Listeria fear

[CraftyZebra]

I just put some ready made mashed potato’s - the tesco finest mashed in a pot on the stove. I tried to mash it, it was quite thick so I added milk. I’m not sure if I heated it long enough but it stirred through and wasn’t clumping. It didn’t feel hot to taste but warm. Worried about the listeria risk…I did burn some milk on the bottom of the pot, only thing is I’m not sure if all the mashed potato’s were that hot.

Anyone have any advise for listeria panic?

You are allowed pasteurized milk, you will be fine. Don't worry. I've been drinking glasses of it! X

My concern is more the mashed potato’s and if they got hot enough tbh

Have you spoken to your midwife yet about your anxiety? You post so frequently about things that really are non-events. Not trying to belittle your worries, but the things you're panicking about are so, so unlikely to be of any risk to you or your baby. Whereas the extreme anxiety you're experiencing is potentially harmful.

It's already cooked
Please take a step back and look objectively at all these small things you worry about

I'm so sorry you're still feeling so anxious. I've mentioned on some of your other posts but I've suffered from severe OCD at various points as have some other posters. I've experienced it very badly in pregnancy in particular. What you're experiencing seems very much like bad OCD. Your posts are all very reassurance seeking which is classic OCD. The reassurance provides temporary relief but then the cycle of obsession and compulsion starts again.

Have you spoken to the doctor or midwife to get help with this? It's absolutely vital that you get support for this - it's a horrible thing to be going through at any time but particularly in pregnancy. I know how real OCD fears feel but the danger to you and baby here is not Listeria but mental health. Please seek urgent support for this and keep us updated. Xxx

There is absolutely nothing wrong with what you have eaten. I have commented on some of your other threads, you need to speak to your midwife or someone else about your severe anxiety, it really isn't healthy for you or baby

I have spoken to professionals. The intense worry just still continues.

You need to do more than speak to them. You need to be under the perinatal mental health team and to talk to them about medication, therapy and coping strategies other than reassurance-seeking.

I am doing all of that

I ask ChatGPT most of my queries - might be easier than posting continuously. However what I will say is that I’ve just had a look at your posts…

Challenging your irrational thoughts and trying to break this cycle of ocd and panic would be really worthwhile here - you could even try some clinical hypnotherapy. I hope you can arrange some counselling support if you’re not already!

You need to stop posting now OP and find other ways to manage this, the repeated posts are clearly making things worse.

Sorry