How to get Pregnant » Food Poisoning During Pregnancy
Food Poisoning During Pregnancy
Food poisoning is a common, usually mild, but sometimes deadly illness. Typical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea that occur suddenly after consuming a contaminated food or drink. Depending on the contaminant, fever and chills, bloody stools, dehydration, and nervous system damage may follow.
Food poisoning can be deadly, even so once you are pregnant. If you are suspected towards food poisoning, here is what you must do and must know.
Food Poisoning and Pregnancy
Food poisoning is said to have a potential risk to the fetus and in the worst cases is associated with miscarriage and stillbirth. The actual risk depends on what kind of food poisoning you fall prey to, as well as on the stage of your pregnancy and your general health. In most cases you can suffer about of food poisoning and your baby will be completely fine, but you will have to be careful not to suffer from dehydration, which can have fatal consequences.
E. coli, salmonella and campylobacteriosis are bacterial infections which in some cases can cause illness to the fetus. An infected fetus may suffer health problems after birth including diarrhea and fever, and in rare cases even meningitis. Salmonella and campylobacteriosis infections can in some circumstances lead to stillbirth.
Listeriosis is a particularly nasty form of food poisoning which can make both you and your baby dangerously ill. During pregnancy, Listeriosis is associated with premature delivery, and more rarely, miscarriage and stillbirth. After birth, infected babies may suffer complications that range from the unpleasant to the potentially fatal. The bacteria can be found in many places including: many raw foods, chilled pre-cooked foods such as fish, deli meats, chicken etc. undercooked foods - particularly meat and fish - pre-packaged salads and coleslaws and vegetables which haven't been well washed.
Toxoplasmosis is one parasitic infection that is associated with health problems if passed on to a developing fetus, with potential problems ranging from developmental abnormalities to miscarriage or stillbirth. Soil, undercooked meat and cat litter are the most common sources of infection.
Thus you should avoid food poisoning by all means. You should practice good food hygiene, as well as to avoid certain foods which carry a higher risk of contamination.
If you do fall ill from food poisoning the most important thing to do is to stay hydrated. Make sure you rest and concentrate on your recovery, don't be tempted to push on through the pain. For any symptoms that you feel which may lead you to suspect food poisoning, you have to tell your doctor about it.
During Pregnancy