What's worse: cleaning cat box while pregnant, or letting it go for weeks while waiting for someone else?
I'm 4 months pregnant, live solo at the moment, and have two cats that share a litter box. I've been advised by my doctor's nurse, as well as family and friends to avoid cleaning it myself at all costs, due to risk of toxoplasmosis. Thing is, those people who care all live too far away to help- except for one local girlfriend who has offered to help. She was great about it at first, but now I can't get her to do it for anything. She avoids it like the plague! (even though I babysit for her occasionally in exchange for her help) It's been a couple weeks now since anyone has been willing to help me out, and the apartment smells like you wouldn't believe. What is more dangerous: Me changing the litter (the ammonia smell knocks me sick, plus the danger of illness and the warnings I've been given scare me) or letting the litter fester for weeks while waiting for someone to help me out (and my apartment smelling so horrible I almost can't take it)?
Pregnancy - 14 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
wear gloves, wear something covering your mouth and nose, and do it yourself. remember to wash your hands and gloves when you're done
2 :
a friend of mine had this problem too, and her doctor told her she could clean it so long as she wore thick gloves and a face mask (to avoid inhaling the dust in the liter and the ammonia). she was also told to wash her hands after with hot water and antibacterial soap, and she never had any problem.
3 :
Umm I would think not cleaning it would be unhealthier for you than just cleaning it.. your letting that nastyness linger in your apartment, just clean it your self! Cover your face with a rag and just do it! Or get rid of the cats, your having a baby, they shouldnt be around the baby anyway
4 :
Letting it go until your guy realizes what stinks 4 weeks later!
5 :
I was told by my doctor and I am high risk that you basically have to touch the poo... to get toxoplasmosis and that is of your cats actually have it... they get it from being outside. I have 3 cats and live alone... I use gloves and a mask to change the litter box because that is what my doctor said would be ok to do and he said there is no risk. Hope this helps and good luck!!!
6 :
As long as you wear gloves and change it daily you should be fine. Make sure your cats are indoors and don't have access to live animals like rats and small birds, as they can give the cats the disease. Don't let them eat raw meat either. Your are more likely to contact toxoplasomosis from eating undercooked meats then from getting it from your cats. Make sure your cats are up to date on their shots as well. If they were indoor/outdoor cats, keep them inside for the time being, so they won't be able to hunt small animals. Since the smell makes you sick, you could wear a face mask, but be sure to wear gloves! As the disease is passed through the cats feces. If you been around cats most of your life, chances are you have already contracted the disease and developed an immunity to it. here's a link to pretty much confirm what I just said: http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/complications/toxoplasmosis.aspx
7 :
Sounds like you are going to have to clean it yourself. Obviously she isn't that great of a friend if she knows what doing that can cause you. You are going to need to purchase some face masks and disposable cleaning gloves, I think you can purchase these in bulk packs. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. You might want to research this topic just in case I left something out. HTH! Good luck dear!
8 :
Wear a face mask...like in the hospital and gloves if you absolutely have to. throw the gloves away and use a new pair each time.
9 :
Have the same issue here. Just make sure to wear a mask & gloves and then wash your hands immediately after. Odds are as well that since these are your cats you have built an immunity to it, but be on the safe side and wear the gloves.
10 :
just protect yourself well before changing the litter...
11 :
The first response is correct. Wear gloves and a mask (surgical ones work great) and then make sure that you wash your arms and hands well.
12 :
You can wear gloves and like someone else said, a mask too, and clean it out...make sure you wash your hands and stuff well after...you just dont want to get it on your hands....and you don;t want to breath it in either....you need to get rid of it...so wear gloves...
13 :
Clean it out for now. Wear rubber cleaning gloves and be very careful well scooping it out as to not get anything on you. While still wearing the gloves take the bag of used litter out to the trash, then wash your hands very well with hot water. Maybe you could try to find a neighbor that could do it for you in exchange for a couple bucks or another service, or even as just a favor.
