Tell me honestly, have I got issues...?

[Gagagalaxy]

DH is wonderful; he really looks after me, makes me food, tidies up etc etc. Last Thursday he did some gardening, I think he mainly mowed the lawn and did a bit of weeding and I know some of the time he didn't where gloves.

Since then I haven't eaten any food he's prepared (sandwiches etc) because I'm worried about if some toxoplasmosis got on it. And I've just made myself a cheese sandwich and I'm paranoid that the cheese will have traces of it because he's used it lots. Am I perfectly normal to worry about this or have I got issues?

You are joking?

Yes, but it is fairly common to develop health anxieties during pregnancy. If you feel you need support mention it to your midwife as you don't want to get too stressed in pregnancy.

Thanks for your sensible reply Bonnie. It's horrible and I'm hating feeling like this. I would definitely say I have health anxiety issues and my hands have become red raw from all the washing of them I do throughout the day.

I take it a normal person wouldn't be bothered by this?

Erm, my cat walks all over the kitchen work tops, i just use spray disinfectant and carry on

As long as he's washed his hands between gardening and cooking i should bloody hope so! there's no risk at all!

Er...it was last week!! Does DH not wash?!

As long as your Dh washes properly and you spray surfaces change wash cloths etc you will be fine, have a chat with your midwife!

It's not normal to be that anxious over what is essentially no risk.

Gagagalaxy - you mentioned washing your hands alot and you obviously are anxious about germs at the moment. I would check with the GP to see if you have OCD which can be triggered by pregnancy and is a very common form of OCD. The GP will be able to help you. Hope you feel less anxious soon.

To be perfectly honest it sounds like you could do with seeing a therapist to address your Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and intrusive thoughts. It isn't normal, even if you weren't pregnant.

Yes of course he washes. If he got toxo (or whatever the actual parasite was called) on the cheese on Thursday, would it survive on there or die?

Also does anyone know anywhere where you can get private tests for toxo immunity in the midlands? I think this is a major source of my anxiety and would be good to find out that I was immune

I suspect I am being OCD - I've always been very laid back bio it must be pregnancy / hormones that have brought it on. And I will waste hours panicking about and googling things. It's normally food related

How many weeks are you? It is probably too late now for you to be tested for toxoplasmosis. The only reassuring result would be a negative one as a positive result cannot distinguish between immunity or the possibility that you contracted it since becoming pregnant. I have a private obstetrician and he would normally test for this at the start of the pregnancy and then do follow ups in each trimester, but as I was abroad at the start of my pregnancy (and hence didn't have the first test) he is refusing to do any of the late stage ones.

Really, the risk of getting toxoplasmosis is so incredibly small, and especially in the way you are describing. As previous posters have said, I would urge you to speak to your GP or midwife about your anxieties as it sounds like they are taking too strong a hold.

I can totally empathise as I have anxiety issues myself (not health related), and one of my close friends has the type of thoughts you describe. We have both sought help and it really makes a difference. Of everything I tried, I found hypnotherapy to be especially helpful.

Good luck x

surely if you go for toxo screening (if there even is such a thing) then you're just feeding your anxiety. Really, good hand hygiene is all you need. I'm assuming he washed his hands before handling the cheese?

Thanks sweatpea. I'm 20 weeks. I see your point about the testing

Yes, too late then for the test x x x

Just wanted to say hope you get some support with this from your GP or midwife, or somebody they refer you too. If you are suffering with OCD there is help available and it's not a joke nor something anyone should be surprised at or judge. Wishing you luck.

I just wanted to let you know you're not alone in this - I am 20 weeks and also have irrational fears about my food and toxoplasmosis. I'm afraid I don't have any great advice but I would just say try to be kind to yourself - you are having these fears because you want to keep your baby safe, you just need some help to develop a more balanced approach. If you find a magic cure, let me know!

Wishing you all the best.

Thanks for all the kind messages ladies. I just desperately hope it will be born healthily. I've had my scan and it's fine. I seem to be worse when I've had confirmation all is fine recently then I think of things I've done since then which may have cause harm. oh it's horrid

From one who has struggled with anxiety (not ocd, though) if you allay your fears over toxo, you will find something new to worry about. The toxo is symptomatic of your desire to protect your baby, it really sounds like all you need a little help balancing that with everything else.

Step away from google, have a chat with your gp and/or midwife, and find a pregnancy yoga class - excellent relaxation techniques plus lots of other pregnant people to compare experiences with :)

PS I'm 16+3 and, bizarrely, completely the opposite - all my anxieties have evaporated. Pregnancy hormones are WEIRD!!!

Just also wanted to add that I have OCD and anxiety and there is alot of help out there for the condition. I am absolutely positive that you and your baby will be fine it is your anxiety talking. CBT may also really help.

gagaGalaxy It's normal to be nervous about your baby's wellbeing. When I was pg all I wanted was to have my baby in my arms... those 9 months are soooo long. The lack of control was killing me, but getting stressed isn't good for you, and doens't make for exactly treasured memories of your pregnancy.

Thanks again for the replies. I will def talk to my GP because it's exhausting me all this worrying.

So none of you ladies would be worried about this? It's more of a me being anxious issue?

Only your GP could truly answer that, but from what you've posted it sounds like you're blowing small risks out of proportion. As i said, pregnancy hormones are seriously weird!

It wouldnt' have worried me, no. And I have even changed a cat litter tray while pg

I did wear Marigolds and washed thoroughly afterwards.