Toxoplasmosis blood test?

[greenpenguin]

Hi all,

I'm 12 weeks pregnant and had my 1st midwife appointment today. I'm quite worried about my risk of passing on toxoplasmosis to the baby because our garden is literally covered in cat poo (really annoying!), and also I have an allotment where there is plenty too I've been trying to be really careful but can't help worrying...

The midwife was really nice but said I would need to ask my GP for a test for this. Problem is I find my GP quite unapproachable, probably just me being over sensitive but I always feel she thinks I'm wasting her time (I'm actually really careful to only go when I need to) and I'm worried she'll just be dismissive and not let me have the test.

Just wondering if anyone has experience with being tested for toxoplasmosis?

Any thoughts appreciated xx

[AJJ123]

If your rh negative (blood type) your immune I think.

That’s what i got told anyway. We had cat poo in our gravel in the last house - the cats used it like a litter tray.

Anyway - I still made my dh do it. Just incase xx

[jessyjessy572]

Hi I don’t think the blood type matters (sorry might be wrong here), I did mine privately oversees as well as I know getting anything extra in Uk on NHS is almost impossible. I haven’t checked how much and it would cost and if it is possible to do privately in UK but maybe check if this can be an option.

[Julesyp86]

I also dont think blood type makes a difference but again this could be wrong, I wouldn’t rely on the chance! If you are pottering in garden or allotment ALWAYS wear gloves and wash hands well after! Besides that you should be fine.

[Nin21996]

I’ve got three indoor cats, and I just don’t change their litter, my husband does it for me, I have never been offered a test for toxoplasmosis, as they said I’d probably already have had it before getting pregnant (I’ve had cats all my life) just avoid touching the cat poo, or wear gloves and wash your hands if you’ve got to come into contact with it.

[greenpenguin]

Thanks for your replies everyone. Think I'll carry on trying to be careful and maybe work up the courage to speak to my GP if I'm still feeling worried xx

[KarlaRP]

Normally you can be tested to see if you are imumed to it. If your not then they test you each month to make sure you don't have it. At least that's how it works where I come from. I know this is an old thread but answering now in case anyone else is looking for a similar answer

[disneylander]

I know this string is from some years ago, but I have a relevant comment. I grew up around lots of animals and when pregnant 30 years ago ended up with a doc who was interested in toxo and he tested me, I was positive (I,m O Rh Neg, that didn't seem relevant). It doesn't seem to have done anything - except that I now have CFS (but have had many viral infections over the years) and my son, while not exactly "ill", has Hypermobility Syndrome etc etc. So, my point is, I don't think its relevant, but it might just be yet another "infection" that will ultimately contribute to ill health, if ill health rears its ugly head.