Food Poisoning Neurosis

[SUBRINA]

You'll probably all think I'm nuerotic on this one, but I need some reassurance. When I was pregnant with my first child I was absoutely neurotic about food-poisoning, to the extent that I wouldn't eat meat unless prepeared in my own house, never bought processed meats (even vacuum packed ones), avoided sausages, pre-prepared salads, ice-cream, cream cakes and milk-shakes, just in case they weren't prepared in a sterile environment. I used to worry the whole time if I ate out, that a dish could contain uncooked egg etc.

I am now 26 weeks pregnant with my second child and having seen how relaxed most of my friends are in comparison have been a little more adventurous. For example - I will eat a ham sandwich if bought from a reputable outlet. My question is...re toxoplasmosis etc, if I WERE to contract it, would I know? i.e. would I have symptons? My worst fear is that I get infected, infect my baby, but live in blissfull ignorance. Any medics amongst us?

Sorry for being so silly, Subrina.

Hi subrina, sorry can't really help with your question, but do sympathise as I tend to worry about this sort of thing (am 18 weeks pregnant with 2nd baby). I'm sure you'll get some useful info from "the fountain of knowledge" (mumsnet users!)

During my first pregnancy I had to avoid meat and chicken and other smelly foods as much as possible, simply because I felt ill (and supermarket chickens reminded me of foetuses).

During this pregnancy (18wks now)even though I have had more sickness, I crave the most disgusting junk food, especially cheap meat. Have driven around for hours looking for doner kebab and have just polished off some frankfurters. Basically, all the stuff that is likely to make you ill.

It is probably wise to avoid takeaways etc during pregnancy (especially since the research showing food-workers dont wash their hands after the loo). I'm just not a good example right now.

I believe I have found a kindred spirit in you Subrina re. food poisoning. I am 19 weeks with no. 2 and am even more paranoid than with no. 1. My worry has been Listeria especially since eating some lovely lamb chump (pink in middle but was delicious) and a plate of smoked salmon. The stats. are in my favour but would you ever know you'd had it with no symptoms? I am also like you, clucks, in that I don't think I've eaten as much junk food in my life as I have in the last 3 months. Strange isn't it. (Although avoiding chicken since a nasty bout of campylobacter at beg. of January this year). My SIL is a dietician and she has said that as long as you avoid the obvious (blue cheeses etc), and eat a balanced diet (which I would like to think I do anyway) then there is no reason for there to be any problems.

Thanks everyone. Sunflower, you have confirmed my worst suspicions that you don't have symptons, but also put my mind at rest in terms of how rare it actually is. I HAVE been avoiding the obvious risks and so I guess I just need to chill out a little bit and get on with things! Tigerfeet, reference your lamb - apparently it is far more dangerous to eat an undercooked beefburger as the meat is minced. With a steak - the rationale is that even if slightly pink inside, the meat is 'sealed' so to speak from baceteria - although they don't recommend eating it really rare! So everyone else try not to worry too - Subrina!