Food Hazards During Pregnancy

Whether we are aware of it or not, we all face certain food related hazards in our every day lives. When a woman becomes pregnant these ordinary hazards can become even more dangerous. Not only do you need to be cautious about what you consume, you also need to pay careful attention to how you prepare it.

One of the most common forms of food poisoning is salmonella. Usually traceable to eggs and chicken, salmonella can cause symptoms ranging from headache to abdominal pain to nausea and fever. In order to avoid salmonella poisoning, be sure to cook eggs and meat thoroughly and always use a separate knife and cutting board when preparing chicken. Also avoid licking the spoon while preparing raw cake batter.

Listeriosis is a serious infection which can usually be found in unpasteurized milk products, improperly cooked meat, cooked chilled food such as luncheon meat and soft cheese. This particularly virulent bacteria is usually killed during the pasteurization process, but if a food item is refrigerated after being infected, the bacteria will still be present. Listeriosis symptoms tend to mimic the flu, so if you have flu-like symptoms always be sure to see your doctor as listeriosis can be spread from mother to unborn baby and in some cases has been known to result in miscarriage or stillbirth.

Another condition which can mimic the flu is toxoplasmosis. Infection can occur due to the consumption of raw or undercooked meat and pork or improperly washed raw vegetables. This infection can also be spread through the handling of cat litter, so pregnant women should never change a cat’s litter box. If you own cats, you have probably already been infected and are not at risk. If you have any questions, have your doctor run a blood test to determine your risk level.

Botulism is a very rare but extremely serious infection which is usually transmitted through improperly stored or canned food. If cans have a dent or a bulge, that is usually a good sign that bacteria is present and you should avoid eating the food inside.

While these infections are dangerous, they are fairly easy to avoid during pregnancy or otherwise by following a few simple guidelines. Always make sure that meat and eggs are thoroughly cooked; be sure to wash your hands after preparing foods and using the bathroom; avoid cross-contaminating foods; always use clean cooking utensils; and be careful when defrosting, refreezing or reheating foods. Proper nutrition is essential especially during pregnancy, so be sure to maintain a healthy diet and healthy cooking habits too.