Alot of people feel that way. I see no problem having reptiles while you're pregant. As long as you make sure to wash your hands often and all that good safety stuff. Once the baby is born the same rule applies, wash your hands after you touch the reptiles and before you touch the baby...no big deal. Some people are just overly cautious I guess. I see alot of ads on craigslist saying I'm pregnant and can't take care of them anymore or just had a baby and need to get rid of them.

OK - here's what I think happened.

He wanted you to downsize. He figured by asking for them all to go, you would reach the compromise that he really wanted.

I think that's what happened.

On the one hand - you wish he had asked before pitching a fit, but on the other hand - it seems he didn't know you already were downsizing - so perhaps the communication could have been a little better in both directions.

Anyway - glad things worked out.

With respect to salmonella from reptiles - the danger is actually higher for kids than adults. This has to do with the tendency for kids to crawl on the floor and not properly wash their hands and other object before putting them in the mouth.

Cats however are a bigger danger when it comes to zoonotic diseases.

Glad you worked that out! Regarding your comment: "Why men don't ask before pitching a fit, I'll never know. " I'd guess he just had a jump start on the fit he expected *you* to throw! LOL

I hope your pregnancy gets easier.. no matter what, it'll be worth it in the end

In reference to the salmonella comment...It's my husband making these statements, not my doctor. The chances of contracting salmonella from reptiles is slim to none. I've been keeping reptiles since 2002, I would imagine I would have gotten salmonella by now. The doctor was more concerned about me having a cat (I guess they have some disease that can cause birth defects?)

As far as In-Laws...My husband doesn't speak to either of his parents (long story); but I talk to his mum, so I know it's not coming from them. Possibly it's coming from his brothers?

My web site is TripleMoonsExotic.com. I was cleaned out of Cornsnakes last week of what I had available and 2008 offspring will not be available until July/August.

An update on the situation...My husband woke up this afternoon and apologized for his rash comments this morning. He wants me to downsize and use the smaller spare bedroom as my reptile room (and baby gets my reptile room). Why he didn't say that in the first place, I don't know. He didn't realize that a whole rack of the colubrids was going out the door Monday...and I guess he thought I would throw a fit about moving the animals into a smaller room? Why men don't ask before pitching a fit, I'll never know.

do you have a website where the animals you have for sale are listed with pictures? I am looking for corns

 Ok, first from my point of view there are a few thing's in play here. 1. he is looking at it as, you are consumed by your hobby and he thinks he is going to be left with the burden of being a solo parent. 2. there is a good possibility of in-laws who are neh saying and as such he must do as he is told 3. he is afraid of the obvious which is that we are shunned by the system and when your child reaches school and brags of such it will bring down the power's to be on you both. And now my wife's point of veiw! 

 I agree with Jay that your husband may be concerned that you don't have the time and it will over load you or overflow to him. Most likely this is driven by someone else in the family. This is not a hobby that is well excepted, and many look at it as a phase in a persons life. Now that you are moving on to making a family most people make some changes. Some people even get rid of their dogs,cats, birds when they start a family. The whole salmonella scare is over done. clean properly after any contact with any animal, and you should be fine. I have read much on this subject, dogs, cats, birds, and people can be carriers of salmonella also. One report stated 1 in 10 people had gotten it mildly and now are carriers. Just think of all the reptiles in homes across the country and how many cases of salmonella are directly from reptiles. I would say get to the bottom of why he has said to get rid of them before leaving something that brings you pleasure. You may regret it or him in the future.

They say you shouldn't have reptiles if you are pregnant b/c of the risk of salmonella (since your immune system is stressed out enough, you are more likely to get it). but its weird that he would decide that after this long...good luck!

He's been fine with the animals, doesn't take care of them, but will check in on them and hold them. Two of the boas the I take care of are his!

My mum isn't even giving me crap about it (thought she did have a nightmare that a King Cobra was in our house and about to eat the baby - when she told me, I laughed my butt off)! My Dad I don't even really talk to and my mother in-law hasn't said a word.

I won't give this up just because he says so. It's amusing that he thinks I would at all.

How has he been with the reptiles in the past. Sometimes this type of assault comes from another source (namely neurotic in laws or one's own parents) and is just directed by the husband. I've had 2 kids, one is 24 and the other is 14 and both my in laws and my own mother were extremely neurotic. Both my children are healthy and well adjusted regardless of all the a various animals, reptiles and cats included that I have kept. See mom the cats did not smother the kids.

Don't give in unless it is something you really want to do