Please can someone put my mind at rest. I'm freaking out.

[BirthdayKake]

I'm 18+4 and for the past few weeks I've been having salami sandwiches every day. I didn't realise the dangers regarding toxoplasmosis as even though I've been pregnant before, there was no ban on salami then!

I am absolutely terrified that I've now infected my baby with toxoplasmosis and she's going to be severely disabled or stillborn. I'm not going to eat any more and I feel so guilty but my sickness has been awful and it's one thing I could tolerate for lunch :(

Can anyone advise/reassure me?

If you freeze it for a few days first it's ok to eat. Or have it cooked on pizza and in other dishes

From nhs

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.

@BirthdayKake I've no experience, but I wouldn't beat yourself up about it. If you're concerned speak to your midwife as they'll be the best person to put your mind at rest, as with many of these things the risks are low, so try not to panic. X

I think the risk is extremely low, assuming you've been buying your salami from a supermarket or reputable butcher rather than a van in the street. 'Expecting Better' by Emily Osler has a good chapter on this, where she describes her literature research based on which she decided she would not avoid deli meats in her own pregnancy. (The book is generally pretty awesome by the way!)

I don't think there's much reason to worry but you can request a toxoplasmosis blood test from your midwife/GP if you want to be sure. My midwife was happy to add it to my standard blood tests when I asked if I could have one because I have cats and worry about their litter box. If you mention you've eaten cold meats I'm sure they'd do one for you.

Thanks for the replies. I haven't frozen or cooked any of it!

I did wonder about the blood test but that can only say if I have been infected with it (which could have happened at any time) and not if the baby has it, so I don't think that will help my anxiety!!

Hm, are you sure it would pick up old infections? I thought it was only positive if you had an infection in the last few weeks. And surely for the baby to have it, you must have also had it? Although I must say I'm also confused about this - I wanted to know whether I'd had it before from having grown up with cats, as that would mean I would be immune now, but the GP said the lab hadn't tested for immunity but only for current infections. Have you asked about it? Perhaps the GP can give a clearer answer than the midwife (at least mine is pretty useless!).

But regardless, I think you really don't need to worry about it. The whole toxoplasmosis/listeria from meat advice seems to be a bit outdated with modern food safety standards, as long as you buy from a trustworthy source and practise good hygiene at home. Maybe just go cold turkey on the salami now to put your mind at ease.

I ate nearly a whole packet of gone off smoked salmon when I was 16weeks pregnant (didn't realise it was gone off thought my taste buds were just off as I suffered terrible hyperemesis and everything tasted gross) and baby is all fine and well. I freaked out too. Completely normal too but honestly I reckon your little one if safe and sound in there 😊

I think so hipstercat, because once you have it you're immune to it. Unless it picks up the immunity?? Definitely not going to eat anymore, I'm starting to go off it anyway!

Thank you s888. I ate loads of smoked salmon in December but I'm not worried about that at all. Hopefully it wasn't gone off. It was DH making all my food lol

So my baby is nearly 4 weeks old and I ate salami and cold meats the whole way through my pregnancy (2nd pregnancy at that) and had no clue

@littleleeleanne thank you! And congratulations :)

I did more research now and feel a bit better. 0.01% babies are born with congenital Toxoplasma which is such a small amount, and I've got my 20 week scan in 10 days so hopefully we can see if there any major issues