Food Poisoning in Pregnancy

Medically reviewed by:

Dr Dan Bunstone - Medical Officer

Updated: Aug 18, 2021

Next review: Aug 18, 2022

Any illness can be of concern if you are pregnant, and food poisoning is no different.

Even though most cases will be harmless to you and your baby, in pregnancy, food poisoning shouldn’t simply be dismissed, as it can lead to dehydration, which can be very dangerous. There is also one strain of food poisoning caused by listeria bacteria, which can be very harmful in pregnancy - we will cover this in more detail below.

Food poisoning while you are pregnant is likely to affect you in the same way as any other person – the main symptoms are:

Diarrhoea, possibly containing mucus or blood
Vomiting
Nausea
Stomach pain or cramps
Loss of appetite
Weakness and a lack of energy
Muscle aches
A fever or high temperature
Chills
A headache

It is likely you can manage your symptoms at home, without the need for treatment. However, there is one exception, which is really important to be aware of.

If your food poisoning is caused by the listeria monocytogenes bacteria, it can be dangerous.

If you experience nausea, diarrhoea, fever, muscle aches, flu like symptoms or vomiting while pregnant, then you should contact a doctor immediately, as these can be signs of listeria food poisoning.

It is rare, but the infection can have severe consequences for your baby. In early pregnancy it can cause a miscarriage, while later on in pregnancy, it can cause a stillbirth, premature birth or a fatal infection for the baby after birth. A baby that survives a listeria infection may suffer from long-term neurological damage. This can be the case even if you were only mildly ill.

If you are diagnosed with listeria, you may be prescribed antibiotics, which can often prevent the baby from being infected, which is why it is so important to catch it early on.

The listeria monocytogenes bacteria is found in water and soil and certain foods are at a higher risk of being contaminated with the listeria monocytogenes bacteria. That is why you should avoid these when pregnant. These include:

Refrigerated meat spreads and paté
Hot dogs and ready to eat meals
Raw sprouts
Unpasteurised milk and dairy products
Soft cheese made from unpasteurised milk
Refrigerated smoked seafood

Food poisoning treatments in pregnancy

Food poisoning treatments may differ if you are pregnant. Some medicines are not licensed for use by pregnant mothers, so it is important to inform the doctor if you might be or are currently pregnant.

Preventing food poisoning while pregnant is the best course of action, so you should:

Avoid eating mould-ripened soft cheeses and blue veined cheeses
Avoid eating paté
Avoid drinking unpasteurised milk
Avoid eating foods past their ‘use by’ date
Ensure your fridge is set to 5 Celsius or below
Heat ready meals until piping hot throughout
Avoid eating food that has been out of the fridge for more than four hours
Wash your hands before and after preparing food
Thoroughly wash fruit and vegetables in clean water

Food Poisoning in Pregnancy

Dr Dan Bunstone - Medical Officer

How food poisoning affects you if you’re pregnant

Listeria food poisoning in pregnancy