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1st Trimester
strawberryscentedlovebug
member
Pets while pregnant
strawberryscentedlovebug
member
Just wanted to see if anyone else has continued to remain with their pets in the household while pregnant. Before becoming pregnant I considered my pets (I have both cats and a dog) my kids. Me and my partner Eric would speak about them like little children. I'd get home to stories of how they had "misbehaved" or stories of something surprising they had done. I love them and can't wait for my daughter to be born and grow along side them. I know she will love them. I never considered once to "get rid" of them. I of course have discussed them and cautions with my doctor and am doing everything I was advised. It just gets me so upset when people tell me I need to "get rid" of my pets, or give me faces and scold me for keeping them! Hello! I am not the first person ever to have a pet while pregnant and I won't be the last! Does any one else get this reaction from people when they find out you have a pet?
I am so happy to read these comments! They made me smile and cry a little because I feel very strongly about my animals too! Thank you for the comments! I really do get worked up about this topic because like was posted here, pets are family. I really do believe that. They enter our lives and grow with us and have distinct personalities. If any of my pets were to be gone from me I would feel like I have lost someone dear to me, someone irreplacable. Most people don't understand that and try to make you feel bad by saying the baby has to come first. That is true the baby does come first, but keeping my pets and allowing my child to grow with and aquire a wonderful companion does not mean I am putting my child second. Thank you again for your comments!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Pets while pregnant
My MIL already told me how she had to get rid of her cat when my BIL was born b/c the cat kept going 'after' the baby. So I said what does "going after" mean exactly? It kept jumping in the crib. Did you try and train it NOT to jump in the crib, NO. People don't want to take the time that is needed so the easy fix is to just "get rid" of the pets. My pets are my babies we'll work it out and be a happy family.
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We have two dogs, one is almost 8 and the other is almost 4. They are a part of our family and will stay with us while our family continues to grow. My little dog goes with me everywhere...including my classroom when I am setting-up. They both love when kids come to visit and will do awesome when a baby joins our family.
That's really sad how people treat their pets. My MIL also had a cat that kept jumping into DH's crib when he was born and would not leave his crib. Every time they tried to lock the cat out of the room, the cat somehow snuck back in. Eventually they just gave up keeping it out.
My DH is one of the few people I know who has never had any pet allergies or any sort of asthma or breathing problems.
There are NUMEROUS studies out there now (Google them) that show that having pets while you are pregnant and while your baby is young REDUCES their chances of getting athsma or allergy problems!
Children who grow up in pet-free homes have a much higher likelihood of developing breathing problems.
TTC #1 since 2007. Dx: Unexplained infertility. 4 IUIs in 2008 = BFN. IVF #1 07/09. DD #1 born April 2010 (40w5d).
TTC #2 since 2011. Dx: Endometriosis and hypothyroidism. 2 FETs in 2012, BFP 6/12 but m/c @ 7 weeks. IVF #2 06/13. DD #2 born March 2014 (40w1d).
Tip if your kitties love the crib or bassinet:
Foil.
Just put a layer of foil over the mattress and if your cats jump in it the sound will scare them. I put it in our pack n play last week and they won't even think about jumping in it. Even though I trust they won't jump in it anymore I will still shut them out of Henry's room to be safe.
are you effing kidding me? If someone had the nerve to say that to me, I would remind them that I took this dog in and promised to provide for it and care for it for its ENTIRE life. Pets are NOT expendable.
This makes me sick. I love my dog very much. Its part of my family. If, for some reason, Ollie didn't get along with my baby (almost impossible) I would just keep him separated from the baby. It can be done and I would commit to it.
OMG, I'm so fired up about this topic. LOL.
Agreed!!!!
Evelyn (3.24.10), Graham (5.30.13) & Miles (8.28.16)
We have 2 dogs. I've had them since I was 17. With my 1st pregnancy they were great. My german shepherd seemed to "know" I was pregnant, he became very protective of me and after my daughter was born, he always always slept under/next to her bassinet, and now next to her crib. But since she's 2 now and is more interested with playing with the dog than going to bed we've had to shut him out of her room, so he sleeps outside her door now. they are 2 peas in a pod its so sweet. He lets her do anything to him and he just takes it. I also have a dachshund who is less excited about my daughter and often hides from her LOL.
I too could not imagine giving my animals away they have been such an integral part of my life for so long. Although as of late I have been considering finding a home for my dachshund. We are both active duty Air Force and are gone all day, and we're both in school, already have one DD and another baby on the way. I'm afraid we won't be able to give both dogs the love, time and attention they need. The german shedherd is easy as pie, but my dachshund needs ALOT of attention and love and i'm afraid she just isn't getting that and isn't happy. I'm still up in the air, and my mind changes everyday. My husband doesn't like her at all and wants me to find her a home...but I don't really care if he doesn't like her she's been my dog since I was a teenager!!
My aunt has "joked" that she is going to bring our pit to the shelter while we are in the hospital, and I know my grandpa will also be worried just because of the breed. Nobody knows we are expecting yet, but when they do I'm sure I'll hear it... Our dog is the sweetest, least aggressive dog ever!! She LOVES children and babies- she has been around them and socialized with all ages of children and other dogs since she was 12 weeks old. We would never even consider of getting rid of her. She is a part of our family. We have had her since before we were married and I can't imagine our life without her.
That said- I am offended that people think I would be such an irresponsible mother and pet owner to ever have there be a situation where something could happen. I would not leave my child alone with any animal.
This refers to an OWT about cats "sucking" the life out of babies.
Aside from that - we have a beautiful Golden (see siggy) and I would never even entertain the thought of discarding him because I'm pregnant. He's a part of our family.
going to google, LOL never heard this OWT!
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I have yet to have someone tell me that I need to get rid of my dog. In no way will I. She is my first girl. I know she will be in for a rude awakening when the baby comes, and many have told us that we will ignore her and that her sleeping on the bed with us will end. I seriously doubt that we will ignore her. Sure she won't have all the attention she is getting now, but my husband even says she will still sleep with us.
Those people that tell you to get rid of your pets are out of their mind.
CRAZY PEOPLE!!! Only crazy people would tell you to "get rid" of your pets! My husband and I just talked last night that we hope our twins get to play and really get to know our two older dogs (black lab and a basset). Our dogs WILL STAY!! Please just ignore those folks! Most dog/cat lovers have taken the time to teach there pets to love and can continue to do that after the baby arrives! Our pets know what is important to us and our kids will learn to love our pets!
Since I have been pregnant, my black lab and stuck by my side even more than usual! I think he knows what I have not been feeling well and he is doing what he can to make me feel better! Pets are AWESOME!