Every person has to take care of themselves to be healthy and live a healthy life. In particular, a healthy and balanced diet guarantees both a healthy life free from diseases and a longer and more comfortable life. In pregnancy, this is a little more important than in normal times. A proper and balanced diet is essential both for the development of the baby and for the expectant mother to maintain her health. Carefully researching every food consumed, knowing which foods are beneficial and which foods are harmful, will help prevent the problems that may be experienced in this process. However, some foods consumed unconsciously without realizing it can be very harmful for both the expectant mother and the baby.
Some Foodborne Infections During Pregnancy
1 . Listeriosis
This infection, caused by a bacterium called Listeria monocytogenes, is transmitted to animals through sewage. From there, it spreads through fertilizers to vegetables and fruits grown in the soil, milk and dairy products, meat and minced meat. The expectant mother can get the infection from fresh cheese, unpasteurized milk and dairy products or poorly cooked meat and minced meat. Listeriosis can have serious consequences if not treated urgently. There may be miscarriages or stillbirths, there may be a risk of premature birth, or the baby may be born sick and then develop the disease. Listeriosis often presents symptoms similar to the common cold, such as fever and chills, headache and back pain, so it is often diagnosed late. I recommend that you contact your doctor if you experience any symptoms, just in case.
2 . Salmonella
Salmonella, which is transmitted from chicken meat and eggs, reaches the digestive tract and causes food poisoning. Within 6 to 48 hours of the bacteria entering the body, symptoms such as headache and abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and chills appear. In order to avoid Salmonella, the foods consumed should be cooked properly, hand hygiene should be observed, eggs, milk, cream, etc. should not be consumed. Foods such as these should never be consumed raw.
3 . Botulism
Botulinium toxin, the active ingredient in the now very popular Botox treatment, can cause serious food poisoning. Botulism is caused by canned food and food that is not stored in proper conditions. The disease begins to appear 12-36 days after consumption of the poisoned food with preliminary symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, headache, and then continues with paralysis.
4 . Toxoplasma
Toxoplasma, which causes miscarriages or stillbirths and is thought to be transmitted by cats, is actually caused by Toxoplasma Gondii, a bacterium found in the intestines of domestic cats and spread through their feces. But for the infection to spread to a human or other animal, it must enter their mouth. In order to avoid getting this disease, hand hygiene must be ensured if you come into contact with cat feces, meat or meat products must be cooked very well and each food consumed must be washed very well.
