Ball python & pregnant owner!

[alyssa_lennon]

Hi everyone! As you must already know due to some of my previous posts, I’ve recently become a ball python owner… I’ve had Pepe for a month and a half now, and everything has been going just fine, I am very happy with him. However, a “problem” as arisen. I’ve just found out I am 8 weeks pregnant. This is something I was not expecting AT ALL. My boyfriend works and goes to college at night, so in the next few months I will have to deal with a pregnancy at 21 years old, college, work, a moving, and then a demanding baby. Almost all by myself since my boyfriend leaves for work at 5 am in the morning and returns home at around 11 pm. I know this will just be too much for me to handle… though obviously, I don’t have a choice Let’s add on top of that a house to clean, pets to feed and clean and being a new ball python owner.

I know a ball python is not a lot of work, but I believe I will need all the extra time I can get… has anyone ever been in a situation like this before? How were you able to cope with everything??? I definitely DO NOT want to lose Pepe, since I’ve always frowned upon those who get pets and then end up selling them or giving them away because they can’t deal with them… but I repeat, a baby was definitely something I did not think I would be having any time soon… but here I am.

Thank you for your time guys, you’ve been of tremendous help to me!!

Nat, mum-to-be

[ZinniaZ]

Hi everyone! As you must already know due to some of my previous posts, I’ve recently become a ball python owner… I’ve had Pepe for a month and a half now, and everything has been going just fine, I am very happy with him. However, a “problem” as arisen. I’ve just found out I am 8 weeks pregnant. This is something I was not expecting AT ALL. My boyfriend works and goes to college at night, so in the next few months I will have to deal with a pregnancy at 21 years old, college, work, a moving, and then a demanding baby. Almost all by myself since my boyfriend leaves for work at 5 am in the morning and returns home at around 11 pm. I know this will just be too much for me to handle… though obviously, I don’t have a choice Let’s add on top of that a house to clean, pets to feed and clean and being a new ball python owner.

I know a ball python is not a lot of work, but I believe I will need all the extra time I can get… has anyone ever been in a situation like this before? How were you able to cope with everything??? I definitely DO NOT want to lose Pepe, since I’ve always frowned upon those who get pets and then end up selling them or giving them away because they can’t deal with them… but I repeat, a baby was definitely something I did not think I would be having any time soon… but here I am.

Thank you for your time guys, you’ve been of tremendous help to me!!

Nat, mum-to-be

Oh boy, I have been there. What other pets do you have? Is there a way to lighten any of your other responsibiliies? You and boyfriend should sit down and talk about household chores, who does what, what to let go, etc. The house does not have to be perfect.

I think you might be panicking a little right now-- I would be. Which means you should hold off on any decisions and let the news settle a bit and then come up with a plan of action. You have plenty of time.

[frankykeno]

Nat, pretty much every woman facing her first pregnancy, planned or not, tends to go..."holy crap what will I do!". That's pretty normal hon so don't let it overwhelm you. Add that to the fact that in your first trimester you will be in a bit of hormone hell as your body adjusts to the baby and will tend to be VERY overtired and out of sorts.

All this means dear is don't panic, don't make any major decisions too quickly. Sit down with your boyfriend, take a good look at how your household runs and what can be trimmed down. As pets go, a snake is about the least amount of work. If you have too many other pets, then you may want to think about that a bit. If you own cats, you do need to insist your boyfriend deal with the litter box while you are carrying.

You're going to become a mom and that will mean learning multi-tasking skills, learning to budget your time, learning to set priorities, learning to set limits on yourself and others, etc. That's just a part of being somebody's momma.

Congrats Nat. If there's anything I can do or you just need an experienced mom's ear, please don't hesitate to let me know.

[ADEE]

Well, congrats on your pregnancy!!!

Im a mom of two children (4 & 2 trust me DEMANDING ages) 11 snakes, 2 geckos, and 2 rabbits. There are days its tough but i totally think you can swing doing a new baby and one snake, after all it doesnt take much time at all to drop a mouse once a week and clean the bin if thats what your using.. and i would suggest having your SO do that part

There is never the "right" time to have a baby.. thats the Gods honest truth and these things happen all the time and usually when least expected. What the end result is will totally be up to you but im sure you can swing it Joanna had some great suggestions!! CONGRATS AGAIN!

[Sonya610]

If you own cats, you do need to insist your boyfriend deal with the litter box while you are carrying.

Yes it is a good idea to get him to change the litter box (any excuse to get him to do it is a good one). But don't panic, many people have already been exposed to Toxoplasma, and it is usually only a risk if the woman has NEVER been exposed to it before then gets it for the first time during pregnancy. Docs can run a blood test to see if the mother has antibodies from a prior infection.

One can also get it from undercooked meat, poorly washed fruit, questionable water supplies, etc...

I just hate to think of someone getting paranoid and dumping their cats out of ignorance.

http://www.cdc.gov/toxoplasmosis/pregnant.html

[frankykeno]

There's no need to "dump" cats but reducing any risks you can while you carry an infant is a smart thing to do I think. Since she has another adult in her home, then I personally don't see the problem with getting him to do that particular chore.

[Sonya610]

Frankykeno I agree with you. It's just sometimes people can get a bit weird and paranoid about different things when pregnant; it is good to know the facts.

[mischevious21]

Well congradulations, and I think youll be fine like they all said though, your b/f will have to pick up some slack, because also as said you will be dead tierd and hormonal- and for a little bit not be able to bend over. lol. But dont worry, you have time to figure some things out

[m0esgirl]

yeah i know how that goes. i have an almost three year old, and a nine month old. i also have a pit bull terrier ( who needs walks or he decides to punish us by destroying our blinds) ten bp's and a kingsnake and two adult rats and four rat pups. now if someone had told me two years ago that i'd be taking care of all of this every day, i'd have cried or laughed or gone insane. it seems like alot of work when you havent done it before, but as you get used to things and figure out what you have to do and what can wait, i PROMISE you will find out you can do things you never thought one person can do. but dont forget to take time for yourself. the best advice i was given is that when the baby is napping, take a nap or a break as well. you're no help to anyone (least of all yourself haha) if you're worn down and going half crazy from lack of sleep. just take things as they come, and know that you WILL be able to handle it all and figure out ways to make it run smoothly. you will be absolutely fine. and congrats on your little bundle of joy!!!

[alyssa_lennon]

Thanks guys for your answers!! I know that being in the first trimester makes me moody and way too hormonal, I am learning to deal with it day by day, Luckily, I've decided not to make any important desicions yet... My bf has calmed me down a bit too, and my mum's told me she'll come help whenever she can... I know things will slowly fall into place.

I have no cats, but I have a chihuahua and a very demanding bullmastiff... bullmastiffs are like eternal 3-year-olds, but they do make your life brighter

Anyway, you guys are right, bps are not that much work anyway... The breeder I got Pepe from has offered to keep him for a week or two after giving birth to the baby so as to help me establish a routine easily. I think it might be a good idea

Thanks for your answers and your words of comfort. And Franky, I'll definately be needing an experienced mum's advice

I'll be having my first ultrasound in a week, I'll post pics on the "cafe" section ones I have them

God bless you and your families!