Would you risk one steak?

[CookingProblem]

We always go out for steak on Christmas eve, it's tradition. I'll be 32 weeks pregnant This year. I normally get medium rare but would you risk it just once? I'd get it done medium well.

[moreismore]

I ate medium well steak throughout both pregnancies so... yes! I think the risk is minute, enjoy your meal

[Heymummee]

I ate steak medium throughout my second pregnancy and I’m fine. It’s to do with the risk of food poisoning, if you’re confident it’s cooked correctly then you’ll be fine!

[Lunafortheloveogod]

Mine were medium besides two dp cremated.. we lived to tell the tale. But we also frozen ours first (3 days apparently helps kill bacteria too).

[Yurtle]

It’s not to do with food poisoning. It’s to do with toxoplasmosis. From the NHS website: Raw or undercooked meat is risky in pregnancy

Do not eat raw or undercooked meat, including meat joints and steaks cooked rare, because of the potential risk of toxoplasmosis.

Cook all meat and poultry thoroughly so it's steaming hot and there's no trace of pink or blood – especially with poultry, pork, sausages and minced meat, including burgers.

So no pink steak. Up to you about how you judge the risk of course.

[Klouise777]

Nope I wouldn't. The risk is toxomaplosis (spelling?) causes all kids of issues if you get it while pregnant to the unborn child which normally are discovered later in life. It's not worth the risk. Check NHS website for full clarification.

[Klouise777]

*kinds not kids

[SparkleUK]

I went to a steakhouse (nearly didn't after having a meltdown worrying!) and just told them I was pregnant.
They suggested how it should be cooked and explained it was to do with the blood so I think as long as it's completely sealed.
The chef's wife had been pregnant recently too so he understood thankfully!

[simplekindoflife]

I think you'll be fine in this country with a medium well steak. I wouldn't go for anything under that though, it's just not worth the risk for one meal?!

[PooWillyBumBum]

I'm married to someone partially sighted due to undercooked beef during my mother in laws pregnancy (toxoplasmosis). My husband will never drive, struggles to see signs at train stations/the television/people's faces more than a meter or so away. So, no!

[PooWillyBumBum]

The "I did it and I was fine" argument will be true for most, obviously not 100% of all mothers contract toxoplasmosis, just as not all drink drivers kill people and not all heavy smokers get lung cancer. Honestly, I'd order something else or get it well done and get a lovely sauce and side to console yourself.

[minipie]

Medium well is fine - it’s not pink. Just get the restaurant to make sure it’s cooked all the way through with no pink left.

Personally I wouldn’t bother with steak that isn’t pink though, it isn’t nearly as nice. Have some (fully cooked) pork or something instead!

[Aneley]

I wouldn't risk it, not for one evening of pleasure knowing what could happen 'if'.

[tryagain20]

I wouldn't. That toxo whatever illness you can get is really, really serious. Have a read of ' expecting better ' which is actually super balanced and not over the top at all. It explains exactly why this toxo can be such a big deal. I would absolutely avoid anything that could cause it.

[Berrylove]

I had my steak done medium well all the way through my pregnancy, I can’t remember but I’m pretty sure it was nhs that said it’s fine as long as it’s cooked fully on the outside and done properly. The risk of getting ill is just the same as it would be if you weren’t pregnant, just the affect would be a lot worse.

[Cohle]

Medium well is fine but personally I'd just order something else because I hate overcooked steak!

The risk of toxoplasmosis is obviously very small by the impact is so severe that I wouldn't take any risks with it personally.

[fonxey]

It's o one of the did advice i did actually follow. Personally steak isn't worth eatg unless it is properly rare so i haven't had a decent bit of steak for ages.

It's up to you but if have it medium well done if but well done.

[Angelinthenightx]

I would get it well done,you can have your steak the way u want it once your baby is here,its worth the risk no matter how small the risk is.
I gave up steak when i was pregnant as i like it rare,now i have a lovely 6wk old she was worth giving up steak for.its upto u what u do but it may make u worry.

[LolaSmiles]

If you have it medium with no blood seeping out then you're probably ok with a small amount of pink, which can go on one side if it's too much.

If you are only going to enjoy it medium rare then I wouldn't take the risk. It's not worth it.

I also second a PP mentioning the Expecting Better book. Someone suggested to me on here and it's been brilliant for reference.

[Spacerader]

I honestly didn’t even know this was a thing, it has been 13 years since I was pregnant mind. And I can’t really recall eating steak through my last pregnancies.

But, if I was to know I’d go for a medium, anything above that is not worth eating so I’d pick another option. Steak houses tend to do some decent options aside from steak.

[Notverygrownup]

Don't risk it, but get yourself a little notebook. On one page write I O U one medium rare steak. It's a voucher to be cashed in whenever you fancy at any stage in the future, without feeling guilty. Use each page for a different treat - soft cheese, a large glass of wine, a bowl of Chinese prawns - whatever you pass on this Christmas, stick it in your book. Then one day when your little one hasn't slept for a week, it's raining too hard to go for a walk and you have watched The Night Garden on loop for two hours, you dig out your book and choose one of your vouchers to cash in that day . . . .

[EstebanTheMagnificent]

I consider any steak cooked medium or more to be a waste of a cow so I didn’t have steak when eating out. I did, however, eat rare steak which I had previously frozen for at least three days to minimise the risk.

[Kinsters]

I got a blood test to see whether I'd already had toxoplasmosis and it was so worth the money. I found out I'm immune already and it removed a lot of worry.

[anxioussue]

I wouldn't personally because of how bad I'd feel if it did happen

[Crawley65]

The risk is small but I’d have something else this year. The nagging worry would take away the pleasure of the meal.

[BillywilliamV]

At 32 weeks your baby is fully developed, he/ she is just growing. Toxoplasmosis is I longer an issue.
One of the most valuable things they could teach pregnant women is risk assessment!