Raw Meat And The Microorganisms You Could Expose Your Fetus To
If you are pregnant, then your obstetrician or general physician may inform you of the different types of foods that you should not eat. Raw or undercooked meats, like beef and poultry, can be quite dangerous to your and your baby. Keep reading to learn about a few of the microorganisms that may be present in these foods and how they can affect your pregnant body.
Coliform Bacteria
Coliform bacteria are a group of microorganisms that are rod-shaped and gram stain negative. They are typically found in the intestinal tract of animals and include various strains of E. coli and Aerobacter. These bacteria are present in great numbers all throughout the natural environment. And most of the bacteria are completely harmless. However, there are some bacteria strains, like the 0157:H7 variety, that can cause severe intestinal distress.
If you are pregnant and consume a pathogenic bacteria like the E. coli 0157:H7 strain, then you will likely develop gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea. You andyour fetus will lose a great deal of fluid and this can easily lead to dehydration. In extreme cases, you may start to hemorrhage, and there may be a chance that your baby is born pre-term. Miscarriage risks also increase if you develop a coliform bacteria infection.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is not a type of bacteria, but a parasite that can infect you in you eat contaminated meat products. This parasite is the same one that can be found in feline fecal matter, and it is the reason why you are not supposed to change your cat's litter while you are pregnant.
You are unlikely to experience any symptoms if you develop a toxoplasmosis infection. However, the parasite can travel through the placenta, and this will lead to a parasitic infection of your unborn child. Like adults, your child will not show symptoms at the time of birth. However, the danger comes as your child starts to grown and the parasite remains active in the body. Lengthy and active infections are likely due to the immune system and how undeveloped it is. Blindness and mental deficiencies are both concerns if a child is infected with a toxoplasmosis parasite.
You should understand that medication can be provided to you if you are infected with toxoplasmosis. So, speak with your doctor if you feel that you may have been exposed due to the consumption of rare or raw meat.
If you want to know more about the types of foods that you probably should not consume while pregnant, speak with a pregnancy care specialist.