14 :
Please call a veterinarian, ( I believe that your cats actually have to have toxoplasmosis in order for you to get it from them,) I don't remember how the cats are supposed to come in contact with it though. breathing those fumes is worse for all of you and your cats will begin to use other parts of the house as their litter box and then trying to get them not to use those same places in the house is almost impossible. When I was pregnant with my daughter 19 years ago, the doctor tried the same scare tactic on me, told me to get rid of my cats. I also know someone who tragically parted with five cats because of the same thing. Use a particle mask and wash your hands well after. The cats are tracking the mess from the box, what you can't see, through the house any way. Have you vet check them for toxoplasmosis if you are worried. x0x0x0x Lisa P.S. I have seen disposable cat boxes at H.E.B and Wal-Mart also check the INTERNET for flush able cat boxes, they are about $300.00 and are not hard to install and are do it yourself. They have a dryer for the litter and the saniflush solution for the feces. are the things that will have to be replaced
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Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
What OB/GYN should I choose
What OB/GYN should I choose?
I am 6weeks 4day pregnant and having difficulty picking a Doctor. Both Places I have heard good things about. My first option is a independent solo doctor who has a very busy practice. The thing I am worried about is that he will be on vacation in July when I am due and the Doctor who will be on call I will not know him at all and that makes me very uncomfortable. The other option is a Clinic that have 5 delivering doctors and I have heard good things about all of them. The only thing I am worried about here is that the nurse told me they do not do an ultrasound until 20 weeks and do not measure Hcg levels unless they belive something is wrong because it is expensive. Shouldn't they always monitor HCG levels? I don't know if I feel comfortable waiting until 20 weeks, Are most doctors understanding and will listen to my concerns and do any early one? I live in a smaller town so the doctors don't really do consultaions. I am so confused! Any advice is helpful! I guess I am just afraid of making a wrong choice. I am thinking I would rather go to the clinic but I am worried about not having an ultrasound until 20 weeks. I just want to know everything is okay. Maybe they will be understanding and do any earlier one. That would really ease my mind to know that everything is okay. I just hate talking to receptionist and nurses! It's always a different story!
Women's Health - 1 Answers
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1 :
I wouldn't choose either place. I would go somewhere where my concerns were their concerns. It sounds like you are a first time mom, so you're going to need a doctor that understands this. The independent doctor is too busy for you. Especially if he is going to be on vaca when you are going to deliver, I wouldn't choose him. He needs to be there all the way, for your comfort sake. The clinic sounds awful. The nurse that you spoke with doesn't care about you due to what she told you about scans being too expensive. It shouldn't matter how expensive something is, as long as you and your baby are healthy and on schedule. This cutting costs trick wouldn't work in my book. I would definitely look elsewhere. Good luck!!]
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I am 6weeks 4day pregnant and having difficulty picking a Doctor. Both Places I have heard good things about. My first option is a independent solo doctor who has a very busy practice. The thing I am worried about is that he will be on vacation in July when I am due and the Doctor who will be on call I will not know him at all and that makes me very uncomfortable. The other option is a Clinic that have 5 delivering doctors and I have heard good things about all of them. The only thing I am worried about here is that the nurse told me they do not do an ultrasound until 20 weeks and do not measure Hcg levels unless they belive something is wrong because it is expensive. Shouldn't they always monitor HCG levels? I don't know if I feel comfortable waiting until 20 weeks, Are most doctors understanding and will listen to my concerns and do any early one? I live in a smaller town so the doctors don't really do consultaions. I am so confused! Any advice is helpful! I guess I am just afraid of making a wrong choice. I am thinking I would rather go to the clinic but I am worried about not having an ultrasound until 20 weeks. I just want to know everything is okay. Maybe they will be understanding and do any earlier one. That would really ease my mind to know that everything is okay. I just hate talking to receptionist and nurses! It's always a different story!
Women's Health - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I wouldn't choose either place. I would go somewhere where my concerns were their concerns. It sounds like you are a first time mom, so you're going to need a doctor that understands this. The independent doctor is too busy for you. Especially if he is going to be on vaca when you are going to deliver, I wouldn't choose him. He needs to be there all the way, for your comfort sake. The clinic sounds awful. The nurse that you spoke with doesn't care about you due to what she told you about scans being too expensive. It shouldn't matter how expensive something is, as long as you and your baby are healthy and on schedule. This cutting costs trick wouldn't work in my book. I would definitely look elsewhere. Good luck!!]
