Thanks Teresa and Jennifer. I have tested negative for MRSA myself in the past and am extremely cautious when working with patients - I worked in the UK for two years and didnt even contract it due to my super efficient hygiene practices!. I guess my main worry - is after the birth. At the moment, I can limit the contact with family members myself, but I cant limit my husbands contact with them. But after the birth, how do I avoid things like in-laws not washing hands properly before they touch the baby, or kissing the infected person and then kissing me or the baby or my husband, or washing their hands and then picking or touching their nose and then touching the baby etc etc - I have all these things running through my head... and I am catastrophising it in my head as I just keep imagining all these MRSA infected hands over the baby when its born and keep freaking out... How do you tell in laws politely to wash their hands properly before touching a newborn and to not touch their faces while they are around us... oh man..
OH, and how do you avoid re-infections when the family dont seem to understand the carrier thing...
Last edited by tinkerbelle; June 15th, 2010 at 02:59 PM.
Generally the infected site is the issue. If it is in an open wound then all practices relating to the wound would need to be scrupulously clean but other wise there should be little issue. Do you know where the infection is?
It is definitely not being OTT to be concerned especially regarding your baby as MRSA can be so tricky to manage. I would start a dialogue about it now whilst you can gather accurate info and form a game plan on how to deal with it rather than once baby arrives.
I know it's hard but I wouldn't worry to much about it. Like Teresa said you may already carry it and not know it and never be affected by it. I have worked in neonates for close to nine years and have never seen an MRSA infection in an infant or heard of one in a post partum mum. Just remind people that it is hospital policy that they must wash their hands or rub them with alcohol gel before they touch the baby, I find most people will comply with that, and you can buy good quality sanitising hand gel in chemists now.
On this topic as well. I have had the worst luck in this pregnancy - I have had recent exposures to cold sores (which I have no immunity to), flu, a person with a stubborn chest infection and potential exposure to MRSA - I am so over sick people who seem to be out to infect me at the moment!!!! Anyone know of any safe supplements you can take in pregnancy to boost immunity?? My naturopath has me on extra zinc, extra vitamin C, and lysine for the cold sore exposure - but with the amount of infections Ive been near now, I am worried it wont be enough! Im on strong probiotics so hoping they will help..
Help, Have just had a pc from the MIL saying the family have decided not to get swabbed for the MRSA as the nurses at our grandma's nursing home said there is nothing to worry about, even for a pregnant person! This seems to contradict everything I have ever heard about this bug???
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks