I have seen 5 different doctors during this pregnancy and they've all pretty much given me the same advice. Avoid all food that could be contaminated with listeria.

What everyone needs to remember is that it can live in your body for up to 70 days without you even knowing you are infected with it. I read this in the brochure my midwife gave me so it's not just a rumour. If it's present in your body when you go into labour it can spell disaster for your baby and in very rare cases disaster for yourself.

It is very uncommon for you to get listeria in Australia but it does still happen. That's why doctors warn you about it.

What I was told was:

No soft cheese.

No mayo or creamy dressings of any kind that contain egg - so if its packaged and says egg in the ingredients don't have it - if it's at a restaurant just don't have it at all as often wait staff don't know what the correct ingredients are.

No prepared salads - so no potato salad or coleslaw, pasta salad etc - regardless of its source.

Wash all fruit and veg very thoroughly before use. Don't have a salad from anywhwere you think they might not have washed the lettuce or tomato etc.

No deli meats at all. I must admit I have had some pizza as I have read that ham and bacon are OK if hot.

No runny eggs....period.

All meat must be cooked very well.

Chicken bought when you are out must be eaten immediately and must be hot - never ever cold as you don't know if it has been cooled under correct conditions. If you cook a chook at home you can also eat it the next day but not after that.

It certainly limits what you eat when you are out but doesn't really interfere all that much when eating at home.

One of the things I want most is a plain old ham sanga but I'm not having it til after bubs is born. When I get a burger or chicken burger I order it with cheese but without lettuce, tomato and no creamy dressings. I don't eat salads when out, I go for vegies or chips. I also crave eggs benedict but that's also going to have to wait.

I can do without alcohol for 9 months, I'm quite sure I can live without a few favorites for just another few months.