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Pregnancy

Would you go to my MIL's for a weekend?

16 replies

MrsFogi · 11/08/2005 17:39

I'm pregnant so am watching out re toxoplasmosis etc. However, we are being summoned to MIL's for the weekend for her birthday. My problem with that is that MIL has two large cats which can do no wrong - in the kitchen they are allowed to roam the worksurfaces, table (even while people are preparing food/eating) and the rest of the house, they are frequently fed off normal dinner plates and their litter and food trays live in the kitchen by the fridge.
She has agreed that while I'm there she'll keep the cats in her bedroom but I'm not convinced that gets around the point that before we arrive the cats have been EVERYWHERE.
Would you go? Do you think there is a risk?

OP posts:

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hercules · 11/08/2005 17:40

I would go. I think the risk is only if you are handling the litter box yourself.

WigWamBam · 11/08/2005 17:43

hercules is right - the only danger is if you are handling dirty litter or cat poo yourself. The fact that the cats get everywhere might be unhygienic, but it won't leave you at risk of toxoplasmosis.

saadia · 11/08/2005 17:51

Being the overly cautious type, if I could get out of going I would, although I know this is difficult with regard to family events. It sounds really unhygenic, plus I'm not a huge fan of cats.

oops · 11/08/2005 18:00

Message withdrawn

moondog · 11/08/2005 18:12

God it sounds vile. Could be manoeuvred into being a good excuse not to go though.

I was paranoid about tp when I was pg. (In retrospect,a holiday in Morocco where there are cats everywhere when I was 14 weeks gone, left me completely freaked.)
Thought about it a lot as in France (where my sister lives),they routinely test for it. I asked my MW to test me for it,as apparently a lot of people (50%) have had it and are then immune. I wasn't one of those unfortunately but my other sister was,and it was one less thing for her to worry about. (Which just left 12,000 others...)

MrsFogi · 12/08/2005 11:55

Thanks - a little seed of a thought was growing that it could be a way to get out of going........
although dh is not very impressed at my attempts to wriggle out of the visit!
I'm not sure I'll be delighted about bringing a small baby there either next year.

OP posts:

munz · 12/08/2005 11:57

I would go, but would have to say the litter tray's cleaned after each toileting and all surfaces are sanatized b4 u prepare food/eat from them, and there's to be no on the table.

(stuff I'd insist if I had cat's of my own - which is why I don't have them!)

moondog · 12/08/2005 11:59

MF, don't do anything you feel uncomfortable with,if it will just get you worrying for the rest of your pregnancy.

koalabear · 12/08/2005 12:31

how do you know if you have contracted toxoplas-thingy?

FairyMum · 12/08/2005 12:33

I think it sounds quite disgusting, but I don't think it is a risk. I have cats and changed their litter in all my pregnancy. Just washed my hands. But might be different if you don't have cats I think. I think it's quite normal to have cat litter in the kitchen, but it's yukkie isn't it?

moondog · 12/08/2005 12:54

You don't koala,because most people who contract it are either unaware or have mild flu like symptoms. It's only dangerous to an unborn child. You can however be tested to see if you have had it (and are then immune to further infection iirc).

Shit of any sort in the kitchen is unspeakably foul and unhygienic.

lulabelle · 12/08/2005 13:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

edodgy · 12/08/2005 13:05

I wouldnt go either even if you are not in direct contact with the litter tray cats use their paws to bury their poo so wherever their paws walk there can be poo traces so if they're on kitchen surfaces where food is being prepared this is a big no imo.

mummyhill · 12/08/2005 15:38

Most responsible cat owners wipe all surfaces down with either anti bacterial cleaner or bleach before preparing food. The risk is quite low, is it really worth offending mil and upsetting dh?

geranium · 12/08/2005 15:45

I had this issue when I was 16 weeks and we were planning to visit dh's Aunt who have lots of dogs who roam free. In the end, dh went by himself and I stayed home. There was probably no risk but why take any chances, particularly if you are going to worry before, during and after teh visit!

RedZuleika · 12/08/2005 17:02

I have a dog, so I'm not unfamiliar with scooping the poop - but at least I can guarantee that he won't have been on the furniture, the beds and certainly not the kitchen worksurfaces. And any doggie waste is going to be outside. I'm not a cat fan anyway, but the thing I hate the most is the fact that you can't keep them at ground level.

To be honest, I'd probably find excuses not to eat at her house any time, let alone when pregnant.

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