What is toxoplasmosis and how can it impact my pregnancy?

When you’re pregnant, it can feel like there is a never-ending list of things to be aware of. Infections like toxoplasmosis are often briefly mentioned without much explanation. You might hear it mentioned in passing when someone talks about avoiding cat litter or undercooked meat, but what is toxoplasmosis and why is it relevant in pregnancy? At Private Midwives we want you to feel informed at every stage of your pregnancy.

This blog aims to give you clear, evidence-based information about what toxoplasmosis is, how it’s caught, what the risks are (and are not), and what you can do to reduce them.

What is toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite called ‘Toxoplasma gondii’. It’s found worldwide and many people catch it at some point in their lives without ever realising. It often causes no symptoms at all or just mild, flu-like ones.

In the general UK population, around 10–20% of people are thought to have had toxoplasmosis at some point (Gilbert et al., 2008). In other countries, the number is much higher, partly due to different food habits and environmental exposures.

The concern during pregnancy is because if you catch it, the infection can sometimes pass to your unborn baby.

How do you catch toxoplasmosis?

The parasite lives in the environment, and you can catch it in a few different ways. Some of the things to avoid in pregnancy to lower your risk of catching Toxoplasmosis are:

• Handling cat litter or soil that’s contaminated with infected cat faeces
• Eating undercooked or raw meat, especially lamb, pork or venison
• Eating unwashed fruits and vegetables
• Drinking unpasteurised milk
• Using contaminated knives or chopping boards

You can’t catch toxoplasmosis from another person, with the only exception being from mother to baby during pregnancy.

How common is toxoplasmosis in pregnancy?

Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy is relatively rare in the UK, with an estimated incidence of around 1.5 cases per 10,000 live births (Gillespie et al., 2011). However, it’s still taken seriously because of the potential consequences for the baby.

The risk of passing the infection to your baby depends on when in pregnancy you catch it:

• In early pregnancy (first trimester), transmission is less likely (around 10 – 15%). However, if transmission does happen, it can cause more serious effects.
• In late pregnancy (third trimester), transmission rates rise (up to 60 – 80%), but the effects on the baby are usually milder

What are the risks to the baby?

If the infection passes to the baby (called congenital toxoplasmosis), the effects can range from no symptoms at all to more serious concerns, for example:

• Eye problems (chorioretinitis)
• Brain development issues
• Seizures
• Learning difficulties later in life

However, with early detection and appropriate treatment many babies with congenital toxoplasmosis go on to develop normally. One long-term study in the UK (the TOXOS study, Gilbert and Stanford, 2000) found that of the babies diagnosed and treated early, over 80% had normal development at age 3.

Can I be tested?

In the UK, routine screening for toxoplasmosis is not currently recommended as the infection is rare and the tests can be difficult to interpret (for example, they may pick up an old infection that no longer poses a risk).

However, if there are symptoms, concerns, or possible exposure, your midwife or doctor can arrange a blood test to check.

If a recent infection is confirmed, you will usually be referred to a specialist team for further testing, monitoring, and (if needed) treatment with antibiotics to reduce the risk to your baby.

What can I do to reduce the risk?

The good news is that simple hygiene and food safety measures can significantly reduce your risk of catching toxoplasmosis in pregnancy:

• Wash all fruit and veg thoroughly before eating
• Cook meat thoroughly, until no pink remains
• Wear gloves for gardening, and wash your hands after
• Try to avoid handling cat litter: if you must, wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly afterwards
• Avoid unpasteurised dairy products
• Wash hands regularly, especially before meals and after preparing raw food

These are sensible habits to follow throughout pregnancy and can also help reduce the risk of other infections like listeria and salmonella.

Final Thoughts

Toxoplasmosis is something we take seriously in pregnancy, but it is important to remember that it’s rare, and with a few simple precautions, the risk can be reduced even further. Most people go through pregnancy without any issues.

As private midwives, we are here to support you throughout your journey. Whether you are booked in with us already or simply want a one-off appointment to talk things through, we are always just a call or text away.

We believe every pregnant woman deserves time, clarity and personalised care. So, if you have questions about toxoplasmosis, food safety, or anything else in your pregnancy, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Private Midwife, or contact us to arrange a consultation.

References

Gilbert, R.E. and Stanford, M.R., 2000. Is congenital toxoplasmosis an important cause of abnormal outcomes in pregnancy? BMJ, 321(7256), pp.127–128.

Gilbert, R., Freeman, K., Lago, E.G., Bahia-Oliveira, L.M., Tan, H.K., Wallon, M., Buffolano, W., Fleck-Derderian, S., Franco, J., Ferret, N. and Kieffer, F., 2008. Ocular sequelae of congenital toxoplasmosis in Brazil compared with Europe. Pediatrics, 121(5), pp.e1215–e1222.

Gillespie, S.H., Hawkey, P.M. and Fairley, D.J., 2011. Principles and Practice of Clinical Parasitology. 2nd ed. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

If you’d like help with your pregnancy and are seeking advice, don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us today. You deserve care that honours your choices right from the very beginning.