Very physical job when pregnant (gardener)

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Anyone a full time gardener or have a physical job? I'm a self employed gardener, running a very busy business, using heavy machines and I've just found out I'm pregnant, around 4 weeks.

The last month has been insane, due to it being lawn care time, v v v physical work, plus driveway cleans and big tidies. The next few weeks I have an insane amount of jobs booked in and I'm already so so exhausted.

Yesterday I decided to move some jobs to Saturday as I don't work weekends, but need to spread the load as I'm so exhausted.

I wear gloves but soil always gets in, so worried about toxoplasmosis too.

I'm used to long days this time of year and always being tired, tho things calm down a bit in a month or 2. Obviously usually just push on, but I don't want to risk harmony my baby!!

I'm so fit and active in & out of work, so I'm very used to it, is there a risk? Am I ok carrying on as I am for work (droppings to 7/8hr rather than 10hr days) and resting more at the weekend? My friend suggested I take it easier just for the next few weeks

What week did you keep working full time until? I'm hoping I'll be ok until end October so 33 weeks, just mowing lawns & pruning at the end.

Any insight will be great

Thanks

You are probably at high risk of toxoplasmosis which comes from soil where cats have been. I love gardening but didn’t garden for most of my pregnancy because of the risks. I also had really bad joint pain and by about 20 weeks I could hardly walk, was incredibly tired because I couldn’t get comfortable to sleep, and couldn’t bend over because of the bump. DH used to joke that if he wanted to put stuff out of my reach he would just put it on the floor. I don’t think it’s realistic to do heavy manual labour until 33 weeks, sorry.

Is this your first? I don't think there's much / any risk to baby, but I think you'll be knackered! Could you take on some additional help for the next few weeks, so you're doing a bit less of the hard labour?

@EssentialHummus yes my first, I have someone who helps but ad hoc basis, I've been trying to find a permanent employee for a few weeks but not pushed it. I need one before maternity anyway, so I can take some time off and not see my business fall apart!

@MimiPigeon toxoplasmosis is actually low chance of getting it and it passing to the baby, and again if it does of it causing harm. However, there's also a high chance I've caught it already and am immune.

I deffo don't mean heavy labour at 30+ weeks just mowing and pruning, easy not v physical things

Could you request or even pay privately for a toxoplasmosis test? They are re available if you can afford it and it will tell you if you’ve had it before, which you may well have since you’re a gardener and once you’ve had it you’re immune. If it was me that would really put my mind at rest! As for the physical job, not sure but can you reduce your workload or outsource some of the hardest bits x

@Peaplant20 yeah, I'm deffo requesting the test from the doc. Only found out was pregnant on Weds and tried to ring doc yesterday but no answer.

I've got several tonne of top dressing lawn soil to move in a couple weeks, but my helper is doing that, need to get her to do something I'd usually do next week with 100kg machine and give her some excuse!! I've just turned down a huge drive cleaning job I quoted on last week. Thats crazy physical and strong chemicals too. Shame I've just put 2 adverts out and the phone isn't stopping ringing, typical lol

I’m also self employed and work with animals. There is a fair amount of physical lifting etc involved.
I also have the toxo risk due to emptying cat litter trays, I wear gloves and wash my hand immediately after obviously - I asked to be tested for it when I had my booking in appointment with the midwife, first pregnancy I was negative but by second pregnancy I must have picked it up at some point, thankfully before I was pregnant.
I’ve just had to rest when I can and it’s been ok. I find trying to lift things comfortably with a bump very tricky though, you’re centre of gravity is so off and you’re more prone to pulling muscles etc.
I worked until the day before I gave birth first pregnancy and I’m still working now and 39wks with my second.

I used to have a volunteer job at a wildlife hospital and my GP was happy to do a toxoplasmosis antibody test before I TTC. To my surprise I'd never had it (and I'd also had a lot of very rare steaks!). You could request the test as if it shows you are immune it will make you feel better. Otherwise just keep wearing gloves and wash your hands before you eat or drink anything and don't touch your face. As for the physical labour I can't imagine it does any harm at this stage but you will be exhausted in the first trimester. I found it difficult to bend and stretch in my third trimester.

@HAB86 that's useful thanks & @AegonT I don't generally have the option of washing my hands, I use hand sanitizer tho, but it doesn't get the soil out from under my nails.

I know I won't be able to get 100kg+ machines in and out of van multiply times a daylater on, or push up and down lawns aerating, but a couple weeks left of spring lawn care and by the autumn one someone will have to do that for me. I'm hoping 35kg mowers will be fine when I have a big bump, just have to play it by ear! I'm hoping to hide pregnancy from customers for as long as I can!