Stay away from this thing

 It is essential that you take care when preparing foods and avoid doing certain things when pregnant. This is due to your babys immune system not being sufficiently developed to fight any infection you may pass to it whilst within the womb. It is believed that a females immune system may not function at its peak during pregnancy so it is essential that all necessary precautions are taken Pets It is essential that if you have a pet that every time you come into contact with them you wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.Pets can pass on harmful bacteria that may be present in their faeces. You may inadvertently become infected with this by touching your mouth or other part of the body and this may in turn infect your unborn child. Cats are of particular importance due to toxoplasmosis found within their faeces. If you have a cat that uses a litter tray it is important that someone else carries out this task or if this is not possible then you should wear rubber gloves and a face mask to prevent any bacteria being passed. This also applies to gardening where faecal matter can be found in the soil. Once more, don gloves and wash your hands as soon as you finish. A parasite is the cause of toxoplasmosis. It can go unnoticed in a healthy adult or even an unborn baby. You will never be infected again and will always be immune to this infection. Listeria This is a bacteria which develops into an illness called listeriosis. The symptoms of this are mild flu, aches and pains, sore throat and high temperatures. In more severe cases, this may result in septicaemia and meningitis in the fetus. This is the worst case scenario. In some cases many people are not aware they have caught the bacteria as they do not show any of the above symptoms. During pregnancy, mothers have to be aware of certain foods where this bacteria may be prevalent. This is true for after pregnancy aswell especially if you are nursing your child. The symptoms usually develop from 2 to 30 days after eating contaminated food. Foods to Avoid Cheese While not all cheeses contain the bacteria, some may pose a threat to a woman who is pregnant. Avoid both pasteurised and unpasteurised soft cheeses which usually have a surface mould or rind such as Brie, Camembert and Danish Blue. Also avoid cheeses coated in wax such as Gouda, Post Salut. The majority of blue cheeses, like Stilton, Gorgonzola, and Roquefort, should be avoided. Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, and Red Leicester are safe, as are softer cheeses like cottage cheese, mozzarella, ricotta, processed cheese, and cheese spreads made from pasteurized milk. If in doubt play safe and avoid eating it. Eggs The salmonella bacteria are most commonly found in eggs. It is best to avoid any foods made with raw or partly cooked eggs such as homemade mayonnaise, meringues, cheesecakes, sorbets or mousses. Only eggs that have been cooked long enough to make their yolks hard are safe. Store-bought mayonnaises are usually safe as long as they are made with eggs that have been pasteurized. If in doubt, always check the label. Milk Avoid all products which have not been pasteurised. All pasteurised products are safe to use all through pregnancy and beyond. Meat Do not eat raw or under cooked meat or poultry. Also avoid meats which have been preserved in nitrates such as salami, frankfurters and luncheon meat. Always cook meat so the juices run clear and there is no pinkness or blood within. Before touching any other foods, always thoroughly wash your hands after touching raw meat and poultry. Liver contains vitamin A in the form of retinol which if taken by a pregnant women can increase Her levels rise significantly above the daily limit, causing harm to the baby. Liver should be avoided aswell as products containing liver such as pate and liver sausage. Seafood Oysters and any raw or uncooked fish should be avoided. Also shelled seafood such as crab, prawns, and langoustines should be avoided unless they have been thoroughly cooked and are hot. The majority of seafood purchased from a supermarket or fishmonger should be safe. Fresh tuna should only be eaten once a month due to the potential levels of mercury found within. This is also true for swordfish and shark. Tinned tuna contains lower levels so this is safe to eat every week. Salads All pre pared shop bought salads are best to be avoided. So too are dressed salads such as coleslaw, potato salad and Florida salad. It is best to make your own and wash all the leaves thoroughly to remove any soils or other deposits that may be on them.