I know I should have probably Goggled but I thought someone here may be able to help.

Firstly I am not pregnant and have no intention to change that... But I was speaking to a friend and shocked to find out that through out one of her pregnancies she carried on cleaning her cats litter tray, scooping pooh out every day etc.. I thought when pregnant you weren't supposed to do that??

And here is the next question.. Is the "risk" just from the litter itself?? Or that cat in general???

I'm just curious....

I think the only risk is from toxoplasmosis & only then if you touch the cat poo & don't wash your hands thoroughly. If your friend was careful (or used gloves) then I don't think the risk is very high.

I realise that people with cats go through pregnancies just fine, so I must sound a little silly .... I just always remember being told pregnant women mustn't change cat litter etc... (although that may have been my pregnant Mum trying to get out of it LOL!!)

Thanks

It is a sensible precaution to avoid cat faeces if pregnant although not all cats have it but it's not really worth risking it rather than taking some hygiene precautions. There is also a risk when gardening when pregnant due to cats defaecating on soil.
The risk of the cat itself can come from them having cleaned themselves, including their bottoms, with their tongue, or conversely if they haven't been as careful as they might about cleaning after using the facilities or they are a bit "loose"

I used to clean my cat's tray when I was pregnant (no choice really, no one else to do it!) - I figured as long as I kept the tray clean and followed good hygiene, I wasn't that much at risk, especially as my cat never went outdoors, so wouldn't be picking up diseases.

I adopted 2 cats from a Cats Protection shelter and the manager there told me that it was not uncommon for pregnant women to ask for their cats to be re-homed as they were worried about cat litter etc. I thought that very sad (and probably an excuse used to get rid of a cat). I was assured by the manager that there is no risk if precautions are taken and, as other posters have mentioned, basic hygiene is followed.

I continued to change cat litter throughout pregnancy as did my sister - just exercise common sense i.e. wash your hands after clearing out the litter tray, don't touch the poo, don't stick your fingers in your mouth/eyes etc and you'll be fine

Looking at some of the other postings I didn't mean people should get risk of their cat!
Just if you have a male partner or non-pregnant female around delegate litter tray cleaning to them () and if that's not an option use rubber gloves and wash hands after handling the cat or cleaning the litter tray.
Obviously regular worming is particularly important at this time, i.e once a month rather than three monthly.