For Your Baby's Sake, Eat Safe! Preventing Listeriosis among Pregnant Women
Food Safety Guidelines
Pregnant women are 20 times more likely to contract listeriosis, a foodborne illness caused by the bacteria L. monocytogenes. The risk of infection increases when eating ready-to-eat foods like sliced deli meats, hot dogs, smoked fish, other processed deli foods, raw and unpasteurized milk, contaminated pasteurized milk, soft cheeses, and uncooked items found at salad bars. The following food safety guidelines are designed to help protect you and your baby.
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What should I expect if I contract Listeriosis?
Once infected, you might not have any symptoms, or you might experience flu like symptoms (fever, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, headache) for a few days. If the infection professes to the nervous system, you might experience headaches, a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, seizures, or pregnancy-related issues, such as miscarriage or the death of your baby.
Infection can take from 4 days or even up to to 5 weeks after eating contaminated food. Listeriosis then passes through the placenta to the fetus (your baby). Call your doctor if you have:
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How can this affect your baby?
If a mother contracts listeria, it can impact the fetus, potentially resulting in miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature birth. If the baby is born alive, they may develop serious conditions such as meningitis or sepsis due to maternal listeriosis, with a high risk of death—approximately 50% of affected newborns may not survive beyond a few hours after birth. This is why, it is vital to practice the safety recommendations below to keep you and your baby safe.
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How to keep you and your baby safe
By taking simple preventive steps, you can ensure the safety of both you and your baby through proper cooking and food handling, maintaining good food hygiene, and avoiding eating certain foods during pregnancy. If you have more questions about food safety during your pregnancy, contact your doctor.
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This information is intended to provide you with evidence-based food safety recommendations. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding listeriosis and your pregnancy. Also, visit another For Your Baby's Sake program, Preventing Toxoplasmosis during Pregnancy.
Recommended Citation
DeCarli, J. (2000). Preventing Listeriosis Among Pregnant Women. School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University.
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