Maternity Fashion And Swimwear

When you are pregnant you can be more susceptible to infections such as listeriosis and toxoplasmosis. These are typically very rare but they can still harm an unborn baby.

Listeriosis and Pregnancy

Listeriosis is a food-based infection and can contaminate vegetables, meats and dairy products. To prevent contamination and the possibility of infection you should take the following precautions.

- Wash raw vegetables.

- Thoroughly cook meat and avoid rare meat.

- Keep raw and cooked foods separate during the preparation process.

- Thoroughly wash cutlery, chopping boards, kitchen surfaces and utensils.

- Eat only pasteurised dairy products. You should avoid unpasteurised cheeses such as Brie, Camembert, feta and blue-veined cheeses.

- Avoid pate and meat spreads.

- Unless cooked, avoid refrigerated smoked seafood.

- Cook luncheon and deli meats and hot dogs until they are "piping hot".

Wash your hands well after touching raw meat, deli and luncheon meats and raw vegetables.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis can be passed to humans from cat faeces, so if you are a cat owner you should stay away from its litter tray and if possible get another person to clean it out every day.

Feed your cat canned food or dried food, but keep away from raw meat.

Toxoplasmosis can also be found in raw meat and unwashed vegetables so follow the same precautions as indicated above.

If you are gardening during pregnancy, make sure to wear gloves during gardening and wash your hands thoroughly after you have finished gardening in case you come into contact with animal faeces etc.