Contact with farm animals during pregnancy

[padi]

I'm 19 weeks pregnant and need to visit a sheep farm for work. I know there's a risk during lambing but does anyone know what the risk is at other times if I'm not actually coming into direct contact with the sheep?

Ta!

I went to a petting farm years ago when quite pregnant in lambing season. Was told to go and wash my hands when the keeper saw the lambs licking my fingers, but they said it was fine for me to be in the stable area.

Just be careful about hygiene and you'll be fine. I believe the danger is only when you come in contact directly with or in contact with clothing etc which has been in contact with placenta, aborted lambs, pregnant ewes... that kind of thing.

Just tell the farmer/ whomever is in charge that you're pregnant and they'll take precautions I'm sure.

i live on a farm and have 2dds and never had any problem but was advised to stay away from the ewes when they were lambing {woops they're my sheep} as long as you wash your hands you should be ok, and if your worried put all your clothes in wash etc when you get back.

Thanks very much. Most of the visit will be in the house so I won't have much contact with the animals anyway. It's just the official advice I was given of "avoid at all costs" isn't very helpful.

E. Coli in pregnancy would be bad, presumably toxoplasmosis is a hazard, too, if cats are about.

Just observe good, handwashing in hot water, I imagine!

"avoid at all costs" -- what's a farming woman supposed to do?!

Don't kiss the sheep.

I have been to a petting farm twice while PG, when lambing season there was a sign advising pregnant women no to touch the emes or newborn lambs. However second visit lambs were much older and I actually had a go at bottle feeding (as DD was'nt strong enough with their vigerous sucking). As long as you wash your hands after touching, as with any animal you should be fine. I always take a bottle of anti-bac handgel when we go.

emes???? preghead ! Ewes