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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Eaten something I shouldn't, should I be getting tests?

33 replies

nunnie · 29/06/2010 10:20

I have eaten 2 soft ice creams one very early on in pregnancy and one last week on holiday. Both from beach huts.

Should I get tested to see if I have done any harm to the baby?
Or should I stop worrying and avoid them from now on?

I hate this, I tried for 4.5 years to get pregnant with DD, and did everything by the book, this time took me 2.5 years and then go and have soft ice cream without even thinking about it being a risk, I haven't really looked at guidelines this time, as most of them stuck in my head from when I had DD, but this one hasn't for some reason

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

MamaG · 29/06/2010 10:21

Don't panic - just avoid from now x

FingonTheValiant · 29/06/2010 10:22

I had no idea I was meant to avoid soft ice creams, I've eaten loads so far, and no problems at any of the scans. I think you'll be fine, but if you're going to worry yourself sick over it it's probably best to get reassurance

GoldenGreen · 29/06/2010 10:24

I don't think there is anything to test for, nunnie - either you have got food poisoning or you haven't. Since you haven't, you're fine, so no need ot worry.

FWIW I looked for official guidance on soft ice cream and couldn't find any, so carried on having them throughout both my pregnancies and all was fine.

dinosaur · 29/06/2010 10:26

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

ShinyAndNew · 29/06/2010 10:27

Oh I had far worse than soft ice cream in early pregnancy with dd1. My periods were all over the place and I did have an implantation bleed (which I thought was a period ), so I didn't even know I was pg until I was three months. Dd1 is now 6 and is perfectly healthy and as bright as a button.

Bramshott · 29/06/2010 10:28

The risk is from food poisoning, so if you didn't get food poisioning (and you'd know, wouldn't you?!) then you'll be fine.

Honestly - there are so many rules these days with very little explanation, and they are conspiring to make women doubt their own bodies. It makes me so - not with you OP, with the people who issue these random pronouncements!

Original poster

nunnie · 29/06/2010 10:31

Thank you for the reasurrance, I have had no ill affects feel fine. I will avoid from now on.

I was suprised when my midwife told me about the peanut u-turn, considering it was top of the avoid list when I was pregnant with DD, I have it on toast now, but the first few times I felt bad doing it.

OP posts:

cakeywakey · 29/06/2010 10:32

Just to echo other posters, if you haven't been ill then you'll be fine.

My M/W explained to me that it's the fact that the ice cream machines may not be cleaned regularly that is seen as the potential problem.

I haven't eaten soft ice-cream this pregnancy (and we get three ice cream vans a day down my road!) but a pregnant friend has been eating them almost daily and is fine.

You have to assess how much of an acceptable risk this kind of thing is. But don't worry about what you've already eaten, you'll be fine

EndangeredSpecies · 29/06/2010 10:32

It's very difficult to have a normal life and follow ALL pg food guidelines. I spent ten minutes yesterday in the supermarket debating whether to buy a cereal bar with peanuts in it then told myself to get a grip and just bought it. As for soft ice-creams or any other form of ice-cream I have absolutely no intention of giving them up when it is 35° in the shade...

Original poster

nunnie · 29/06/2010 10:33

I think I was having a thick moment, I thought it was listeria that was the risk. If food poisoning then I have definatly not had that, and it was over 5 days ago now.

OP posts:

Lynli · 29/06/2010 10:35

There is no need to worry. If you have soft icecream, which is dispensed by those machines that are so often not cleaned properly, then you run the risk of listeria bacteria causing a very serious form of food poisoning.

As you have not become unwell you dont need to worry.

The guidelines are about avoiding the foods that have the highest risks of being contaminated, some foods like prawns for example will become dangerous very easily. It does not mean there is anything wrong with these foods in every case.

Ten years ago it was normal for Mums to eat all of those things.

gorionine · 29/06/2010 10:37

I think if there had been something wrong with them you would know by now (diaorrhea(sp?) amongst other things.) I think the issue is about food poisonning due to possible lack of hygien not risks to damage the foetus but someone more knowledgeable will come along..

dinosaur · 29/06/2010 10:37

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

megonthemoon · 29/06/2010 10:38

Please try not to worry. You don't say you're ill, so my (completely personal non-medical) opinion is that there is probably no risk to your baby.

