toxoplasmosis - tested neg., then cared for cats-would there be ANY sign before birth if infected?

[Anonymous]

I tested negative to infection and to any prior exposure at the beginning of my pg. I cared for my indoor cats (of 4 years now) for several months during pg. I thought about getting a follow-up test, but decided I was being paranoid and skipped it. I'm getting really close to my due date now and I'm just wondering if there's any way I could have been infected by TP and my baby also infected, even though everything seems to be progressing normally. I assume that if my baby were suffering from a serious infection, even if I would have been asymptomatic, there would have been some indication that he was in distress by now. Anyone know anything about this? Could I be in for an awful surprise in the delivery room???

[Anonymous]

If they're just indoor cats, and you hadn't gotten infected caring for them before you were pregnant, then you are fine. One less thing to worry about.

[Anonymous]

No, you don't need to worry. My OB told me you were a lot more likely to get toxo from eating pork or gardening than from taking care of cats. He said the only way for a cat to get toxo was if it ate another animal (bird, squirrel) with toxo. Then, the cat is only actively infected for a few months, during which time you'd pretty much have to injest their poop to get it. You don't have to worry about indoor cats, and as long as you wash your hands after changing the litter box, indoor/outdoor cats aren't much of a threat either.