Deli cooked ham panic.

[ToddlingAlong1]

I am 14 weeks pregnant and having a panic about Listeriosis.

I am in Ireland and when I went to the GP the only thing I was told to avoid was pate, soft and cream cheeses, liver and restrict tuna to 2 x weekly. Asked about runny eggs and M-R steak and was told it was fine.
As I was getting myself worked up with googling in early pregnancy I stopped and just ate normally within those guidelines, although have had steak medium to well done. However, around week 8-10, I started having ham sandwich cravings, didn't even know that deli ham was a problem as never mentioned. Ate it nearly ever day cold and it came from the counter in a supermarket. Came across this as a major no-no when searching for something else. Now having a major panic. Had a bad cold last week though mostly over it now, but worried about Listeria. Help!

Wondering if I should go to Gp and ask for a blood test though may not show up now? Arrgh.

[avocadotoast]

You're fine, honestly, ham is absolutely ok. The only thing to be careful with are uncooked cured meats - so some pastrami, salami etc.

[Theredandthewhite]

You would know if you had listeria.

[TouchPauseEngage]

You'll be fine. And I strongly advise you buy Expecting Better by Emily Oster.
It gives you firm facts and figures on all those pregnancy dos and dont's.
You may decide to avoid the same things you're avoiding now but it will give you some perspective on the risks.
It was recommended on here and really helped me.

[ToddlingAlong1]

Thanks all.
Obviously will not eat ham again, but think the advice is a lot more lax here.
I suppose the problem with Listeria is symptoms can be mild or go unnoticed, so that's the worry. I will just have to hope. Unfortunately I am in a rural area, so the turnover of ham at the counter may be quite low.
Touch I will have a look at the book, thanks for the suggestion. Just have to hope and pray that I haven't done any harm.

[Zahrah5]

Buy ham, freeze it for 4 days and then you are free to eat it.

[ilovepowerhoop]

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/foods-to-avoid-pregnant.aspx#close - read this and calm down. It does not say to avoid ham.

[LittleBearPad]

You'll be fine. If you had listeriosis you'd know. Ham is fine.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Ham is fine, of course you haven't done any harm.

[ToddlingAlong1]

Thanks all I am starting to feel a bit happier.

ilove - Thanks for that. I see it says pre packaged ham is fine but nothing about ham from the deli counter where I always have bought mine from. I think the pre packed ham contains preservatives to reduce Listeria risk. Lesson learnt. :(

[TouchPauseEngage]

Ham is fine honestly.

Read the book (it's about £3 on kindle) it really will help. In the meantime read this article for UK stats on listeria: www.theguardian.com/society/2007/may/29/health.medicineandhealth

[m33r]

You will be TOTALLY fine and you have done nothing wrong! If you avoided everything you'd starve! Stick to your original list and try to relax.

I know this is hard and I was like you early on but I have settled down a bit now. I had a meltdown over a mcflurry and a cold pizza but I'm fine!

I should say that because of my own ignorance cooked goats cheese is ruined for me because I got in my head i couldn't eat it so now I just don't because of the mindset which I imagine - no matter what anyone says - will be the same for you and deli ham but try not to find other things which are safe and end up tarnished through doubt!

Congrats btw!

[Pico2]

The guidance varies from country to country. I think the US might have the "no deli meats" guidance, but the UK doesn't. I have no idea what the Irish guidance might say.

I'd pick a country - probably the one I live in - and find out the official guidance for that country. Then ignore anything else you find on the internet.

[ToddlingAlong1]

Thanks everyone, you have really put my mind at ease. Thought this pregnancy lark would be easy! Haha.

[kitkat321]

You'll be fine - I regularly ate chorizo during my pregnancy and it was fine - you'll definitely be fine with ham!