Animal contact in pregnancy

[LullyMummaOfOne]

Hi All,

Me & my sister are hoping to take my 2.5yr old son to a friendly farm on Sunday. This farm allows you to feed the animals and have contact with them if you wish. I think this would be great for my son as he loves animals and is always asking about them.

My question is... my sister is 18 weeks pregnant and a friend of mind told me she will not be able to go due to the bacteria that some animals carry.
Has anyone else heard of this and if so can you please shed some light as this is somthing new to me.

[mumfor1standmaybe2ndtime]

Just the sheeps and lambs to avoid. Farms do have very good wash stations, so don't worry!

[bethoo]

i think it is becaue sheep carry ticks which are bad. just make sure she htakes some antiseptic wipes after touching the animals esp if she is going to eat after. and i think they carry toxy which is foudn in faeces.
as long as stick to basic hygiene she should be ok.

[ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight]

don't touch any poo

[mumfor1standmaybe2ndtime]

www.countrydoctor.co.uk/education/Education%20-%20Pregant%20women%20and%20lambing.htm

Link about lambs in pregnancy. I went to a barn with ds last week, I am also 18weeks pg.

[mumfor1standmaybe2ndtime]

There will be places to wash your hands!

[ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight]

To avoid the possible risk of infection, pregnant women are advised that they should:

• not help to lamb or milk ewes;

• avoid contact with aborted or new-born lambs or with the afterbirth;

• avoid handling clothing, boots etc which have come into contact with ewes or lambs.

Think she'll be ok then!

[PinkTulips]

sheep gving birth and cat poo are the only things more dangerous in pregnancy than they are to the general public.

the likliness of her being in contact with either of those at a petting farm is somewhat minimal.

people do so love to scare monger to pregnant women don't they imagine telling someone they can't go to a farm...... how on earth would farmers wives get through pregnancy?!

[cravingchocolate]

The only risk for a pregnant woman on a farm is during lambing, which happens earlier in the year March/April/May. Then there are the obvious hygiene rules to follow.

I am married to a farmer and 24 weeks pregnant with dc3 and have not had to move out during any of my pregnancies!

[LullyMummaOfOne]

This is all very reasuring, thank you very much for all your advice. I will let my sister know and make sure we have some antibacterial hand wash/wipes. Lets hope the weather turns out nice