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Pets during pregnancy, just a bit of a rant

jenny1500jenny1500 member
in 2nd Trimester
I am feeling a little wound up about something my midwife said as I feel it was a little over the top. Basically I have a dog, a guinea pig and x4 chickens. She told me I should keep away from the hens while I am pregnant as it's unhygienic and after explaining that my husband is a farmer (very busy with harvesting at this time of year) they are my hens and he doesn't have time just at the moment to be looking after them, she then decides that it should be ok to tend to them as long as I wash my hands afterwards. I felt a bit annoyed at the implication that I don't usually wash my hands after dealing with my hens and also, surely I'm not the first pregnant person to keep hens! There must be loads of women chicken farmers out there! I understand that pregnant women are advised to avoid changing cat litter and contact with goats/sheep due to bacteria or something in the urine which may carry a risk of miscarriage? Not really a question, more of a rant. I feel a bit like where is the common sense? Does anyone else feel the dos and dont's of pregnancy can sometimes be a bit over the top?
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Re: Pets during pregnancy, just a bit of a rant

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  • KnitPixyKnitPixy member

    I had a "helpful" neighbour tell me that I shouldn't be petting my dog while pregnant because he is dirty.  Of course he's dirty after I take him for a walk in the woods... He was going inside for a bath!

    As I've often said... Common sense, it's not so common.

    Only words of wisdom I have is take a deep breath and remember despite how much overkill the rules may be that people are just trying to help.  So long as you exercise common sense (and basic hygiene) you should be fine.

     

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  • FeralFaunaFeralFauna member
    Hey I'm a veterinary technician..... I Handel animals of many varieties daily, my OBGYN is ok with it! Cat feces can carry Toxoplasmosis (harmful to fetus), puppies can carry parvovirus, adult dogs can carry leptospirosis (a disease that is toxic to mothers kidney & can be fatal to baby) however most yardbirds only carry external/ internal parasites, but no common zoonotic disease. Same with livestock (unless u eat their uncooked flesh).
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  • staugustineweddingstaugustinewedding member
    MrsMuq said:
    Sounds like you're the one with common sense and your MW could use some.

    Wash your hands after you care for animals, including after feeding, bathing, and grooming times (which I assume you already do).

    And yes, many of the "don'ts" in pregnancy are asinine, IMHO.
    This. You will be fine!
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    IAmPregnant Ticker

    First Met: March 13, 2009
    Married: September 13, 2012 
    BFP: March 4, 2014
    EDD: 11/25/2014 
    Three furbabies: Franklin (8) Amos (4) Sasha (2) 

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