Why cats lie down on the belly of pregnant women

You'd be surprised at the health benefits of having a house cat during pregnancy. A cat's presence greatly reduces stress and promotes emotional and physical well-being. Your cat's warmth and soft purr reduce the anxiety level of pregnant moms. Cats can even sense that something is wrong with you, such as low iron or blood sugar.

how to sleep during pregnancy ?

Many women wonder if pregnant women can sleep on their stomachs. It is possible, but only up to 10-13 weeks.

In the first trimester, the uterus does not yet go beyond the bosom, and you can safely lie on your stomach – it will not hurt the fetus.

Then it is better to choose another position – on your back or on your side, otherwise the pressure of tissues that occurs during sleep can harm the baby.

After 12 weeks the situation changes. It is no longer advisable to lie on your stomach, because in this position you will feel a significant pressure on the fetus.

But while you can still fall asleep in the supine position – provided that there are no unpleasant feelings and the condition does not worsen.

But from a physiological point of view – it is better to sleep on your side from the first weeks of pregnancy.

Approximately from 18-20 weeks of pregnancy the best option for the expectant mother will be sleeping in a position on her side.

If you stay on your back, the enlarged uterus will increase pressure on the inferior vena cava, and unpleasant symptoms will appear: dizziness, tinnitus, weakness, palpitations, shortness of breath.

If there is a lot of pressure on the vena cava, the expectant mother may lose consciousness. The fetus will also suffer from hypoxia.

After 28 weeks, the best position for the mother-to-be is on her side. Do not lie on your back or stomach.

#gynecologist #reproductologist #sleep #pregnancy #pregnancy management

Can cats sense if you are pregnant?

Your cat can tell if you are carrying a baby in the following ways:

• Cats have an extraordinary sense of smell.. Your house cat has a superpower: its sense of smell. It has 200 million odor-sensitive cells in its nose, and its sense of smell is 9 to 16 times stronger than a human's. Pregnant women experience hormonal changes and produce more estrogen, progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG hormones. These changes significantly affect her scent, and it does not escape the cat's very keen sense of smell. There have even been reports of domestic cats sensing that their parent is pregnant, even earlier than they do themselves.
• They can pick up on your mood and pick up on your body language. Cats are great at napping, but don't let that fool you. They are by nature alert and observant. They are known to be experts at reading your mood and body language. Mood swings and constant sleep in early pregnancy, even your body posture, get the cat's attention and interest.
• Your house cat is looking for warmth. A cat's body temperature is about 38 ℃ and it needs to compensate for heat loss, unlike humans and other animals. Pregnant women are easy targets for cats to cuddle with because pregnant women have higher basal body temperatures, especially in the first trimester.

Concerns if cats lie on a pregnant woman's belly

Cats seem to have a special affinity for a pregnant woman's belly, and they like to snuggle and lie on her belly. However, is it safe for your cat to lie on your belly if you are pregnant? Here are some common concerns shared by pet parents. Let's check to see if there is cause for concern about this.

1. The cat may be heavy. Pet parents fear that a cat may be too heavy if it lies on a pregnant woman's belly, as this could lead to discomfort, birth defects or miscarriage. This is unlikely, however, and a normal-sized cat is unlikely to be heavy enough to harm a baby, even if your house cat is a large breed such as a Maine Coon.
2. Your cat's body heat can harm a baby. Another concern for pet owners is that the cat's body heat can pose a potential danger to the baby in the womb. However, this is also very unlikely because the cat's body temperature is not sufficient to raise the human body temperature.
3. Possibility of infection. Although it may be a real concern, it is unlikely that a pregnant woman could contract infections such as toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection carried by cats, just because the cat is lying on her belly. Still, it's best to take precautions: stay away from your cat's litter box and ask a family member or friend to change the litter for a while. If you need to do it yourself, wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning the litter tray.
4. Cat allergies.. Pregnant women may develop an allergic reaction to cats during pregnancy and this may be due to hormonal changes, while those who already have allergies have a more serious reaction. To keep yourself safe, consult your veterinarian about the right allergy medication and don't let your cat stay in the bedroom with you while you sleep at night.

