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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Home birth with cat in house - advice please

16 replies

callieco · 03/12/2006 11:14

I'm thinking of having a home birth with my first child, and using a birthing pool, and have a cat in the house. Are there any hygiene or other issues that people with cats who have done it have come across? Was anybody refused or given grief about having a home birth because of having a cat or other pet? That hasn't happened, I'm just thinking ahead.
All advice or suggestions gratefully received.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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edam · 03/12/2006 11:17

I don't think you need to worry, cat will probably steer well clear of all the noise and fuss. Never heard of anyone being refused for this reason! FWIW my mother had my sister at home where we also had two cats. Both of them came up to inspect the new baby shortly afterwards. The mother cat was apparently unimpressed and thought it was a poor trade-in for the bump which had been nice and comfy, my mother says.

CrocodileKate · 03/12/2006 11:19

I had three cats at the time. It just wasn't an issue.

hatwoman · 03/12/2006 11:35

we had 2 cats and the mid-wife never even mentioned it

NativityJane · 03/12/2006 11:57

I am planning a home water birth very soon, our cat has never even been mentioned by the midwife. It hadn't even crossed my mind that the cat would cause any problems, though keeping her away from the blown up birth pool has been fun!!

WestCountryLass · 03/12/2006 19:26

We have a cat and it was never even mentioned. Unless you are a filthy mare anyway, I don't think there are hygeine issues (even with cat about, house probably cleaner than hospital ward...).

belgo · 03/12/2006 19:28

Cats don't like water, it will probably keep well away.

brimfull · 03/12/2006 19:30

is it a tiger? may be some issues then

Original poster

callieco · 03/12/2006 19:51

Thanks people. Ggirl, she's not a tiger but is a bit fierce sometimes...

NativityJane, if your pool's blown up I take it you're due very soon - good luck!

OP posts:

londonlou · 03/12/2006 20:03

I read on one of the main
homebirth reference sites that the site owner's cats fell into the pool on 2 of her births!! She said didn't do her or baby any harm!

HoraceWimp · 03/12/2006 20:05

you must make sure the cat goeson a butlins holiday else will have a phantom pregnancy with tom over the road who is having a gay relationship with ginge

maewestyemerrygentlemen · 03/12/2006 20:17

Didn't have a pool, but my (scaredy) cat hid under the table as soon as my homebirth earlier this year really got started. My mw did home visit at 36 weeks and did comment on the cat - i.e. she stroked her and commented how fluffy she was .

Good luck with the birth and your new babe. xx

Hattie05 · 03/12/2006 23:17

ok d'you want to hear something gross?

I just had a homebirth and i have a cat, i think it stayed out the way until the placenta had been delivered yep ...the midwife just got there in time to shoo the cat away before it had a taste of it!!

btw before birth it had never crossed my mind that there would be a problem, i'm sure yours will be fine you may just want to keep an eye when the placenta is out

Good luck!

NativityJane · 03/12/2006 23:20

callieco - I am 8 days overdue so yes, very soon - I hope!! LOL

Good luck with yours

TEEstheCEEsontobejolly · 03/12/2006 23:23

Never crossed my mind to think about the cat and my midwife never ever bought it up.

monkeymonkeymoomoo · 04/12/2006 09:24

I had a homebirth in a pool and I've got two cats and two dogs, MW wasn't concerned about either think she just assumed we'd sort it out. Dogs went to my folks at the start of labour and we shut the cats in the utility room, but to be honest even with the door open the just ignored us! Might be worth ensuring that there is somewhere you can put them so they can get outside or to a litter tray just for your own piece of mind.

Original poster

callieco · 04/12/2006 18:30

Londonlou, that cat falling in the water is so funny. That's actually a really helpful website, thanks for the link.

NativityJane, hope the baby decides to make an appearance soon!

Hattie5 - now that's something I hadn't considered, but knowing what a bandit raider our cat is, I will remember to warn the MW to keep her eye on where it goes, at least until she's checked it thoroughly!

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