Is it safe to eat raw meat during pregnancy?

Pregnancy, with all its do's and don'ts, can be rather hard to navigate. Some things, like cigarettes, are definitely out. But there are also many gray areas, and it can be difficult to determine what is unsafe, and what people are avoiding because of urban myths or disinformation. Is it safe to eat raw meat during pregnancy?

Raw meat is not safe to eat during pregnancy, because it can contain many bacteria that pose risks to your unborn baby. Pregnant women should also stay away from rare meat or meat that simply hasn't been cooked properly. That means avoiding street stalls or certain fast food restaurants, the quality of which you are not sure about. What exactly can be present in raw and undercooked meat that can be harmful during pregnancy?

Toxoplasma

You are probably familiar with toxoplasmosis. The toxoplasma parasite is the reason pregnancy women should avoid cleaning their cat's litter tray (see: Toxoplasmosis a danger to unborn babies?) or doing bare-handed gardening. But the same parasite can also be present in raw meat. While toxoplasmosis rarely causes problems for adults, it can induce a miscarriage.

Salmonella

Salmonella is one of the most common causes of food poisoning. It is often found in chicken meat, but can also be present in other meats. Salmonella infections can cause a nasty illness that is generally not dangerous, but very unpleasant. During pregnancy, severe vomiting and diarrhea are potentially very dangerous. A salmonella infection can also result in a high fever, which is another thing you really don't want.

Coliform bacteria

This group of bacteria includes the notorious E. Coli. Raw meats can contain various strains of these bacteria, some of which cause symptoms that are very similar to a salmonella infection.

Listeria

Listeria is more commonly associated with raw milk and other raw dairy products, but it can also be found in some deli or luncheon meats like ham or turkey. Listeria is very dangerous to a fetus. It can result in miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, and serious illness in newborns that could be fatal.