What is permissible and what is forbidden

Very often folk omens and superstitions contradict each other. Thus, according to one version, a cat resting on the abdomen of a pregnant woman is a favorable sign, but according to another – not. In the second case, the omen portends the death or illness of the fetus. That is, whatever the action of the animal, it will certainly be interpreted in one way or another.

And here is another belief that surprises by its ridiculousness. If a pregnant woman allows a cat to lie on her belly or stroke it, the baby will be born restless and it will grow hair on its back.

The Japanese, who are particularly fond of cats, only welcome a pet lying on the belly of a pregnant woman. If the animal purrs and gently moving her paws, it can not be better. However, it has been scientifically proven that the timbre of cats purring has a positive impact on all the processes occurring in the human body.

Pregnancy test

This omen has come down to our time from antiquity. It was believed that if a cat repeatedly lays down on a woman's stomach, it means that she is pregnant. Our great-grandmothers had no tests for pregnancy, so they often relied on folk omens and beliefs.

For all the mystery of these animals, their behavior can always be explained in a reasonable way. Perhaps this will somewhat disappoint people who believe in miracles, but nevertheless it is worth knowing the nuances of scientific research and the conclusions obtained. We suggest learning a few theories about why a cat lies down on its stomach.

Can cats sense that a woman is pregnant?

Your pet can "diagnose" such a condition in several ways:

1. Extraordinary sense of smell. Any cat has a "superpower" – its sense of smell. Its nose contains 200 million odor-sensitive cells, so it is 9-16 times stronger than in humans. Pregnant women experience hormonal changes and produce more estrogen, progesterone and hCG. These changes have a significant effect on her scent, and this does not escape the cat's extremely keen sense of smell.
2. Sense of mood and catching body language. Cats are experts at taking long naps, but even when resting, they are very alert and observant. They are great at reading moods and recognizing body language.
3. The pet seeks warmth. A cat's body temperature is about 39 degrees Celsius and it is important for her to compensate for heat loss, unlike humans and other animals. A pregnant owner is an easy "target" for furry pets because women have higher temperatures during this period, especially in the first trimester.

Is it dangerous for a cat to lie down on a pregnant woman's belly?

There are certain myths associated with this pet behavior. For example:

1. A cat can be heavy. Owners worry that the pet could lead to impaired development of the baby in utero if it constantly lays down on its belly. True, this is unlikely, and a "standard" size cat is unlikely to be too heavy.
2. The warmth of the animal could be harmful to the baby. This is also unlikely because the pet's body temperature is insufficient to raise the temperature of a human.
3. Possibility of infection. Although this may be a real problem, it is unlikely that a pregnant woman could contract toxoplasmosis and parasitic infections just because the cat is lying on her belly. However, it is best to take precautions by staying away from the pet's litter box. If your pet is diagnosed with an infection, it's best to protect yourself by staying away from the muzzle and carefully washing your hands after playing or petting the cat.

But the presence of a furry pet significantly reduces stress in a pregnant woman and promotes both emotional and physical well-being.

Reply

My cat does not leave me when I feel bad, lies down on my stomach paws apart so his tummy pressed against my stomach and purring, immediately it is so warm and I immediately fall asleep. Sometimes my back really hurts, so he climbs up under my back and I sleep well at night. So he helps me a lot.

And me a cat (1,5 years) helps to save pregnancy: removes uterine tone, side pain from uterine distension, and now the pain in the stomach, related apparently to the displacement of the stomach. just comes at night, lays on his stomach closer to the painful place, lies, can purr, and I stroke him, whispering loving words. pain, discomfort really go away. for such an effect I put up with the cat weight.

My cat used to lie down on her stomach, now her stomach has grown and I do not allow her to climb on it. she lies next to it and "sings")

Hi! i am 35 weeks pregnant.3rd delivery.i sleep on my side and my cat on my tummy all pregnancy.before that during the 1st and 2nd pregnancies i vomited bile after 30 weeks.yesterday my cat started vomiting bile and she died today after the clinic(((((

the last pregnancy i had a cat lying on my stomach…constantly…felt something…and ended in a miscarriage at 21 weeks…ended up being cytomegalovirus…high titers of rubella. a year and a half later, i got pregnant again. the same cat lying on my stomach and the result bleeding (pudding) at an early stage. had to go to the hospital, about a month spent there. was a hematoma, detachment, that they even started shooting antibiotics to hematoma did not fester and the pregnancy was saved. still a threat of miscarriage. and when a cat wants to jump on my belly. I start a terrible panic. and the question "what's wrong? cat?". honestly, very scary.

