Beekeeping and pregnancy

deejaycee · January 30, 2007, 05:12:57 PM

Hi folks Newly joined the forum, but I've been lurking, reading and learning for a few weeks. Thank you all for your excellent contributions - it's been a pleasure so far.

Here's the situation. My partner and I will soon be getting our first hives (autumn here in New Zealand) - we'd like them to overwinter if we can (very mild weather here), or may have to wait for spring. Over time we'd like this to grow into a sideline business for us. We both work in the horticultural field, and are particularly interested in pollination work - it's a growing market here. Ultimately I'd be the one to leave my day job and take over the bees when the business has grown sufficiently.

However, we just found out I'm pregnant - very early days, due in about 8 months. In our later 30s, this is a one shot baby for us and very much wanted.

Here's the question: are you aware if beestings are any greater risk than normal when pregnant? Do the bees react differently to pregnant women as some animals do? Obviously heavy lifting may be an issue later on, but that's what my guy's for :) ... it's really the issue of whether I might be more prone to a bad reaction or developing an allergy, or any risk to our baby.

I have no allergy to bee stings or products that I'm aware of (though I was last stung when I was about 7 years old).

Yeah, I know it's probably a bit left field... but give a paranoid prego a break huh :-D

buzzbee · January 30, 2007, 06:06:07 PM

Not sure about the sting reaction but keep the honey away from the newborn when it arrives. ;)
You may want to put your general location in your profile so if you need questions answered you can get a better answer for yourgeographic location. Congratulations on the baby!

Jerrymac · January 30, 2007, 06:14:11 PM

My wife is a registered nurse. As far as she knows the pregnancy shouldn't change your reactions. The sting you had at 7 years of age. Was it the first and only sting or did you have others before that? I read somewhere your first sting is a freebee. Allergic reactions occur from how your body's defenses develop from that. Well that's what I heard.

deejaycee · January 30, 2007, 06:48:25 PM

Thanks BuzzBee!

That sounds like good news JerryMac. It wasn't my first sting by far - we're a barefoot nation, especially as kids, so I probably had between 6 and 10 by that age.. that's just the last one I remember. I do remember my foot and calf swelling pretty dramatically, but no broader reaction that I would classify as allergic. Thanks!

Robo · January 30, 2007, 07:08:56 PM

Quote from: buzzbee on January 30, 2007, 06:06:07 PM
Not sure about the sting reaction but keep the honey away from the newborn when it arrives. ;)

Better yet, keep all raw foods away from the newborn. Honey gets a bad rap for infant botulism because of the poor warning label someone came up with. Honey is no more of a risk than raw carrots :shock:

wtiger · January 30, 2007, 09:02:36 PM

As an educated guess I'd say you were fine unless you got stung many times, but I wouldn't take advise on any message board when it regards the wellbeing of your baby. I would go and see your doctor and ask him.

rsilver000 · January 31, 2007, 10:06:01 PM

Well here is my answer. I am an OB/GYN and am also board certified in Maternal-Fetal medicine (high risk obstetrics). There is nothing inheritantly different with your ability to react to allergens, ie bee stings, as a result of your pregnancy. Having said that, I would want you to avoid too many bee stings at one time that could result in anaphylaxis, since epinephine used in the epipen can cause problems in pregnancy. Specifically as it raises your blood pressure as an effect of the drug, it could shear off the placenta from the uterus, a condition known as an abruptio placenta. This does not happen frequently but it can happen especially if multiple doses of epinephine are necessary. If there is any question about your reaction to bee stings, get allergy tested by a dermatologist.
I have many pregnant patients that raise bees with little problems. Good luck.
Rob

pembroke · February 02, 2007, 02:33:32 PM

Congarts on the baby!!! As for the bees, there are suits and veils, gloves and all sorts of stuff that you can get to help prevent bee stings at least for the next 9 mo. and then you can do what you want with suit or not. Just my opinion. Pembroke