Cold prawns-midwife said no?

[Heyha]

My midwife told me at booking that I couldn't have cold cooked prawns (gutted, who doesn't enjoy a prawn cocktail at Christmas?) I thought this sounded odd and sure enough NHS specifically says cold cooked prawns are fine. I'm wondering if I misunderstood her or if she has just made a simple mistake, or maybe even if this is very new guidance? Has anyone else had a similar conversation? Either way I think I shall be buying some frozen raw prawns and cooking them myself so I can enjoy them in relatively clear conscience!

Il be keen to know this too!

As long as they are cooked I don't see a problem, I had them throughout pregnancy and cold and my DS is now a happy health 13 month old so can't see a problem l.

I'm hoping she means raw prawns or this little chap I'm brewing is screwed.

Yeah as long as they've been cooked you're fine

The advice used to be cooked prawns as part of a hot meal but that advice seems to have changed. She may just not have the most up to date advice

It’s about listeria risk. Raw fish is a high risk, hot cooked food very low to no risk, cooked cold prawns is a lowing risk and as such the advice changes over time although the risk doesn’t.

You digest food slower when pregnant so you are more likely to catch something from a smaller amount of bacteria being present than a non pregnant person, and listeria is obviously not good for a pregnant person.

Realistically cooked cold prawns kept refrigerated pose a very low risk.

She must've thought you meant raw? Ive eaten prawns in all pregnancies including this one. I was shocked my midwife said I could have red stamped eggs runny, and NHS says Stilton and cured meats all fine. Xx

Cured meats are fine? Going to add some to my Christmas shopping.

Nhs advice is to freeze ready to eat cured meats for 4 days before eating if not cooking it first

Becautious with coldcured meats in pregnancy

Many cold meats,such assalami,prosciutto,chorizo and pepperoni, are not cooked, they'rejust cured and fermented. This means there's a risk they containtoxoplasmosis-causing parasites.

It's best to check the instructions on the pack to see whether the product is ready to eat or needs cooking first.

For ready-to-eat meats, you can reduce any risk from parasites by freezing cured or fermented meats for 4 days at home before you eat them. Freezing kills most parasites and makes the meat safer to eat.

If you're planning to cook the meat – for instance, pepperoni on pizza– you don't need to freeze it first.

If you're eating out in a restaurant that sells cold cured or fermented meats, they may not have been frozen. If you're concerned, ask the staff or avoid eating it.

NHS advice is fine as long as it's cooked

I can't think of many things worse to eat than a raw prawn thanks for all the responses especially as you all seem to be saying the same as I'm thinking- go for it, but extra-sensibly.

Cooked cold prawns are fine!

@MorelloKisses I had no idea you digest food slower when pregnant and THAT is why some foods are risky! Every days a school day!

I think it's just that your immune system is lowered when pregnant. I have never heard that you digest food slower

You shouldn't eat raw prawns (except sweet fresh water ones) anyway - pregnant or otherwise. My understanding is as long as meat/fish is cooked you're OK. Except pate. I ate some nice deli sliced leg of ham last night. I don't see freshly chilled prawns are better/worse.

A whole host of people seem to think prawns are ‘raw fish’ which is a no no. It’s probably that.

My midwife said they were fine. It was a few years back but we aren’t talking double figures!

Just not too much as some fish have mercury or something so you have to limit fish portions. A bit is fine but a lot is not

You do digest food slower- the hormones cause this. It’s why you don’t actually need to eat all that much more when pregnant. Essentially you are more efficient at extracting what is in the food.

It has some other side effects like gas and bloating.

I've just gone by what the NHS website says, I had a pre packaged prawn mayo sandwich last week and I intend to have a prawn cocktail on Christmas Day

Funnily enough my midwife also said that Stilton was a no no, although the NHS website says it's fine as it's a hard cheese. Anyway, I'm definitely going to be enjoying some Stilton over Christmas. The advice changes so much that I don't think even the midwives can keep up with what foods are fine and which are not.

I'm just going to go by what the NHS website advises, I don't think they'd publish the advice on the official website if it wasn't well researched.

dementedpixie high levels of progesterone (found in pregnancy) cause slower digestive transit. It's why constipation is common in pregnancy. That combined with lower immune system is like bacterias dream!

My mideife said the same but I'm confident she just doesn't understand that cold doesn't equate to raw. I'm not sure everyone knows raw prawns are the grey ones!

I was worried initially when I saw the title of this thread, but I’m certain the NHS guidance says it’s fine. Just not raw. I ate prawns throughout my first pregnancy and will do with this one too. For some reason, a prawn sandwich seems to go down really well. I am very careful with refrigeration and use by dates though. I think some people’s knowlege is a little out of date. My midwife in 2016 said no prawns, despite NHS guidance saying the opposite. A couple of other people o know have advised me not to eat prawns too. Again, they weren’t up to date.