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Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Do I have a chance at getting into Brown, Stanford, Rice, Wake Forest, Berkeley, or Princeton
Do I have a chance at getting into Brown, Stanford, Rice, Wake Forest, Berkeley, or Princeton?
-4.47 weighted gpa (3.82 unweighted) -AP human geography, spanish language, spanish literature, psychology, calculus AB, biology, and chemistry (the rest honors or pre-ap) -4 years of marching band (3 years as captain of the front ensemble) -3 years of Student Council -4 years of HOSA -NHS -7 years of piano lessons -4 years of percussion lessons (drumset, marimba, snare drum, etc) -Duke TIP state recognition in 7th grade -4 "1st" Division ratings at Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest -I shadowed an oncologist for a week the summer after my sophomore year -I took a class called Basic Medical Practice, in which we became licensed nurse's aides in the fall and did rotations at the hospital in the spring --I have not taken the SAT/ACT yet, but I am leaning towards the ACT just from taking various practice tests
Higher Education (University +) - 6 Answers
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1 :
Yes, and good for you for all of your accomplishments! Maintain that in college. Hurry and take the ACT or SAT though.
2 :
Create an account on collegeprowler.com It has legit methodology behind its Chances calculator, it is amazingly helpful.
3 :
You should volunteer even more if possible. And take your ACT and SAT!! Those should have been done by the middle of junior year, so if you get a bad score you'd have more time to make it up.
4 :
Well on paper you really need stand out with the high scores you have gotten in school. I would like to see some AP scores you have received thus far and what type of high school you attend (AP Bio at one school can look totally different from it at a lesser school). Wake is your best shot because they don't require ACT or SAT scores. I know a couple of people who have gotten into Berkeley, Rice, and Wake Forest and you sound about a good essay and letters of rec from being right there with them. As for Stanford and the Ivies you obviously have a much different battle. I only know one kid to get into Stanford and he gave me some really good advice. There are some qualities that they check for at the ultra prestigious school like Brown and Stanford. Are you ambitious, do you challenge yourself, are you maturing. But tests scores and grades only establish a base line for their judgments. Remember these schools turn down tons of the smartest kids in the country. That is because you have to think of yourself as a part of the larger class that the admissions offices are trying to form. When you fill out your application make it sound like these schools would be gaining something very special by adding you, because they can find geniuses all over. See what skills set you apart and emphasize how these skills are unique and valuable. Good luck
5 :
all fine and dandy.. first of all it wouldve helped to know what you want to do... and second get extremely familiarized with each school's admissions process and pick which schools you want to go for the most and well go for them.. ur profile seems ok to me... just pour your heart and soul into your application essays and i guess you'll be ok
6 :
im from the uk and your system is totally different, we get university places purely on the basis of academic achievement rather than extra curricular activities. i dint envy gpa's in the uk its just one exam on a given date.
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-4.47 weighted gpa (3.82 unweighted) -AP human geography, spanish language, spanish literature, psychology, calculus AB, biology, and chemistry (the rest honors or pre-ap) -4 years of marching band (3 years as captain of the front ensemble) -3 years of Student Council -4 years of HOSA -NHS -7 years of piano lessons -4 years of percussion lessons (drumset, marimba, snare drum, etc) -Duke TIP state recognition in 7th grade -4 "1st" Division ratings at Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest -I shadowed an oncologist for a week the summer after my sophomore year -I took a class called Basic Medical Practice, in which we became licensed nurse's aides in the fall and did rotations at the hospital in the spring --I have not taken the SAT/ACT yet, but I am leaning towards the ACT just from taking various practice tests
Higher Education (University +) - 6 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Yes, and good for you for all of your accomplishments! Maintain that in college. Hurry and take the ACT or SAT though.
2 :
Create an account on collegeprowler.com It has legit methodology behind its Chances calculator, it is amazingly helpful.
