1. Radiation and Imaging

This chapter covers the risks of radiation exposure in veterinary clinical practice, including diagnostic radiography, fluoroscopy, computed tomography, and radiation treatment. Nuclear medicine and imaging and the risks associated with them during both pregnancy and lactation are included. Best practices for reducing radiation exposure in both small animal and large animal settings are outlined.

2. Anesthesia

This chapter presents the evidence indicating risks to pregnancy from inhalant anesthesia exposure and the limitations of these studies. Recommended exposure limits for inhalant anesthesia are included, along with best practices to limit exposure to pregnant individuals and to staff in general

3. Infectious Diseases

This chapter covers zoonotic diseases that have been (or could be) associated with negative pregnancy outcomes in humans. A discussion of the increased susceptibility to infectious disease during pregnancy is included.

4. Drugs and Chemicals

This chapter discusses drugs and chemicals that can negatively affect pregnancy and/or the health of the fetus or infant. Where known, the effects of a drug or chemical exposure on a breastfeeding infant are included. For each drug, the use in veterinary medicine is explained, along with the risk posed to pregnancy and/or lactation. The recommended precautions are outlined.

5. Injuries and Ergonomic Hazards

This chapter reviews common injuries and rates of injuries in veterinarians and veterinary staff in practice. Preventive measures to reduce risks are also covered.

Ergonomic hazards include lifting, bending, pulling, pushing, prolonged standing, prolonged sitting, and repetitive upper extremity injuries. The possible sequelae associated with these hazards as they pertain to pregnant individuals are discussed, along with recommended preventive measures.

6. Stress and Fatigue

This chapter discusses the definitions of stress and fatigue and their potential effects on pregnancy, based on scientific studies. Methods to manage fatigue during pregnancy are also reviewed, along with possible workplace adjustments to mitigate the effects.

7. Trying to Conceive, Assistive Reproductive Techniques, and Pregnancy Loss

This chapter reviews general information about trying to conceive naturally. Infertility and fertility treatments are reviewed, along with ways to support veterinary professionals in the workplace throughout their fertility treatment, adoption journey, or pregnancy loss experience.

8. Announcing Pregnancy at Work

This chapter reviews ways to announce pregnancy at work, work-related legal protections for pregnant women in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and other countries. Guidance is offered on appropriate responses from employers and coworkers when they receive news of a pregnant employee.

9. Planning Parental Leave

This chapter discusses laws and regulations around parental leave, including leave length, job protection, pay, and more. These are compared between states, countries, and different workplace environments. The importance of parental leave for both parents is emphasized, along with review of the benefits of leave on parent-child bonding, reduced stress, and improved job satisfaction. The concept of gradual re-entry programs is introduced.

10. The Fourth Trimester/Maternity Leave

This chapter covers the adjustment from a structured, organized workday to sleepless nights and trying to heal while caring for a newborn. Select topics in maternal health are covered, including the importance of consistent postpartum medical care. Steps to support maternal health are discussed.

Select topics in infant health, including NICU stays and how to navigate them, establishing feeding, infectious disease prevention, SUID and how to reduce the risk are reviewed. Personal and workplace boundaries are discussed. Communication and keeping in touch with the workplace during leave are included as well.

11.Mental Health

This chapter reviews mental health, burnout, and some of the causes of poor mental health in veterinary professionals. Perinatal mental health disorders are defined. Treatment options and resources, both general and veterinary-specific, are included.

12. Going Back to Work, Childcare, Pumping at Work, Being a Working Parent

This chapter discusses of the preparations involved in returning to work. This includes obtaining childcare and the various childcare options. A review of the myriad normal emotional responses, from not wanting to return at all, to being anxious to get back into the clinic are included. The logistics of pumping at work and the laws that surround and protect breastfeeding and pumping in various countries are included in this chapter. Ways to support working parents and ways for working parents to find support are described.

"This book is amazing – I wish I had something like this when I was having my kids! Dr. Emily Singler has written a comprehensive guide for any veterinary professional thinking about having a family. For every part of navigating pregnancy and the postpartum period, her book offers facts sprinkled with real life experiences from mothers with a range of experiences and from all parts of the veterinary profession. My personal experience was trying to piece these things together and figuring it out as I went and mostly on my own. Dr Singler has distilled so much useful information, advice, references, and recommendations - this is an essential resource for every veterinary practice and people navigating parenting in the veterinary profession."

--Annie Wayne DVM, MPH, DACVECC and mother of three 

 

 

Dr. Singler has written an authoritative, first-of-its-kind book on pregnancy in veterinary medicine. The information is well-researched, and each chapter is complemented by true stories from veterinarians and veterinary technicians. This book should be read by anyone in the veterinary field who plans on getting pregnant or is pregnant, and by anyone who works with or manages pregnant team members. Most definitely a tremendous and much-needed resource in the veterinary field.
--Lori Teller, DVM, DABVP (canine/feline), CVJ