I am 14 weeks preganant and have a pet cat, can it be risky for my baby or me? Also how do I care post delivering the baby..

The reason why pregnant ladies are told to avoid getting in contact with cats is because of the risk of contracting Toxoplasmosis, as highlighted by the other ladies. Toxoplasmosis is an infection that can cause birth defects. One may get infected through: - handling soil or cat litter that contains cat feces infected with the parasite - eating undercooked meat from animals infected with the parasite - from uncooked foods that have come in contact with contaminated meat - consuming fruits and vegetables that may have contact with contaminated soil or water which are not cooked, washed, or peeled Therefore, just be more careful. Wear gloves if possible and promptly wash your hands thoroughly before handling any food. For more information on toxoplasmosis and pregnancy, you can refer to this website: http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/gen_info/pregnant.html