Have eaten a bad bit of pre cooked chicken

[KatLP]

Hi ladies,

I feel like all I have done is worry about everything the last few weeks when I’ve been pretty calm up until now. Two days ago I ate a packet of m and s Mexican chicken bites. As I was nearly finished, I bit into the second last bit of chicken to find the texture felt strange and fatty. I immediately spat it out and smelled it and when I did it smelled foul. I’m a bit unsettled as I ate near enough the whole pack and concerned I’m now at risk of Listeria as that one bite smelled really off even though the packet had 5 days left before it was out of date. Is there anyway that I can be checked for listeria? I feel ok but know symptoms don’t always show?

Thanks

Food poisoning presents 3-12 hours after consuming whatever it is that makes you poorly.

You're fine, dont panic. Stress is worse than an upset stomach. :) I had a really really bad stomach bug for a few days when I was 7 weeks, baby was probably just laughing at me from inside as he/she is absolutely fine and I'm 14 weeks now.

You wont get food poisoning now is my original point x

Thanks for your response. I sometimes just feel all the rules and ‘don’t dos’ are so overwhelming at tines! X

They are so overwhelming!

I've been quite lenient to be honest. My mum, aunt and gran have all said they never had so many rules and look how many perfectly healthy babies were born.

Like pre packaged deli meats, I have never ever gotten sick from them, or blue cheese. So I've still had them if it's on something I like the sound of when I've been out for a meal.

The only thing I really have stopped is more than 2 cups of coffee, smoking and alcohol. All the good things I think are a bit scare mongering. The risk is so incredibly low. They dont tell you to stop eating chicken but the risk of salmonella is there so why is that not on the 'banned' list?

I live by 'everything in moderation' but some wont agree :) do what you think is right x

They dont tell you to stop eating chicken but the risk of salmonella is there so why is that not on the 'banned' list?

• I think because salmonella (while not pleasant for you) is very unlikely to do your baby any damage, whereas listeria and toxoplasmosis have the potential to be very damaging.

The chances of contracting either are very slim, but the NHS is doing its job helping people keep the risk as low as possible, if that's what they want.

The worry is awful isn’t it. I went to a bbq and spent a few days panicking about food poisoning, it never happened.

I have had two stomach viruses this pregnancy from DD (well Nursery really) and baby is totally fine. I felt dreadful at the time, but 37 weeks this week and he is all good.

I know it’s hard, but try to relax.