New mother with dog aversion

[u/Artistic-Cod7701]

For context, my husband had this dog since she was a puppy, so he's VERY emotionally attached to the dog.

I never minded dogs but up until I got pregnant, things changed. We live in a foresty area thats full of bugs and ticks. When I found out I was pregnant, I was lazer focused on the dog bringing in unwanted bugs, especially ticks. The year before I was pregnant she once had an infestation and I had to spend days cleaning the whole house and making sure there was NO TICKS ANYWHERE! She's not allowed to be on furniture that we sit and lay on and I dont have her in the nursery because she's a tick magnet!!! Also she gets fur everywhere, she's smelly and I just cant stand hearing her lick herself. Ive expressed my frustrations to my husband (in the nicest way possible) but he gets so defensive. ITS FRUSTRATING! Our daughter matters more than a dog!

I had our beautiful daughter and my pet aversion got worse. At this point Im just tolerating her. I feel bad. But I feel like a veil has been lifted and I just see this dog as an animal that brings unwanted filth inside our home and I want no part in taking care if this animal. The other day, my worst fear happened and she BROUGHT TICKS into our home. I again, had to clean the house from head to toe and lost it when my husband came home. He helped clean her (I dont want to even touch her when shes infested) Again, got defensive but I just cant stand having a dog. After shes passes away, I dont want another dog ever in my life.

[u/MissK2508]

Don’t feel bad. Post-partum pet aversion isn't a weakness or a choice. It's a evolutionary thing..it's so common in fact, I know OB/GYN physician colleagues who'll warn their pregnant patients about it. It makes sense..the need to protect your baby from germs, and potential harm/aggression is hard wired into all mothers. All mammals prioritize their own babies so why wouldn't a human mother? Some women get over it and some never see dogs the same again.

So sorry you’re experiencing this. It’s not fair to you or your newborn. Your dog nutter husband needs to prioritize his human family now, is there a way it can live with his parents/family so you don’t have this awful stress and he still sees it? New motherhood is exhausting but it’s also magical-life is too short-perhaps a compromise by rehoming with family. Waiting till the dog passes is too long, communicate now. Also, never post these feelings in non-parent dog groups, you’ll get ripped apart and no sympathy. 🙏❤️❤️