As I understand it with food advice, a few things (e.g. liver) are known to have a direct link with fetal development so should be avoided for that reason. But you are advised to avoid most of the other things because there is a risk that you could become ill with food poisoning, and then that could lead to a risk that you become ill enough that it harms the baby.

It might help to remember that this guidance is all just advice, not a requirement. The govt gives advice on what to avoid based on what level of risk of causing problems it considers a particular food item to have for the population at large, not because it is known that eating a particular item during pregnancy has a 100% chance of causing a problem to a specific person and their baby.

Some women are more naturally risk averse than others so will stick rigidly to the official advice (or even take a more stringent approach than the advice) while others will choose to not be as conservative. There are plenty of pregnant women (me included!) who have eaten soft ice cream this summer, so you aren't the only one

But please do talk to your midwife about it if you are still concerned and don't feel worried about doing so. I can completely understand why you are worrying given it took you a long time to get pregnant.

megonthemoon · 29/06/2010 10:40

Ah xposted with many of you,including OP (must learn to say things in one sentence rather than 5 paragraphs!). Glad you're feeling a bit less worried about it now nunnie

skihorse · 29/06/2010 10:44

Are you for real?

Wtf would they test you for? Flavour authentication?

GAFG!

There's a post like this every single day and it's getting quite ridiculous frankly.

Have you stopped riding in cars? Are you in your home? Can't you just get a load of cotton wool and wrap yourself up until your due date?

Original poster

nunnie · 29/06/2010 10:49

Thanks skihorse!

OP posts:

virgomummy · 29/06/2010 10:50

That was a little uncalled for skihorse, nunnie was only asking for reassurance!

Original poster

nunnie · 29/06/2010 10:52

If you think they are ridiculous, then why read you don't have too!

There is no need to reply and be rude!

OP posts:

DuelingFanjo · 29/06/2010 10:54

get a fucking grip? that's a bit harsh isn't it?

gorionine · 29/06/2010 10:57

TBH, when I saw the title I initially thought it was a joke thread about another thread and could very well have posted the same as Skihorse.

I think her opoint is that guidlines seem to have the down side of us not thinking anymore and just following without questionning. + it makes pregnant women more and more anxious and worried to have done/eaten something wrong. I agree we need to use our common sense a bit more.

vmcd28 · 29/06/2010 10:59

skilhorse, that was a bit harsh!!
I agree that SOME people post ridiculous questions, but when you realise you've eaten something you shouldn't have, it sends you into a bit of a worry. And if you've had previous problems eg TTC or MCs, then you'll worry a lot more.
I think the OP was saying she was worried that listeria would be in her system without her knowing it.
Pregnant women ARE more at risk of getting things like listeria, hence why they're told to avoid things that ordinarily dont cause problems. I believe that the baby can be affected if there's listeria in the system, but the mum-to-be would have some symptoms - even quite mild ones.
If you've had no symptoms, dont worry.

Original poster

nunnie · 29/06/2010 11:02

Thank you vmcd28.

OP posts:

nigglewiggle · 29/06/2010 11:02

Some homemade icecream can be made with raw egg. I wouldn't think any from a shop or kiosk would be as it has a very limited shelf-life.

I remember the many hormone-induced worries about all manner of things. I think it's quite normal, so ignore the mockers, but try to relax.

daytoday · 29/06/2010 11:02

You can get a very simple blood test to see if you have suffered some sort of food poisening. I had one when pregnant with my second.

Background, I had recurrent miscarriages after my first, so was joyous to be pregnant at last but terrified as well. Followed the food rules carefully then found out that I had eaten something wrong - doh!

Now, I knew the risk was minimal - but my anxiety was very high, due to miscarriages - so hospital did simple blood test - can't remember what it was called . Results came back fine - and I resumed pregnancy without this extra anxiety.

If you are worried - get a blood test. You don't have to answer to anyone here on these boards - do whatever helps you get through this pregnancy as calmly and happily as possible.

Pregnancy is about state of mind as well as state of body.

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