Scheherezadea - whilst I am thrilled for you that you are so very highly qualified and experienced in such matters, I was merely highlighting the point that lots of people say "oh I ate X forbidden food and my kids are fine" by saying that in the 70's my Mum ate X forbidden food and my brother wasn't and isn't fine. In both cases food may or may not be the reason, but this morning when I read this thread I felt I wanted to put my oar in as yet again people seemed to be stating their individual case as fact. In the same way, most people know of a 99 year old who smokes 40 a day and swears by drinking whiskey all the time (or whatever), however I think most people would agree they aren't sensible choices to make if you intend on living to a grand old age. I'm not about to go in to a laboratory and state it as fact, or try and claim it is conclusive research based on a sample of one. (But thank you so much for thinking that I am stupid enough to be pushing that as a definitive argument).
Also, I am not claiming to be some sort of dietary expert (very pleased for you that you know all the ins and outs). I am just a pregnant lady who has looked at the advice (note: advice, not rules) given by the medical profession and has decided to stick to them. Whatever else other pregnant ladies want to do is up to them, but I am SHOCKED! that so many people seem to think it is fine to ridicule people who have decided to stop drinking alcohol or skip a few particular foods for a few short months just in case.
As I said before, worst case scenario I miss out on my beloved brie sandwiches for 9 months for no good reason. But as the OP stated, for some of us, the potential risks aren't worth taking regardless of how much we miss a bit of cheese. If you disagree with the reported risks, then fine - good for you, I am obviously a more risk adverse person that you. But to be critisised for it, and have "oh pregnant French women eat nothing but brie, pate and red wine" stereotypes bandied around is pretty frustrating and I reacted accordingly.
Now, I'm sure you (and others) will chortle at my 'stupidity', but at least I feel comfortable with my decisions, and know that in my mind (which is obviously much much tinier than yours) I am making the best choices for my baby.