TTC, Cat & Stress

[shinay]

So we are planning to TTC this month and last week my husband and I adopted a cat. His cat passed away about 2 years ago so he really missed having a pet at home. So after adopting the cat, I saw people talking about women getting toxoplasmosis from the cat which could affect pregnancy later. I do not want to return our cat to the shelter since he is so adorable and we want him to have a forever home. My husband changes litter box for the cat. But I am not sure if I could contract this parasite if I pet or get scratched by him? Does any of you have cats and concern about this?

Also, we have been under lots of stress of remodeling and renting out our house while getting ready to move to another house. Would this affect swaying blue? Would this affect his sperm quality? (My DH does not want to take vitamins and supplements. He said they are too big for him to swallow :rolleyes: )

[cosmosis]

Toxoplasmosis can only be passed through direct contact with fecal matter. I had 3 cats with my previous pregnancy and did most of the little work myself. I just dumped the whole box rather than scooping to minimize contact. If your Dh is taking care of the litter, there should be no issues.

[MiaMelb]

Agreed we have a cat and haven't altered my behaviour around that cat at all while pregnant except getting DP to change the litter box. You also need to be a little careful if you like gardening as yours or cats in the area may be going in the garden. I was also tested during my first pregnancy and was determined I couldn't catch toxoplasmosis but of course I didn't tell DP that.

[shinay]

Thanks cosmosis and MiaMelb. I am so relieved to hear from you two. I was calling the office to have a blood test just in case, but they said first available appointment is in June. I dont wanna wait for that long to get tested since we wanna ttc now.

[GirlieCat]

I have LOTS of cats and not once been concerned. Hubby changes litter boxes and I have no direct contact with their waste.

If you do outdoor yard work, wear gloves because usually that is a disease only outdoor cats get and you never know what stray neighborhood cats are using your yard as their litter box.

I do believe over stressing can sway blue but just my personal opinion watching others. Try your best to have a relaxed sway and not be too controlling of things. Good luck.

[GirlieCat]

Ops just realized Mia already warned of gardening...we must think a like Mia!

[Lolabelle]

If DH is changing the litter, then I wouldn't worry one bit! I have 2 indoor cats & I actually changed their litter myself using gloves for both pregnancies. It's highly unlikely if they are indoor cats so try not to stress :)


My Ovulation Chart (https://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/69fc3a)

[shinay]

I think for people who have cats for a while, the risk is minimal. Since we only have him for only almost a week and first time ttc, i am more worried about everything. Many people i know have gone thru miscarriages so i am trying my best to keep myself healthy for the baby to stick well. Thank you all for helping me feel better. We dont do much yard work now but i wear gloves whenever we do and wash my hands well afterwards.

I am trying not to stress too much else it might affect O timing and mess up my whole schedule hahaha. OMG i am super excited and nervous. We would be thrill to get pregnant first month ttc.

[atomic sagebrush]

As long as your husband changes the litter box it is fine!!

More people get toxoplasmosis from eating undercooked meat and veg that isn't properly washed than from cats anyway.

Weirdly, toxoplasmosis = more boys anyway. Now I am NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT x 1 million billion times over suggesting trying to get toxoplasmosis for swaying blue!! Seriously, no one do this as it can cause serious harm to an unborn baby if you have the active infection whilst pregnant. BUT it is one of those strange quirky things that we've uncovered in the course of our research.

Re the stress, that sounds like the kind of stress that only sways blue - having to worry about a lot of details, making big decisions, stuff like that. No worries there either.

Could he take a gummy?

[shinay]

Thanks Atomic. Good to know. But yeah i wouldnt want to risk the pregnancy or harm the baby.

That is a great idea. What type of gummy would you recommend? Multivitamins?

[Burakoam]

Yes shinay, a gummy multivitamin :)

[atomic sagebrush]

Thanks Atomic. Good to know. But yeah i wouldnt want to risk the pregnancy or harm the baby.

That is a great idea. What type of gummy would you recommend? Multivitamins?

Yes just the gummy multivitamins! There are lots of diff. kinds!

[shinay]

Yes just the gummy multivitamins! There are lots of diff. kinds!


Is there a brand that you would recommend?

[atomic sagebrush]

I don't recommend brands because they vary too much from region to region and the manufacturers are always tinkering with the formulas and it would be a full time job for me to keep up to speed on them all.

Any brand name that you recognize and is easily available for you is great. You should avoid the ones that have megadoses of stuff (more is not always better!) other than Vit. D which is fine to have up to 1000 IU of (250%) and avoid the ones with herbal components as we really don't know how any of those things sway.