It depends on what kind of cat – big or not. My cat sits on my lap, just puts her head on my stomach and moves her ears if I have something moving there))

An objective explanation for a cat's behavior

As fantastic as it sounds, a cat is often the first to know when its owner is pregnant, even before the woman takes a test. Science cannot substantiate this, only speculation exists:

• The animal senses hormonal changes (here it is appropriate to remember that other pets – dogs – recognize cancer patients even in the initial stages);
• the cat sensitively notices the slightest changes in the habitual behavior of the lady of the house, her way of life (for example, a woman gives her a little less attention, focusing more on herself, the movements of the lady of the house become more careful);
• the pet directly feels the birth of a new life in an incomprehensible way for science.

In general, many cats like to sleep and just lie next to people. Naturally, for this they choose the warmest and softest places, and a woman's belly is such a place. However, there are also unsociable furry beauties, but when an unfamiliar pregnant woman comes into the house, they try to jump on her lap and settle near the belly.

Many people know that cute furry animals can "treat" their owners: tactile contact with them can eliminate headaches, arrhythmia, sciatica, depression and other ailments. The pet has a mysterious ability to absorb negative energy. Most likely, the same mechanism works during pregnancy: the cat not only senses the "interesting" state of the mistress, but also tries to help her and protect the future baby.

It is worth noting that in some cases, instead of trying to snuggle up to the "pregnant" belly, cats suddenly become aggressive to it – trying to scratch or bite. In this case, the woman better get checked: it is possible that the fetus has serious developmental abnormalities, which the animal feels.

Omen – true and absurd

With the behavior of the cat during the pregnancy of the mistress, there is a number of omens:

1. The animal, lying on the "pregnant" belly, protects the future baby from disease and lulls it. There is some truth here: many women note that such "therapy" helps the fetus to calm down – to reduce its strong tremors, as well as to reduce the tone of the uterus.

If a cat lays down on its belly, something bad is going to happen to the fetus .. This omen contradicts the previous one and is certainly not true. Even a weighty cat will not run over the baby, because it is securely protected by the belly and amniotic fluid.

If the pet tries to move from the belly to the breast, it can ruin the milk. The omen is absurd – the pet will not affect the lactation process in any way. When it snuggles up to a human breast, it just expresses its affection, asks for attention and affection. In addition, if the belly is already large, the cat is simply uncomfortable lying on it, and it goes down to a more hollow place.

You can't abruptly chase a cat off your belly.. In general, this is justified, because for a pregnant woman sudden movements are generally undesirable. Also the emotional reaction of the mother is important here: even a momentary excitement transmits to the fetus. Finally, one should remember that the cat can be frightened by a scream or a sharp movement, and let its claws down on her belly in order to hold on, and this is absolutely unnecessary.

THE CAT AND THE PREGNANT WOMAN'S BELLY.

Back in the old days they used to check if a girl was pregnant or not by putting a cat on her belly. If the woman was expecting a baby, then the cat, adoring the tummy, laid there to snooze. Some people do not believe that cats can sense pregnancy, because they are not so strongly attached to their owners. But the opinion of women cat owners is unequivocal – absolutely sure the cat pays special attention to the pregnant belly, often lying down on it.

Narrative superstitions endow cats with mystical and magical properties for both good and bad. The most positive superstitions concern tricolor cats. They were called three-haired and rich, considered friends of the house cat, amulets for the home, "magnets" for good luck and material prosperity. Correspondingly, such cats are useful for pregnant women, and not yet born child receives a protector. But there is another, no less common omen: in this way, the animal signals that trouble is about to happen to the fetus, or that a baby with a bristle on the back will be born. We can say for sure – even a weighty cat will not crush the baby in the uterus, it is very reliably protected by the mother's belly and amniotic fluid. But pregnancy is still a little different from the state in which it is necessary to rely on omens and all kinds of superstitions. For all the mystery of cats, their behavior can be explained quite scientifically.

