Toxoplasmosis - did anyone ask to be tested?

[Gangle]

I'm nearly 26 weeks and have been worried about toxoplasmosis for ages because we have a cat who, despite my best efforts, I have pretty close contact with. We recently moved house and he has been unsettled and, as a result, has walked on the kitchen surfaces more than a few times, plus sleeps on our bed. I have also had to clean the litter tray on a few occasions as DH was away although wore marigolds and took great care to not touch anything. Despite endless washing and bleaching, I am still worried about toxo. Asked midwife about it at 12 weeks and she said that there was little point in testing as a test cannot distinguish between a current and previous infection. Did anyone go on to have the test? Not sure what, if anything, we could do now anyway. Presumbaly any damage caused by it wouldn't show up on a scan? I am hoping that I'm immune anyway as I grew up with cats but still can't stop worrying!

I'm also interested in this as I also have cats. Have also been told though that I'm probably immune as I grew up around cats - so I hope that's right.

I asked to be tested because I was certain that I would have already had it as I have owned cats for over 10 years and changed litter trays and done gardening and eated cured meats..

However after the test we found that I had not had immunity (ie not been in contact with it) and we were right for me to continue to be cautious during the pregnancy.

If we have another baby I will ask for the test to be done again at the beginning of the pregnancy so I will know.

I asked to be tested because we'd just had new kittens and I was a bit concerned. The test came back positive which petrified me but it turned out to be an old infection and I had anti-bodies for it - just read what your midwife said - my hospital seemed to be able to distinguish between old and new infections so I would check that assertion.

Apparently - many women are immune - particularly if they had cats as children. Apparently if you had the infection before becoming pregnant you generally can't pass it onto your baby.

I've got 2 cats now and grew up with cats too, but still had a toxo test which came back negative. I'm reasonably careful to wash veggies, eat well-cooked meat and wash hands before eating, and that seems to be enough to prevent infection. Keep stroking the cats! I think it is very relaxing and therapeutic and wouldn't want to miss out on having a warm cat on a cold evening. Also have a theory that a purring cat on my lap is quite nice for the baby to listen to!

I was tested during my first pregnancy and didn't have immunity (this was in France where I believe the test is routine), so I had monthly blood tests to check for infection. In one way this was reassuring, but it was also quite stressful having something else to worry about. And the results could be quite tricky to read. I was really careful to wash fruit & veg, cook all meat thoroughly and avoid the cats' tray.

This time (in UK) my midwife advised that most infections come from undercooked meat rather than cats - and you only really get it from ingesting cat poo (yeuch!) rather than touching, stroking or other contact - just remember to wash your hands. No problem with cats on the bed.

Midwife also advised that it's difficult to treat if an infection is detected and that many people have no symptoms at all, so unless you have regular blood tests.

I like the theory about purring cats and the baby - my cat likes the bump, but I think that's because it's so warm!

Toxo screening was an automatic part of my bloodwork when I had my initial blood tests done at 8 weeks - I have not had toxoplasmosis despite eating some very strange things in equally strange places - so, as with my last pregnancy, I am being very careful and only eating well-done meat( yuck, yuck and double yuck again! - as I normally eat meat when it's still quivering on the plate - steak tartare is one of my favourites!)
I am sure you could get tested now if you asked for it, if nothing else than to put your mind at rest!

If I get tested now what will it tell me? If it's positive how will I know if it's a current infection or antibodies from a prevous infection? Who should I ask to be tested? My GP said ask at the hospital but my next appointment isn't until 30 weeks and by then, or even now, isn't it too late to to anything about it?

I personally didn't bother....I could have been exposed to this and I slapped cheek in early pregnancy but after loads of discussions with my MW and doctor decided not to get tested.

The reasons behind this was because they couldn't tell me if the infection was new or old had I tested positive and testing negative would only worry me more. I'm naturally careful around the cats and what I eat and taking these precautions should be enough to keep you from catching it. even if it is caught the risk to the baby is fairly slim and if the baby DOES catch it....nothing can be done and what can be done will be picked up at the scans. I have therefore asked for an additional scan at 30 weeks to check babies growth (mainly cause of slapped cheek) and will go from there.

thanks Horseshoe. I was thinking of getting a 3D scan so would hope they might pick it up there but other than that there seems little point in getting tested as I would continue to do as I am doing whatever the result. What is slapped cheek?

Slapped cheek is a common illness most kids get. The illness is little more than a cold in kids but is characterised by red cheeks that result in a slapped look. Sometimes a rash appears on the rest of the body. Mine just got it on arms and legs and the red face. They dont bother testing for it for the same reason as Toxoplasmosis. The risk is if you catch it prior to 20weeks pregnancy.