The most important infection to consider is toxoplasmosis. This is a parasitic disease passed on by cats, more rarely sheep and pigs. The commonest route of transmission is, however, through eating undercooked pork. Only about 20% of women in the UK are immune to toxoplasmosis whereas in France the figure is much higher, around 80%. If you are in close contact with cats and develop a feverish illness with swollen glands (like glandular fever) in pregnancy then you should see your GP or a doctor at the hospital. A blood test would suggest whether you are immune to it. If you have had the disease while pregnant, then you may need antibiotic treatment for the baby''s benefit. This is because toxoplasma can cross the placenta and can cause poor growth, blindness, epilepsy and learning difficulties in babies that are affected. However most babies exposed to the disease seem to escape any severe consequences.- Is it safe to have my hair highlighted or permed when pregnant?
- What can I do to alleviate backache?
- I suffer from piles. What can I do?
- What can I do to prevent fainting?
- How can I prevent painful leg cramps?
- Is it still OK to use my normal deodorants, perfumes and bath oils/shower gels?
- What sort of clothes do I need to wear?
- Is it safe to use sun beds when pregnant?
- Must I wear sensible shoes now I am pregnant?
- My skin seems very spotty now I''m pregnant. Is it safe to use cleansers, and to continue to wear makeup?
- Is it necessary to wear ''maternity clothes''?
- How safe are the tablets that my Doctor gave me for acne now that I''m pregnant? Can I continue taking them?
- Can some creams remove stretch marks?
- Should I wear a seat belt when I''m in a car?
- Is it still OK to use my normal deodorants, perfumes and bath oils/shower gels?
- Is it still safe for me to lift my 3 year old now that I am pregnant?
- Is there anything I can do at work to make me less tired?
- My gums seem to bleed if I eat anything hard, or after I brush my teeth, what''s wrong?
- I seem to be forever tripping and I am worried that one of these days I''ll fall tummy first and really hurt the baby. Is it likely?
- My skin seems very spotty now I''m pregnant. Is it safe to use cleansers, and to continue to wear make-up?
- Why is cat urine/litter hazardous to a pregnant mother? Why is it recommended to stay clear of the cat box? Should this be done before pregnancy or afterwards?
- I''m eight months pregnant and my doctor has prescribed anti-sickness tablets, and pain killers containing paracetamol and codeine. Are they safe?
- I am 22 weeks pregnant. My husband and I still have sex but one day he used regular body lotion to help because I was too dry. Is the lotion damaging to the baby?
- Is it safe in the first trimester to have microdermabrasion on my face?
- I am 13 weeks pregnant and stopped smoking but becauseI''m under a lot of stress, I started smoking again. Can this affect my baby?
- Is it necessary to get rid of my cat when I get pregnant for my own and my unborn baby''s safety?
- Can a tooth be extracted during pregnancy?
- I'm just 9 weeks and just recently found out I was pregnant, but smoked for the first month after I got pregnant. I've stopped smoking now-but will my baby be harmed?
- I use hair spray in my hair every morning. Can hair spray cause birth defects?
- Is it safe to wear adhesive bras during pregnancy, so that nipples do not protrude in summer shirts?
- My job as a photogropher requires a lot of standing for long periods of time. My feet get really swollen and it sometimes even hurts to walk. I am almost 6 months pregnant, should I quit my job?
- Is it O.K. for me to douche while pregnant?
- Is it safe to take baths instead of showers during pregnancy?
- Can a pregnant women living with her mother who has cancer get infected or her child affected by the cancer?
- When you are pregnant can you wear acrylic nails?
- Is working in front of a computer monitor/notebook for a long period harmful to the baby?
- Is it safe to wax my bikini line when I am pregnant?
- I have heard that changing the cat littler is dangerous because of something toxic to unborn babies in the cat's urine. What is this?
- What is the best cream or ointment for itchy stretch marks on my stomach?
- Is it safe to dye your hair when you are 5 months pregnant?
- Can I take ibuprofen during pregnancy?
- Can I use fake nails when I am pregnant?
- What is the best way for me to prevent myself from getting bad stretchmarks during my pregnancy?
- Can you take paracetamol if you are pregnant?
- I have been a marathon runner for several years and now that I am pregnant I am scared to run because I do not want to hurt the baby. Is it OK to do other forms of exercise instead of running while I am pregnant?
- I was told that I am around 8 weeks in my pregnancy and am worried that my drinking and cocaine use can affect the baby, is that true?
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