pregnantmother77: Food poisoning (also known as foodborne illness or food-related illness) is caused by eating food that has been contaminated by bacteria, viruses or parasites. Food can become contaminated by these microorganisms at any time before you eat it, including at home during:
handling
storing
cooking
There are many signs of food poisoning, but most types cause one or more of the following:
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
stomach pain and cramps
fever and chills
Symptoms can start within hours after eating the contaminated food, or sometimes not until days or even weeks later. Usually, people recover quickly and completely.
However, food poisoning sometimes causes serious complications, including death. This is the case for people who are more at risk for both food poisoning and related health complications, like pregnant women.
Food poisoning and pregnant women
Because of all the changes happening in your body, you and your unborn baby are at an increased risk of food poisoning. Your immune system is weakened, so it could be harder for you to fight off infections.
Some bacteria, such as Listeria can go through the placenta. So if you become sick, there is an increased risk that your baby could get infected. Your unborn baby’s immune system is not developed enough to fight off harmful bacteria.
Food poisoning can be even more dangerous to your baby’s health than to yours. If you develop food poisoning during the first 3 months of pregnancy, it can cause a miscarriage. It if happens later in the pregnancy, it can cause your baby to be born prematurely. Food poisoning can also cause a stillbirth or a baby who is born very ill. Because your baby depends on you for everything it needs, it is very important that you be careful about what you eat and how you store, prepare and cook your food.
This guide offers helpful advice on how to reduce your risk of food poisoning.
Safe food alternatives for pregnant women
Some types of food can be a higher risk for pregnant women because of how they are produced and stored. To lower your chances of getting food poisoning, you should avoid those foods. The following chart can help you make safer food choices
storing
cooking
There are many signs of food poisoning, but most types cause one or more of the following:
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
stomach pain and cramps
fever and chills
Symptoms can start within hours after eating the contaminated food, or sometimes not until days or even weeks later. Usually, people recover quickly and completely.
However, food poisoning sometimes causes serious complications, including death. This is the case for people who are more at risk for both food poisoning and related health complications, like pregnant women.
Food poisoning and pregnant women
Because of all the changes happening in your body, you and your unborn baby are at an increased risk of food poisoning. Your immune system is weakened, so it could be harder for you to fight off infections.
Some bacteria, such as Listeria can go through the placenta. So if you become sick, there is an increased risk that your baby could get infected. Your unborn baby’s immune system is not developed enough to fight off harmful bacteria.
Food poisoning can be even more dangerous to your baby’s health than to yours. If you develop food poisoning during the first 3 months of pregnancy, it can cause a miscarriage. It if happens later in the pregnancy, it can cause your baby to be born prematurely. Food poisoning can also cause a stillbirth or a baby who is born very ill. Because your baby depends on you for everything it needs, it is very important that you be careful about what you eat and how you store, prepare and cook your food.
This guide offers helpful advice on how to reduce your risk of food poisoning.
Safe food alternatives for pregnant women
Some types of food can be a higher risk for pregnant women because of how they are produced and stored. To lower your chances of getting food poisoning, you should avoid those foods. The following chart can help you make safer food choices