3 :
You should volunteer even more if possible. And take your ACT and SAT!! Those should have been done by the middle of junior year, so if you get a bad score you'd have more time to make it up.
4 :
Well on paper you really need stand out with the high scores you have gotten in school. I would like to see some AP scores you have received thus far and what type of high school you attend (AP Bio at one school can look totally different from it at a lesser school). Wake is your best shot because they don't require ACT or SAT scores. I know a couple of people who have gotten into Berkeley, Rice, and Wake Forest and you sound about a good essay and letters of rec from being right there with them. As for Stanford and the Ivies you obviously have a much different battle. I only know one kid to get into Stanford and he gave me some really good advice. There are some qualities that they check for at the ultra prestigious school like Brown and Stanford. Are you ambitious, do you challenge yourself, are you maturing. But tests scores and grades only establish a base line for their judgments. Remember these schools turn down tons of the smartest kids in the country. That is because you have to think of yourself as a part of the larger class that the admissions offices are trying to form. When you fill out your application make it sound like these schools would be gaining something very special by adding you, because they can find geniuses all over. See what skills set you apart and emphasize how these skills are unique and valuable. Good luck
5 :
all fine and dandy.. first of all it wouldve helped to know what you want to do... and second get extremely familiarized with each school's admissions process and pick which schools you want to go for the most and well go for them.. ur profile seems ok to me... just pour your heart and soul into your application essays and i guess you'll be ok
6 :
im from the uk and your system is totally different, we get university places purely on the basis of academic achievement rather than extra curricular activities. i dint envy gpa's in the uk its just one exam on a given date.
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Thursday, March 1, 2012
Advice for a part time model
Advice for a part time model.?
Hi, I'm 19, a sophomore art/photography major in college, and putting myself through school with loans and some modeling gigs on the side. I've surprised myself with how many gigs I've been able to get so fast, and how I've managed to act/comport myself so professionally at such a young age. Its really boosted my confidence. But I am currently scheduled to do my first nude shoot. It is with a local artistic photographer whose work I know well enough that I DO trust that the shoot will be artistic/tasteful, that the images wont be sold except in his art gallery, etc etc. But I'm still scared out of my wits. I know posing for artistic nudes comes with the job description, and I know need to grow up and get used to being a model--which isn't always nothing but glamerous/fun shoots (just as a nurse can't choose not to change bedpans, models have to, well, model haha). But that doesn't make me any less freaked out. No guys have ever really seen me naked. Heck I've gotten freaked out just with having to change and be fitted for dresses in big ol busy rooms for fashion shoots etc.....so posing solo in the buff has me scared crapless. I know it isn't professional to back out on a gig last minute, and I know that gigs like this come with the territory, and I know I can trust this photographer.....so it isn't any of that. I just am scared. And want advice and perspective.
Painting - 1 Answers
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1 :
Yeah, that would be good!
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Hi, I'm 19, a sophomore art/photography major in college, and putting myself through school with loans and some modeling gigs on the side. I've surprised myself with how many gigs I've been able to get so fast, and how I've managed to act/comport myself so professionally at such a young age. Its really boosted my confidence. But I am currently scheduled to do my first nude shoot. It is with a local artistic photographer whose work I know well enough that I DO trust that the shoot will be artistic/tasteful, that the images wont be sold except in his art gallery, etc etc. But I'm still scared out of my wits. I know posing for artistic nudes comes with the job description, and I know need to grow up and get used to being a model--which isn't always nothing but glamerous/fun shoots (just as a nurse can't choose not to change bedpans, models have to, well, model haha). But that doesn't make me any less freaked out. No guys have ever really seen me naked. Heck I've gotten freaked out just with having to change and be fitted for dresses in big ol busy rooms for fashion shoots etc.....so posing solo in the buff has me scared crapless. I know it isn't professional to back out on a gig last minute, and I know that gigs like this come with the territory, and I know I can trust this photographer.....so it isn't any of that. I just am scared. And want advice and perspective.
Painting - 1 Answers
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1 :
Yeah, that would be good!
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