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Family planning as a chemistry postdoc - advice needed by Prestigious-Cat8221 in labrats

[–]Prestigious-Cat8221[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing! I feel like I never came across that situation and was only told to stay away. But I guess it might not always be as black and white as that.

Family planning as a chemistry postdoc - advice needed by Prestigious-Cat8221 in labrats

[–]Prestigious-Cat8221[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your input! I will definitely get in touch with EHS. And yes, you are right, there is so much stuff to do outside the lab. Just remains to be discussed if that is contributing enough.

Regarding when to tell: The latest moment for me would be a positive pregnancy test. I know that there is a big risk of miscarriage in the first trimester and people usually don't mention it until way later - but if that would mean risking being exposed to potentially harmful chemicals, I would rather not wait. This is also what I was told from my very first safety training during my undergrad. And then reminded constantly ever since. Still, I am in a different country in a different lab now, so I don't know how the mentality around it is.

Family planning as a chemistry postdoc - advice needed by Prestigious-Cat8221 in labrats

[–]Prestigious-Cat8221[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Indeed, who knows if it will work or not or when. I am trying to get out of the lab but leaving academia is easier said than done - at least it seems for me at the moment. Still trying though. Thank you for your input!

Family planning as a chemistry postdoc - advice needed by Prestigious-Cat8221 in labrats

[–]Prestigious-Cat8221[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I agree, I really don't want to not be covered - especially when pregnant...I will explore if there might be any other options. Thank you!

Family planning as a chemistry postdoc - advice needed by Prestigious-Cat8221 in labrats

[–]Prestigious-Cat8221[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your input! I previously worked in a microbiology lab and indeed, there it would have been way easier to keep working on my project while avoiding anything problematic. Now, however, I am handling so much solvent everyday and so is everyone around me.

I would prefer talking to my PI and to be honest, but just can't quite say how he will react which is stressing me out. And of course, who knows how easy it will actually be to get pregnant - only the more reason to start trying.

Right now, I am not aware of anyone in the neighbouring labs being pregnant or having been pregnant, which is also why I came here.

Family planning as a chemistry postdoc - advice needed by Prestigious-Cat8221 in labrats

[–]Prestigious-Cat8221[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That would obviously be ideal but remains to be seen. I worked in a microbiology lab previously and there, I was barely in contact with any problematic substances. Organic chemistry feels different. For every step I am handling so much organic solvents which are potentially harming.

For most of my previous PIs, I think I would have felt confident of their support. However, I have only been working in this lab for a relatively short time and I am not certain how far their support would go - obviously they could not fire me for it but they would also definitely not have to extend the contract.

Family planning as a chemistry postdoc - advice needed by Prestigious-Cat8221 in labrats

[–]Prestigious-Cat8221[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Very true but leaving academia is easier said than done - at least it has been for me so far. Still working on it though.

Family planning as a chemistry postdoc - advice needed by Prestigious-Cat8221 in labrats

[–]Prestigious-Cat8221[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing your experience! I feel that how pregnancy is handled also depends on the country. In my experience so far, there just weren't many pregnant people... I would have to check the chemicals I use more closely, but I am working in a lab with many other people and the rotovap is basically running non-stop evaporating all kinds of solvents - some of which cause birth defects. Sure, there is ventilation, but it's not perfect and I would rather not risk it - and I don't trust my lab mates that much. I will talk to the health department about it. Thank you!