One of the Drs that I work with made a really good point - what do the women in France eat? Because he figures that they sure as heck don't stop drinking their coffee and eating their smelly cheeses and they seem to do just fine.
The risk of listeria is a real one but a small one. It's not nice if we get it but the chances are slim. They are very cautious with pregnancy diets these days because the few people who do get these things suffer badly. It's just a case of extremes in my opinion.
I've only just returned from Vietnam, where I was seeing a French obstetrician.
At my first appointment he told me to avoid ice - because the ice delivery people may have had dirty hands - and shellfish, although he said prawns and crab was ok.
I asked him about cold meat and soft cheeses and he gave me a look like he'd never heard anything so ridiculous. He asked me why and I said listeria and he gave me a French shrug. I pushed a little and he say "maybe" there was a very slight chance of eating contaminated cheese if you lived in the countryside and bought some soft cheese from a farm where they hadn't stored it properly.
That was his professional opinion, but I still avoided cold meat and soft cheese because the hygiene standards in Vietnam are not as good as in Australia. And if I was earning US$60 a month (the minimum wage there) and I forgot to put something back in the fridge at work, I wouldn't own up to it and run the risk of having to pay for it!
So don't worry too much. The only thing my Vietnamese colleague was told to avoid was coffee, but my obst said it was fine to have a couple of cups a day.
Just make sure you get checked if you develop a fever.
I wouldn't beat yourself up about it. I know I haven't been perfect! I had a few items off the naughty list before my sis gave me a stern talking to
I am really struggling with not being allowed sushi! I used to have it at least every second day, a raw salmon one and a chilli tofu one, sigh. The midwife I saw at my first appointment said I can have it once the baby's born (and I am planning to breastfeed) and it will do no harm, yay! I know what DP's first job is going to be Sushi platter!
I also read that the rate of listeria and the amount of pregnant women and unbobrn babies who get it is literally zilch. I wouldn't worry too much about it. My Dr told me as long as I steer clear of soft cheeses.
I wouldnt worry too much. I have eaten ham and salami throughout all my pregnancies. I have usually been pretty good at watching out for the 'nasties' - except for last week when I treated myself to a large choccy thickshake from maccas!
I heard with the soft cheeses its more dangerous if it hasnt been pasturized and most cheeses/dairy in Australia are pasturised. Im no expert - so dont quote me on it!
BellyBelly Member
Sushi platter!
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