Dont of Pregnancy???

There's bacteria in the water form the poop that can make you sick if the stinky smell doesn't make you puke first.
Don't freak out - you are probably fine. Just get someone else to clean it next time.
I drank wine - ate sushi, flew cross country and moved sofas before I found out I was preggers and my son is trying to tickle me as a type. ;)
I think there is a hormone produced during pregnancy that makes us obsess and worry about EVERYTHING.

Dear E M,
Oh...all the "Do Nots" of pregnancy. That seems to be a list that just keeps getting longer. Sometimes I wonder how kids were even born generations ago with all the things you aren't supposed to do nowadays. My two nieces have had 3 children each in rapid succession and I never heard about the fish tank thing. I suppose it would depend on what type of tank you have, if you would be exposed to any chemicals or fish illnesses such as "ick". (I think that's how it's spelled). Most likely, the main thing would be just to properly wash afterwards. You should ask your doctor for more information on it so you can at least understand why they ask you not to do it. I can assure you with most certainty that cleaning your fish tank once hasn't done any harm to you or your baby. I've always had birds and cleaned their cages while pregnant. That's probably on a don't list now too. Just don't stress out about it and see if you can get someone to help with the fish from now on.
I don't know if you've ever seen it, but I fell in love with the show "Mad Men" on AMC. It's about the lives of advertising executives, set in the early 1960's. Aside from being an excellent show, I was born in 1962, so I found it very interesting from that aspect as well. Pregnant women drank and smoked, no one used a seat belt, not even the kids. In one episode, the main character's wife Betty, is sitting at her table visiting with her pregnant friend. Her friend mentions that the children are playing too quietly so she calls for her little boy who announces they are playing "space man". He and Betty's daughter come around the corner and the little girl's body is completely enveloped by a large plastic dry cleaning bag she put on over her head. (You're thinking OMG, she could suffocate). Betty say's,
"Sally Draper, you come here, right now! You better hope my clothes aren't rumpled in a pile on the bottom of my closet or you are really going to get it!".

That was back before they stamped "This Bag is Not a Toy" all over everything.
Anyway, my point is, take good care of yourself, get plenty of rest, and don't worry too much about the things on the Do Not list. Certainly take precautions, but don't worry if you did something on the Don't list that you didn't know you shouldn't do.
If that makes any sense.

Best of wishes and I look forward to hearing more about what the fish tank thing is all about.

EM-
I haven't heard that and I cleaned my daughters fish tank multiple times while carrying twins and they were perfectly healthy when they were born. If you are worried about have someone else clean the tank going forward but don't worry about yesterday.

M.

EM,

I haven't hear the fish tank don't--but I would guess that maybe it has to do with certain toxins that come out from the fish tank? Similar to the kitty litter don't? Just a guess. But I wouldn't worry about it much since you already did it- just have someone else clean it in the future.

Congrats on your pregnancy!

Molly

Hi,
The concern is regarding the possibility of multi-drug resistant salmonella. In most likelihood, the chances are small but why chance it?
L.

I don't know why, some bacteria probably, but don't worry about it. Get someone else to clean it from now on but I'm sure your baby is fine after this morning's tank cleaning.

Fish tanks can support salmonella. It's a low risk. Be sure to wash your hands and anything else that comes into contact with the fish tank thoroughly after you clean it, just like you would if you were preparing raw food in the kitchen.

Don't remember reading that one, either. I just had #4 in October. The list is quite extensive and seems a bit paranoid. Like NO Lunchmeat. I ate lunchmeat with my 3 prior pregnancies, but "couldn't" with the 4th.

It probably has something to do with the fish waste and some bacteria that you could be exposed to. I would have someone else clean it until you can ask your doctor about it at your next visit. If your Dr.'s office has a nurse program, you could call the office and ask to speak with a nurse about it.

Congrats!

Mom of 4: 19, 12, 7 and 4mos

p.s. my husband and i really enjoy the age gaps between our children. hope you find it as enjoyable!

I swear I hate that list of do's and don'ts. It's like they are trying to throw every pregnant woman into a panic.

The concern is Bacteria. If you wash your hands well it really isn't much of a concern. Some fish (usually the tropicals and exotics) can have parasites but you would pretty much have to eat the fish or it's poop for there to be a real concern. If you can't get someone else to wash the tank in the future wear gloves and a surgical mask while you do it and take a shower when you're done.

Congratulations and try not to panic.

We all know about litter boxes but fish tanks? That's news to me! Here's what I found from a Google Search:

"Medical Research on the Internet - Cleaning Aquariums while pregnant

Expert: Dr Khalid M Munir - 7/16/2008

Question
I am 5 mths. pregnant with my second child and so I know about all the do's and don'ts while pregnant... all that is except.... Is it ok to clean out a fish aquarium????
Thank you for your time,
Stacy

Answer
Hi stacy,
I dont know the size/height of your aquarium. If you dont feel strain on your stomach/ chest , you can do it. For more information: http://drkhalidmunir.googlepages.com

Let me know about other issues that you need to know which are not covered on this website."

So, unless you're looking for an excuse to get someone else to clean the fish tank, sounds to me like it's not a problem. Don't drink the water, however :)