How strict are you with the pregnancy food 'rules'?

[Miss.September]

Of course I would feel bad if something preventable happened, I'd probably never forgive myself. But when I weigh up the possibility of that against having a fussy, allergic child - I come to the conclusion that there's a much, much higher chance of the fussy, allergic child due to non-exposure.

DD is allergic to apples. I ate them during pregnancy, not devouring them but ate them. I read about someone who couldn't get enough of tomatoes while pg and her baby was born totally allergic to them. I understand there's the theory behind peanuts and allergies passing on to babies, but I think that can happen for any food and there's no concrete way to tell. DD is also a very fussy eater but I can't see how me avoiding certain foods while pregnant caused her to be fussy. But we're talking about listeria, not allergies

I have no problems with people who want to eat whatever they want and do. My choice for me is that I'm not comfortable doing so.

[Mrs O'M]

If the Brie is Australian, it is pasteurised anyway, so it is safe to eat.

While the milk in the cheese is pasturised, the mould is introduced after pasturisation has taken place, so while technically safer than imported soft cheese, there is still a minute risk associated with any mould related/ soft cheeses in Aus.

That being said, I will eat them if they are cooked piping hot, the same as with hams etc. FWIW I think everyone has their own perspective of whats safe and whats not and what they feel comfortable with. So like many have said before eat what your comfy with but at the end of the day its only for 9 months!

[Ambersky]

I strike a balance I am comfortable with, I avoid mould ripened cheese and soft cheese, and cold meat, but will eat it piping hot, I don't eat canned fish anyway. I still get takeaway now and again but am choosy, last night i had to drive to get DH from the station for 7.30 and i was feeling nauseous from hunger, so i got veggie noodles (wok fried in front of you) rather than Subway next door. I eat leftovers but only one day, or if i froze them. I like my eggs soft, but they are from our chooks.
I'm craving beer right now so i occasional pinch the first sip from DHs if he has one (or i talk him in to it) though i have a stash of alcohol removed beer now Yipee!
A few weeks ago all i wanted was a particular HJs burger.. so i did, but i wont have soft serve or milk shakes.

(I have also stopped buying the 'Bath' milk i like so much while preg too)

[nothing2lose]

The thing is Lady Neon, would you think they were exaggerating if it was your baby who died from Listeria??
The way I see it, it's such a small sacrifice to make (one of the smallest you'll make as a parent). Why take the risk?

[BlackRose]

I eat whatever I want. I take the same precautions in pregnancy as I would when not pregnant, but if I want subway, I eat it, and if I want cheese, I eat it.

This... Me too. The only thing I've avoided is alcohol except for the half glass of champers at Christmas and raw fish sushi.

[Artechim]

I think of it as Listeria Hysteria. There are very few cases per year of Listeria. In NZ when listeria is found in a food it makes the news, so it obviously isn't an every day event. I am happy to eat shaved ham etc, there is nothing I avoid during pregnancy. Except KFC - I'd rather not spend an evening puking my guts out while pregnant lol.

There is actually more chance of being in a serious car accident than getting listeria but I chose to drive my car while pregnant too.

[MummyNaomi]

The only things I avoid are alcohol, chinese (or any for that matter) buffets and I ensure meat is cooked properly

I've eaten deli meats, salami's, soft cheeses etc but all bought and stored by me or know where they have come from - I wouldn't eat cheese/meats off a platter at a party that I didn't know how long it had been out of the fridge etc. I enjoyed cold Christmas ham too

I had a good chat to my OB about this in my first pregnancy, He'd only heard of two cases of listeria in his 40 yr career, and said that as long as I was in control of the food preparation and storage I couldn't really go wrong - but did give the buffet warning just because stuff sits on them at lukewarm temperatures. He also pointed out that Australian bought cheeses are generally pasteurized and to just read the label.

I have a pretty good diet (eat lots of fruit, vegies and all the food groups) - I just eat too much of it hehehehe. DS has no food allergies and isn't fussy when it comes to food. I think a practical approach is needed rather than getting sucked in by the fear campaign that is sometimes overdone IMO. I don't think I am putting my unborn baby at any risk whatsoever with my dietary choices.

