Going to a farm whilst pregnant

[Bethandfreddie]

Hello all,

So this is a bit of a reassurance post for me but I'm hoping someone who understands this a little more sees this and can help!

I have OCD and was getting a lot better - until I got pregnant again. With hormones being all over the place, I'm paranoid about germs and it impacting my baby.

Today me and my family went to a local petting farm and we were told whilst there to not touch the lambs when pregnant, which I didn't but I keep thinking about other people who have touched the lambs then touched something that my partner or son may then touch and then before washing their hands they touch their head or something, then I touch their head and so on. I know I'm spiralling, and it may seem absolutely daft to some but to me its just how my brain in wired.

I was getting therapy before pregnant but they finished right about as I got pregnant again.

Please be kind with replies, I'm sensitive right now.

Go back to therapy. You need support.

I will be

You know you are overreacting, so to reassure you, plenty of women across the country work in farms and are fine. It's good you are seeking support and can recognise when you are spiralling, that means you can do something about it. Good luck with your pregnancy.

I've been to several petting farms with my two toddlers when pregnant. Everyone is fine. Just make sure everyone washes their hands after touching the animals and all will be well. It's a highly cautious approach to warn pregnant women about the (very small) risks.

I believe the risk comes from an infection the ewe can carry via amniotic fluid so you would have to actually help deliver a lamb for it to be a problem..my parents run a farm and I'm 37 weeks pregnant I've been around and touched the lambs once they are a few days old and in the field with no issues..I just didn't get involved with the actual lambing process but that was more a precaution I think the risks are still pretty low.

I went to farms quite a few times in both pregnancies. Washed my hands frequently and didn't touch/feed any animals that th signs warned me not to. Was fine.

A family member is a neonatal consultant, is pregnant and held her child’s birthday party at a farm like this last month. She’s there every month anyway as he adores farms. She’s VERY hyper about health, so if she’s ok with it, it must be fine.