Reheated pizza but only to Luke warm

[m33r]

Hi there.

I'm normally pretty rational but am having a bit of a meltdown. Last night I reheated a pizza which I'd started eating at 5pm and wanted to finish around 8pm. When I reheat pizza, it's just to take the 'chill' out of it (do this all the time when not pg). Then last night when I couldn't sleep it occurred to me that I shouldn't have done this. Consulted dr google - mistake! Anyone offer reassurance or ought i to be calling gp? I'm 9+2.

Thanks!

[Rainbow555]

Did it have meat on?

[CoolCat2014]

Tbh you'd probably know by now if it was an issue, you'd be camped out on the toilet!

Yes you should heat to piping hot, but the ingredients in pizza aren't the most likely to give you food poisoning. If you did suffer an upset tummy your baby should be fine. I suffered terrible IBS to start with and baby is healthy. If you do get ill (unlikely) phone drs then, the most important thing would be staying hydrated.

[m33r]

Some chicken...

[Redling]

You'd know by now if you had food poisoning. It's not the food itself that would harm the baby, it's the very very slim chance that you get food poisoning. So if you haven't, then no problem.

[m33r]

Thanks redling. I feel so silly but you just worry about everything... !

[m33r]

Thanks cat.

[CabbagePatchCheryl]

I know this isn't particularly comforting but actually most food poisoning bugs take between 8 and 72 hours to incubate so people saying you'd know by now aren't quite right. However, pizza isn't a super high-risk food AFAIK so the chances are you will be absolutely fine. No point ringing the GP (nothing they could do) unless you get any symptoms.

Honestly, please don't worry - it's what redling said - slightly iffy pizza itself won't harm the baby. And the chance of you getting food poisoning is pretty slight. AND even if you did, it would, in all likelihood, be fine so long as you saw the doctor at that point.

(But please, while you're pg (and afterwards) if you reheat anything it should be piping hot - that's what kills the bacteria that develop after the first heating/cooking.)

[m33r]

Thanks cabbage. I can't believe I did it! I should also confess that I had a bit of a stomach ache (but not sure if it's the way I was sitting) so then, when I couldn't sleep for worry (stomach ache gone by then) I made myself sick. I honestly think I've lost the plot... I read about listeriosis and apparently I wouldn't get symptoms for that for weeks...

[CabbagePatchCheryl]

Oh honey, I am exactly like this - I get so worried about things that I actually end up being ill just from the stress, I think. Your tummy ache was almost certainly just indigestion from cheesey, starchy pizza and being pg! Please don't ever make yourself sick - you are supposed to be looking after yourself!

I also have the same tendency you seem to when consulting Dr Google - I focus on the horrifying bits and am totally blind to the comforting bits. You seem to have missed the following facts:

• even though you are at higher risk when pg, listeriosis is still rare.
  
• listeriosis is not usually harmful in pregnancy if treated. All those horrible consequences are of untreated listeriosis.
  

(Those are from the NHS and Babycentre btw).

Now, tell me what are the chances that if you experienced flu-like symptoms and severe stomach upset, you wouldn't go straight to the doc??

You'll be fine. Please stop stressing - be nicer to yourself. xx

[m33r]

Thanks again cabbage. I've had a little cry on your post. I don't know what I'd do without MN and people like you guys taking the time to respond.

So, as long as I don't get symptoms, I'm ok do we think?

[CabbagePatchCheryl]

ABSOLUTELY!! Take a big deep breath and tell yourself you are fine. Because you are.

If you experience any flu-like symptoms, you should go to the GP. But I am sure you won't.

In the meantime, focus on taking care of yourself- eat something lovely and clean and healthy, give yourself a little pedicure, have an hour with a magazine or nice tv show, anything that will give you a sense of wellbeing.

Big hand-holds coming from me. I'm watching this thread so come back if you start to panic again.

[CabbagePatchCheryl]

Ooh by the way - I meant I am sure you won't experience any symptoms, not I am sure you won't go to the GP!

[m33r]

Thanks cabbage. Out with my lovely dm which is calming me down no end. Thank you again x

[CabbagePatchCheryl]

Good lass. Day out with DM sounds just the job

[squizita]

If it caused an issue, you'd be very sick. You'd know. Also even many food poisonings don't threaten pregnancy.

Miscarriage due to food poisoning is incredibly rare. Do not worry if you forgot "the rules" once.

[m33r]

Thanks squiz x

[GailLondon]

So this wasn't pizza that you were re- heating the next day? It was just a couple of hours since it was first cooked?? Of course it's going to be ok. There's no way your food could have gone off in such a short period of time.