[lady_neon]

DD is allergic to apples. I ate them during pregnancy, not devouring them but ate them. I read about someone who couldn't get enough of tomatoes while pg and her baby was born totally allergic to them. I understand there's the theory behind peanuts and allergies passing on to babies, but I think that can happen for any food and there's no concrete way to tell. DD is also a very fussy eater but I can't see how me avoiding certain foods while pregnant caused her to be fussy. But we're talking about listeria, not allergies

That's interesting, I've read otherwise from others. My mum couldn't stand any dairy at all while pregnant with me, and now I'm lactose intolerant! Possible connection? But gosh I hope my baby isn't allergic to tomatoes, I'm going through 2 kilo's a week LOL

(I have also stopped buying the 'Bath' milk i like so much while preg too)

What's 'Bath' milk?

The thing is Lady Neon, would you think they were exaggerating if it was your baby who died from Listeria??

In all honesty, no I wouldn't think they were exaggerating if my baby died. But, in all fairness, women who've just lost children aren't rational either (and I'm not saying they have to be! They have every reason NOT to be).

Except KFC - I'd rather not spend an evening puking my guts out while pregnant lol.

The thought of KFC makes me want to puke my guts out :|

I promise I'm not trying to be inflammatory. I'm generally interested in everyone's reasons as people ARE making me feel like I'm actually trying to kill my baby and it scares me!

[veus]

I generally like hot cooked food for lunch so that works well with me. (ie can't do salad or sandwich lunches). More just preference. Didn't eat a lot of soft cheese in the first place so wasn't phased. The thing that I most wanted was sushi/sashimi. I did have some sushi but from places where I know they have high turnover & reputable. I ate deli meat when they've been cooked. Normally like
Alcohol but the smell of it puts me off so didn't have any.


Sent from my smart phone using Tapatalk.(Occasional fat fingers syndrome might occur)

[LuluHB]

I'm extremely strict. I'm completely aware that its not probably necessary but for 9 months who cares. The main reason I'm so strict is that when I was 33 weeks with DD1 I ended up being rushed to hospital hideously ill with suspected listeria after eating takeaway chinese food. Turned out not to be listeria but it scared me to death and it is still very vivid in my mind - the sickness I felt, the guilt I felt and the paralysing fear I had for my baby.

As for how common it is, my OB said that in his 30+ years of being an Ob he has only ever seen one case of listeria.

[Ambersky]

What's 'Bath' milk?(

Its Raw, so unpasteurised, straight from the cow. Only sold in shops as 'Bath' or 'Pet' milk due to Aus's pasteurisation laws. I normally have a few lts a week from a lady just down the road with just one cow.

[lilima]

I was not really strict at all. If it looked dodgy I didn't eat it.

My obs told me really the only thing he wanted me to avoid was pâté and shellfish.

We take risks every day. This is another risk some choose to take, and others don't.

[buffy1]

My FS laid down the law when I fell pg, so I've been pretty strict bar leftovers which I always heat to steaming.

First meal after birth will be a big wheel of Brie, sushi and a caramel sundae!

[nothing2lose]

I actually think this is an emotive issue in some ways because some women who have experienced the heartache of stillbirth, recurrent miscarriage or long term infertility find it really hard to reconcile the idea of being finally blessed with a sticky bub and doing anything that could even remotely jeopardise the baby's health.

[buffy1]

Very true n2l - and one of my reasons (LTTTC).

[Maruschke]

I am LTTTC AML and still eat fairly freely... I am sure that this history makes an impact, but it's not the sole factor. I simply don't believe the risk is big.

[PumpkinZulu]

I was also LTTTCAML, and I ate pretty freely too. I avoided things that for me, we're unnecessary risks in my eyes (alcohol, smoke, some foods or food preparations), but really, I found my own information about each 'risk' and evaluated it case by case. My history didn't overly effect my food choices (in the beginning they did though!).

[MummyNaomi]

I am LTTTC AML and still eat fairly freely... I am sure that this history makes an impact, but it's not the sole factor. I simply don't believe the risk is big.

Agreed, I also love Artechim's Listeria Hysteria comment, have used it myself in the past, its very true in my mind. I totally understand and respect why some pg woman would rather err on the side of caution though. However I have always embraced my pregnancies and I guess what I see as a bit of a media/info beat up isn't a risk or something I am prepared to worry about or fear.