Worrying myself to death over toxoplasmosis

[Birdy92]

Hello,

I’m 22 weeks pregnant and currently very anxious about toxoplasmosis.

I pet sit on the side and stupidly took a job checking in on cats (feeding, changing/cleaning litter boxes, etc.) last Saturday and have to continue doing it until this Friday as the owner is on holiday.

They’re 7 year old indoor cats but are currently living in a pen/run area outside, which they cannot get out of while their owner is away. They usually just have access to a catio. So I know the risk is low but I can’t stop thinking about catching the infection.

I wear gloves and wash/sanitise my hands obsessively when I’m dealing with the litter and don’t touch my face until I’ve showered back at home.

My midwives tested me on Monday after I called up worried and got the negative results today, however they said they wouldn’t be following up, which I really don’t understand as I’m still looking after the cats until Friday and the antibodies for a recent infection can take up to 2 weeks to show on a test. I’m seeing my midwife next week so going to try and convince her to test me again in a few weeks.

It’s safe to say I won’t be taking on any other cat jobs during the rest of my pregnancy but am I right to not feel reassured by my negative test or am I being paranoid?

I think your anxiety is the problem here. You’ve had a negative result and you are taking all the correct precautions to prevent toxoplasmosis.

It’s extremely rare (1 in 100,000 pregnancies in the UK) and you’d have to be handling days-old poo with your bare hands and then putting them in your mouth to be at any real kind of risk.

Could you use your next appointment with your midwife to talk about how to manage your anxiety instead of having further testing? That’s not me being patronising, I had awful anxiety during pregnancy and PP, so I understand how all-consuming it can be!

I'm pregnant and anxious about these things too, but I think it's unlikely you'd get it from these cats.

From my understanding -

1. they're 7 and they only shed the disease the first time they're infected. If they hunted (unlikely as they're mostly indoors) they would have it already at 7

2. the poop needs to sit for a while before you could catch toxoplasmosis from it. If you're cleaning their trays daily it's unlikely

3. you're being very careful with handwashing.

And also you have been pet sitting or around cats for a long time but don't have it. I don't think it's that common, lots of vets don't even have it.

I'm surprised they agreed to test you. I've been very anxious about this stuff but they've never considered testing me, just refer me for mental health support.

Thanks for your reassuring reply ❤️. I do feel like I find something new to be anxious about every day so know it’s a problem. But at the same time, I’d never forgive myself if this silly job harmed my baby in any way.

I will try not to dwell on it until I see my midwife next week and will speak to her about my anxiety levels.

Try not to worry too much OP. Hundreds of thousands of women who have cats, have healthy pregnancies every year!

Just take reasonable measures, such as wearing gloves, which you are already doing.

Thanks for your reply ❤️ The anxiety is horrible isn’t it, second guessing everything I do these days.

I know it’s unlikely from these cats but would feel so irresponsible if my baby did get it as the complications can be so bad.

The fact that they called me in for a blood test immediately when I contacted them didn’t help my anxiety really - I guess they can’t win when I’m feeling like this!

I understand completely. I've been really anxious about food. I'm 29 weeks pregnant and tbh I've made my pregnancy very hard for myself worrying all the time.

They were probably trying to assure you everything is fine with the negative test, I've raised the same concerns and they never even consider I could have it. I would love to be tested if I'm honest, but people say that's just feeding into the anxiety.

I would finish the job, go every day so in the extremely unlikely chance they went hunting and caught toxoplasmosis for the first time, it wouldn't even have time to be infectious, wear gloves and wash your hands as you've been doing.

❤️ I've spoken to other people and unfortunately some women really struggle with anxiety, especially with their first baby. I hope it'll get better for you, I have calmed down a bit as I've progressed through the pregnancy.

I’ve been anxious about food, too. It’s awful isn’t it, but perhaps just part of becoming a parent - all the responsibility, etc. At least we’re not the only ones feeling this way!

If your midwives aren’t testing you, it sounds like you’re super low risk. And even if you got the test (like me) there’s no guarantee you won’t get something the very next day. All we can do is our best (and yes I know I need to take my own advice here!).

You’ve helped me this morning, so thank you. I really hope your anxiety continues to decrease as your pregnancy goes on ❤️

Thank you ❤️ this thread has definitely helped calm my nerves this morning!

I'm happy you're feeling better ❤️

Yes sometimes the best thing to do is think what advice you'd give someone else. I'm so much more reasonable when I'm not involved lol.

I've got a lot better with food so if you'd like to talk about that and some ways to help, I'd happy to.

Good luck with the rest of the pregnancy :)

Haha very true and thank you!

Good luck for the rest of your pregnancy too 🥰

OP, don’t worry!

I’m fpir months pregnant and a few weeks ago came back as positive on toxoplasmosis ie have the antibodies.

Ive never had cats, never cleaned a litter box etc etc. So it’s all half of one

You can get it from soil on lettuce! Chill and breathe. You’ve tested negative!

And FWIW, my obgyn (who is private and thus could have me in for more tests to rack up fees) didn’t care a jot.

i think pregnancy can make you anxious about stuff like this. My own cat many years ago miscarried on my bed, and I immediately threw away all the expensive bedding, instead of washing it! I got some one else to handle it out of the room, too.

Hi ladies,

I had this extreme anxiety around Toxo and food when i was pregnant last year. It's such a difficult time. I was so anxious I'll spare ye the details But I would constantly look for reassurance from Different medical professionals or anyone that would listen to me basically! Anyway nobody ever came across a case of this, it's that rare. You are being so careful so try to find some peace in that. Not easy i know. If you could I would really reccomend speaking to a mental health midwife and link in for the rest of pregnancy, you need support. You're doing a great job ❤️

Bot alert. Reported.

Does anyone know if it’s spread via cuts? Weekend mixed stuff on google for