disease that can be passed between animals and humans. Zoonotic diseases can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. Exposure can occur when people come into contact with the saliva, blood, urine, or feces of an infected animal, or when they are bitten by a tick or mosquito. When you are pregnant, your body can have a harder time fighting infections and you have a greater chance of developing serious complications from diseases. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and think you have contracted a disease, illness, or parasite contact your healthcare provider.  

Some of the diseases that vets and vet techs might be exposed to include Q Fever, Toxoplasmosis, Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus, Rabies, Mites, Scabies, Brucellosis, Leptospirosis, Chlamydophila psittaci, Ringworm, Giardiasis and Helminths (worms). MotherToBaby has fact sheets on several of these exposures at: https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/.   

Veterinary staff who are pregnant and who are responsible for dealing with bodily fluids from the animals, such as cleaning cages, litter boxes, or feces from an infected animal, can consider passing this responsibility to another co-worker. However, all staff members should wear proper protective equipment such as thick disposable gloves, protective clothing, and a mask while handling sick animals and their samples regardless of whether they are pregnant or not. Proper hand washing is critical. Make sure you are up to date on all your immunizations.  

The veterinary infection control committee of the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV)has a document (http://nasphv.org/Documents/VeterinaryStandardPrecautions.pdf) that outlines protocols for the prevention of zoonotic disease. 

How can I learn more about the pesticides and cleaning chemicals I work with? 

Vet workers use strong cleaning chemicals to sterilize equipment and rooms and could be around pesticides. You can learn about the ingredients in the products that you use by looking at their Safety Data Sheets (SDS). The SDS should be made available in your workplace. These sheets will describe the proper way to use, store, and dispose of these chemicals. Proper workplace practices and precautions will limit your exposure to most of these products. Check to make sure that you are using the correct type of gloves and other personal protective equipment. Make sure the ventilation/air exchange in your workspace is working properly. An occupational health specialist or industrial hygienist can help make sure your worksite has the correct protection in place.  

Can heavy lifting, strain or stress pose a risk for my pregnancy? 

Vet workers have a physically demanding job that involves lifting and restraining animals and long periods of standing as well as long work hours. Ligaments (the tissue that connect bones) start to loosen throughout pregnancy, which makes them more prone to injury. People who are pregnant will be adjusting to a shifted center of gravity. This can make balancing more difficult.  

Some studies suggest that prolonged standing during pregnancy is associated with lower birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth) or preterm labor and preterm delivery (birth before week 37). Some studies showing low birth weight are from developing countries, where poor nutrition and tougher working conditions may also affect the results. There are some published recommendations on occupational lifting related to pregnancy. Talk with your provider about your personal limits. Be sure to request training on proper lifting techniques to reduce chances of personal injury. Consider asking for help when you need to lift or restrain animals. If your job requires you to be on your feet for long periods of time, take regular short breaks of about 5-10 minutes every 2 hours.  

How do I reduce job-related exposures? 

MotherToBaby has a general fact sheet on working during pregnancy and breastfeeding (https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/reproductive-hazards-workplace/) with ways to reduce potential chemical exposures. Your worksite should provide SDS on all chemicals and proper personal protection for all parts of your job. Be certain to use them, even when not pregnant or breastfeeding. 

One of the most important steps you can take is to practice proper hand washing. Wash hands before and after each patient and after contact with any bodily substance or articles contaminated by them. Wash hands before eating or drinking; after cleaning animal cages or animal-care areas, after handling chemicals, and whenever hands are visibly soiled. The NASPHV created a Model Infection Control Plan for Veterinary Practices that outlines hand washing, use of gloves, sleeves, facial protection, and protective outerwear, along with animal-related injury prevention, protective actions to use during veterinary procedures, and environmental controls. This plan is available at https://www.nasphv.org/documentsCompendiaVet.html 

Who can I contact for more information?  

If you have specific concerns regarding your worksite discuss them with your healthcare provider or call MotherToBaby with your questions. You or your employer can contact an industrial hygienist (https://aiha.org/public-resources/consultants-listing) to have your worksite evaluated for ways to keep all workers there as safe as possible. Small businesses can also contact OSHA’s on-site consultation services to help determine whether there are hazards at their worksite: https://www.osha.gov/consultation.  

Some additional web resources:  

• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): www.AVMA.org   
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/veterinary/hazard.html   
• National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV): www.nasphv.org   
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH): https://www.cdc.gov/niosh /  
• NIOSH – The Effects of Workplace Hazards on Female Reproductive Health: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/99-104/   
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/reproductivehazards/index.html   
• Office of Women’s Health at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA): https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-information-audience/women  

Please click here for references