Are farms / petting zoos ok when pregnant?

[alana39]

I have a vague recollection that there are animals (sheep?) you should avoid when pregnant. Any idea if that's just 1st trimester or the whole way through? And if there are other animals you should steer clear of?

I'm 22 weeks and there's a local fair next weekend, and I've just noticed the ad says there's a petting zoo and visiting farm. DCs have also noticed (perils of them learning to read ) but would welcome any health warnings or advice just in case.

Thanks.

[nickytwotimes]

Lambing is off limits when you are pg, but otherwise it is fine.
Take a wee bottle of hand sanitiser with you. You can get it for 99p in the chemist/supermarket.

[nickytwotimes]

Oh, and not that you need to consider this, but don't handle poo.

[pinkspottywellies]

It's sheep during the lambing season (but best just to avoid sheep to be on the safe side) and petting zoos will usually have a sign up advising you not to touch/come into contact with sheep. I guess you should make sure everyone else washes thier hands well after touching them too.

[readyfornumber2and3]

just make sure you wash your hands after and you should be fine.
you should stay away from sheep during lambing season but I think thats over now isnt it?

[alana39]

thanks everyone. will definitely avoid poo nicky, have enough of that at home

[JemL]

I checked this the other day, as am going to an activity farm and had the same vague recollection about lambs. The advice from Tommy's is not to lamb ewes, or handle newborn lambs. There is no risk from being in a pen or a field with lambs or sheep, and there is no risk of toxoplasmosis from their poo. Not that I particularly wanted to cover myself in sheep crap, but it is good to know!!

[sjbj]

SHEEP
Sheep may miscarry or give birth to sick lambs following infection with listeria, chlamydia psittaci or toxoplasma. These organisms can cause infection in pregnant women and can cause miscarriage or harm to the unborn baby. Do not assist with lambing, or handle newborn lambs or come into close contact with sheep which have just given birth or miscarried. It is therefore important to be extra careful when visiting farmyard family parks. Contaminated boots and clothing should not be brought into the house but cleaned by someone else outside the property.

Just found this on the NHS site, hope it helps