Forbidden foods: I may have got listeria or E.coli from mung bean sprouts?!!

[sophiesiobhan]

Hello hivemind
I'm 5 weeks pregnant after IVF. Which is a joy. However… I was ill last night after eating (unwashed) organic mung bean sprouts - that bloomin' Gillian Mceith woman - I read her book and bean sprouts was the main thing that stuck in my head so I blame her! :)
Amidst being ill, I went to the fridge and saw the packet said 'wash before use' - which prompted hours on Google activity, reading articles that said how mung bean sprouts, alfalfa, cress etc were high risk for listeria and E.coli because of how they are grown (i.e. in water). Organic is even worse - since they are fertilised with manure.
So here I am thinking I've damaged my poor embryo…
I've even ordered a home testing kit to test for E.coli - but no such thing for listeria.
Has any one else been ill from bean sprouts of unwashed organic salads, had a blood test for listeria or been given antibiotics? Can anyone advise?
And talking of other forbidden foods, does anyone have a definitive list - man, it's a minefield, seems to vary from country to country…

Thank you for any thoughts!

I think you will be fine. I know a lot of people who eat mung bean sprouts and not one who has got listeria.

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/listeriosis/Pages/introduction.aspx

If you were only sick once, it's unlikely that you have got listeriosis. However, if you are really worried about it, and continue to be sick, then go to your GP and ask for a blood test. Keep the mung bean packet, that can be tested as well.

The link I have given shows a list of foods that might be a problem for Listeria.

Please don't panic. It could have been anything that made you sick and there's lots of sick bugs around at this time of year.

When I was pregnant with my first I git a full on horrendous bout of food poisoning, puking every 15 minutes for 24 hours. I was totally panicked! The GP told me you can puke up a baby get a hold of yourself woman.

She was right. Drink plenty and stay calm.

Have you considered it might just be morning sickness? Mine usually kicks off at about 5-6 weeks...

Um you can't Puke up a baby. Clearly.

One vomit is almost certainly not listeriosis. But if you are worried, call the GP.

Also, I know you will be extra super protective of your baby (congratulations by the way!) because of the IVF but forbidden foods do vary a lot from country to country. The only thing you must really avoid is vitamin A. No liver and pâte and no non-pregnancy multivitamins. Vit À is absolutely toxic. Everything else is dealing with risks and chances which is why it is variable. So you choose about ham and salad and alcohol and caffeine etc etc etc

atomic - but even the liver thing is dose dependent. Small amounts of liver are not a big issue. It's large amounts of vitamin A which, as you say, are toxic. For example, Swedish pregnancy advice allows moderate portions of liver pate and actually recommends them for iron intake.

Thank you everyone for your reassuring words.
Now, atomic yoghurt you now got me worried about vitamins (the neurosis is a new thing - guess it's my first ever pregnancy so I'm allowed…!).

Today I took a non pregnancy vitamin pill - since I ran out of my regular ones. I know about the toxicity issue but read that if it's beta-carotene rather then retinol then you're ok. And this pill has beta-carotene. So I'm hoping what I read was correct and that I haven't doubly poisoned my baby :)

Um this is true penguins but because the body actually makes vit A from other dietary sources it really is best avoided in sources where the concentration is so high. Especially when you can get iron from foodstuffs that don't carry such a risk!

Beta-carotene is not associated with birth defects! Sorry to panic you sophie.

The neurosis will continue until your baby is an adult and possible beyond that. Get used to it!

Ha ha, thanks atomic (Get me, I'm a mums net newbie but I just learnt how to embolden your handle…) Let the fun begin!

I am now going to calm down and watch Death comes to Pemberley on my iPad in bed!

True Atomic. I really mentioned it because there ia another current thread with someone panicking about accidentally eating pate. As a once off (or in this case twice ) there is really no reason to worry unduly.

I know I just couldn't resist prawns when I was pregnant. Which I remember having been told was a big no no. I really couldn't resist them though!

Prawns are fine! Not a big no-no at all. I guess you could get food poisoning from them, but what are the chances? I love prawns, they are my favourite food, and not once in nearly 40 years have they made me ill.

I had food poisoning at 4/5 weeks and felt awful but I'm now 36w and all is well so try not to worry.

All countries are different as you said so I follow nhs guidelines nhs guidelines

You can eat a lot more than you think so don't worry :) congratulations