going to the zoo/safari while pregnant? good idea/bad idea?

[UmmFulaan]

hiya

so is it safe to go? ( zoo/safari)
thoughts/suggestions/tips/advice

[micegg]

Dont see why not. Its not as though you will be touching the animals. I took DD to a petting zoo recently and just made sure I didnt touch any animals.

[nickytwotimes]

oh, it's fine. Just wash your hands and take the wee bottles of alcohol rub. Don't ride on the camels. Or try to feed the lions..

[MrsMacaroon]

wind-up methinks

[micegg]

Not very imaginitive wind up.

[TotalChaos]

I really don't think this is a wind-up, this poster is a first time mum who is having quite a stressful pg following 20 week scan, so please be kind in you responses.

Absolutely no problem whatsoever. Obv if you stroke or feed any animals then wash hands before you eat/prepare food.

[NAB3wishesfor2008]

I went to Port Lymph when I was 4 months pregnant with DS1. Had a great time.

[Mitchell81]

No its fine, just wash your hands afterwards. I think the worry is about touching lambs and baby animals. Enjoy

[nappyaddict]

i'dnever have considered it as a problem to be honest. would wash my hands after whether i was pregnant or not.

[Nemoandthefishes]

you will be fine just if you come into contact with animals thorougly wash hands after.

[UmmFulaan]

thanks total...

actually it isnt a wind up!

op sapper queen of mn? i have no idea what that means

[littleducks]

i was thinking of going just a second ago! I think you are supposed to keep away from sheep (or pregnant ewes?) and possibly reptiles but am sure you will be fine and have a good time.'

[Ilovenutella]

sheep
pregnant ewes
reptiles

oh come on.........?!!!!!! WTF?!

[littleducks]

Actually ilovenutella, i find that quite insulting!

I have always been asked at my booking in appointement if i am in contact with sheep but as i havent been i have never found out the exact reasoning, the info is here if you are interested.

From what i can see the likelihood is really small but it is something i would want to be aware of if i was pregnant so i could make an informed choice.

I agree that it is healthy to have a relaxed approach to pregnancy but after having mcs which logically were 'just one of those things,' i know when you going through it you search for reasons and blame yourself for doing things that probably had no influence whatsoever. So perhaps it would be kinder to express your opinions less harshly?

[PutThatInYourPipeandSmokeIt]

Yep the sheep thing is real - there are some diseases than can be transferred from sheep to human so to be on the safe side, the recommendation is for pregnant women not to touch them. Other than that (and cat litter), it is fine to touch the animals and just wash your hands aferwards as you would do anyway (unless you're a dirty skunk like me who revels in being completely covered in the outdoors and forgets)

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

Yep, keep away from lambing sheep.

[littleducks]

And it is pet reptiles that were highlighted as a salmonella risk, not a great link but basic info http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content4/iguana.fda.html here.

As a said, choose to do what you will with this info but it isnt something i made up to get hysterical about merely facts highlighted to me when i was pg by health professionals.

[disneystar]

i have just read this thread and it was probably the most hurtful comments one i have seen on here the lady in the beginnining is a first timer and they need to ask questions regardlesly how silly they seem to other ppl they are real questions to them.
ummfulaan dont be put of please i reckon this is the most fantastic place ever to get advise from and a very supportive network on mums and mums to be.
congrats on the pregnancy and have fun and enjoy it

[sophiewd]

Lambing sheep are not to be gone near as they carry an abortion virus

[sophiewd]

Which I am finding really difficult with 1400 of them outside my kitchen window

[Ilovenutella]

Gosh - am so sorry I really didn't know about this and I genuinely thought you were pulling my leg...... have got my tail between my legs and really mean it...... sorry.....