1. A cat sensitively notices the slightest changes in its owner's habitual behavior, her way of life (for example, a woman began to pay a little less attention to her, concentrating more on herself, the movements of the owner became more cautious).

2. The animal senses the woman's pregnancy by changes in the smell of pheromones and hormones secreted by the woman.

3. Cats are very heat-loving and choose the warmest parts of the human body for themselves. From the moment of conception in a woman's uterus, the rapid development of the fetus: rapid division of cells, rearrange the entire reproductive system. Of course, the abdomen becomes warmer than usual – and that's all the cat needed.

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If you care about your child, forget about the cat – it's necessary to fence yourself off from cats. …just read up on TORCH infections and draw conclusions.

Cats sense your situation and stubbornly want to get involved and socialize. Still, I don't think you should let her on your belly. She doesn't lay down on it right away, but walks and stomps around beforehand. My cat loves to lie down on her stomach and even though she is small in size, I try not to let her…or I keep my hand under the covers over her stomach so she can lie down and not push it. You should certainly start sleeping on your side. It's not only good for the baby in terms of the cat, but for you in terms of resting your pelvic bones and spine, since you have all the pressure to sleep on them now

Why they do it.

For all the mystical nature of cats, you can always find quite tangible explanations for their behavior – perhaps a little disappointing for those who want miracles and fairy tales.

In Search of Warmth

All cats are very heat-loving. Their normal body temperature is one and a half to two degrees higher than ours, and in order for the animal to feel comfortably, the room must be at least 23-25 degrees Celsius. So they find warm places for themselves: if not on a hot radiator or a window sill warmed up by the sun they can sit on the working computer.

And as cats are big sleepers – some of them are ready to doze off up to 20 hours per day – the choice of owners' beds is evident: it's warm, cozy and warm.

They say that cats often lie down exactly on the sore spots. Yes, this is true. And it's also easy to explain: a cat doesn't so much warm your sore joints, for example, as it warms itself against them. It chooses the warmest parts of the human body for itself – and where the inflammatory process takes place, the temperature naturally increases.

It's the same with pregnancy. From the moment of conception, a woman's uterus undergoes a storm of events: cells divide rapidly, the whole reproductive system rebuilds. Of course, the belly becomes warmer than usual – and that's all the cat needed.

A show of affection for their owner.

No, of course they're not so pragmatic as to just shamelessly take advantage of us without giving anything in return. They love us very much and try to express their emotional attachment by the means available to them.

A cat always seeks protection and tenderness from its beloved mistress, and when it intuitively senses the special state of a woman, it begins to show increased attention to her. It is no coincidence that this behavior is much more often seen not in cats, but in cats.

Are cats not dangerous for pregnant women?

To give or not to give away a favorite cat, if you expect a baby? Many women, having read about the horrors of toxoplasmosis, urgently get rid of their pets. Yes, this disease is transmitted by cats, and its pathogen is very dangerous for the fetus, which can get serious abnormalities or even die. But, firstly, you can get toxoplasmosis not from a cat, but from infected meat, fish or eggs, or even just by picking a garden bed, which has toxoplasma microparasites in its soil.

Secondly, at least half of adults, according to medical experts, have already had asymptomatic overfunction of toxoplasmosis, even without noticing it, and have immunity. Thirdly, your cat is not necessarily a carrier of disease – this can be easily found out by taking her to the vet. Well, the rules of basic hygiene is better to follow, and not just pregnant – in this case, no disease will not overpower you.

So with this phobia you will deal with yourself and most likely in favor of the cat. Another thing is if a woman has allergies while waiting for the baby. The mother-to-be sneezes and coughs when the cat sleeps on her belly, and swellings and rashes form. This situation is really dangerous for the baby, and indeed, sad as it may be, you will have to find kind, caring hands for your cat.

Be attentive to your cat, and then his behavior will be able to tell you a lot. It's really very interesting. And here to believe or not to believe in omens – it can only decide the woman. Especially if she is pregnant.