I am 5 months pregnant and have been eating soft cheese and deli meats, is this going to harm the baby?

Answer 1

You can contract listeria (listeriosis) from unpasteurized cheeses and packaged lunch meats (fresh meat sliced at the deli counter is fine). Listeria is more commonly contracted by pregnant women because their immune systems are compromised (so that your body doesn't attack the baby). If you get it, your symptoms will vary from none at all to a serious uterine infection, which could cause preterm labor and/or death of the baby.

If you do eat packaged meats, heat them until they are steaming to kill any bacteria. Also, there are many alternative soft cheeses that are pasteurized now-a-days, so read the labels and buy only those ones if you cannot go without.

Answer 2

Those are two number one things that physicians, books, websites and anyone will tell you NOT TO EAT!!! Yes they can harm the baby. Some deli meats are not handled properly in the deli and especially soft cheeses, you never know if they've been kept at the correct temperatures...Along with bacteria that manifests inside of the meats and cheeses. I'd let your physician know that you've been eating that stuff ASAP and refrain from eating that stuff from now on

Answer 3

I think that you have heard about the listerious bacteria. I wouldn't worry about what you've done so far, but in the future you should microwave your meat for about 30 seconds to kill the bacteria if there is any and avoid feta cheese or goat cheese. Just ask your doctor. You do probably want to stay away from foods that are processed and high in sodium, such as deli meat. Just do everything in moderation!

Answer 4

CEREALS Rice and Oatmeal cereals are the least of the allergenic grains and thus most babies are started out with those cereals. You don't HAVE to start with cereal - try avocado instead or banana. FRUITS May be served raw after 8 months old or earlier if the fruits are soft and baby does not have digestion troubles – bananas and avocados do NOT need to be cooked ever. VEGGIES Always serve cooked until after 12 months old or when baby can chew well enough so that no choking hazard is present. PROTEIN Always serve cooked with no pink areas – NEVER give a small baby/child raw meat or fish DAIRY NEVER replace breast milk or formula until after 12 months of age – serious health risks are possible. Never give a child under the age of 2yrs old low fat or skim milk products; whole milk is necessary.

Answer 5

Yeah they say not to eat soft cheese and deli meats cause it carry's a bactria called listeria and deli meat also carry's it to. If your going to eat anything make sure the label says pasteurized milk. I would stop eating soft cheese and deli meats.

Answer 6

Ask your doctor.

Most will tell you that soft cheese (like Bleu cheese) and deli meats carry a certain risk of bacteria. Not exactly something you want in your system.

Just ask your doctor.

Also, I HATE when people say "well I did it and my kids turned out fine!" each person is different. If you want to play it safe, hold off on those snacks until you speak with your doctor.

Answer 7

The reason they caution women against eating those foods while pregnant is because of the risk of food borne illness. While you CAN, I would advise against it. They say that if you want to eat deli meat, make sure it is heated to piping hot first so that the germs are killed (obviously you can let it cool down before eating).

Answer 8

As long as you stay away from spreadable cheeses like gooda and such it is ok to eat cheese. Also, deli meat is not good for a pregnant woman if it is pre-packaged. If you get it from the deli counter in a grocery store you are allowed.

Answer 9

My doctor told me soft cheese is fine as long as it is made with pastuerized milk, and I went right out and bought a wheel of brie as soon as she told me that. Although I understand why they say those things should be avoided, every time I mention it to my mother she rolls her eyes and says "Well its a wonder any of us turned out alright". I wouldn't do a ton of it (just because its not exactly the most nutrition rich food and you and your baby needs nutrition right now), but I doubt its going to harm your baby if you eat brie or a bologna sandwich any more than it hurt us or our parents or our grandparents when our mothers ate those things while pregnant.

Answer 10

Have you been eating ALOT of it? I have heard deli meats is not the best thing as is any kind of milk that has not been pasturized. Ask your dr, every lady is different