Lunch Meat at this point?

buttaflly227

So I know you're not supposed to have lunch meat because of Listeria bacteria or you have to heat it till it steams but my docs have said they wouldn't stop themselves from eating it because the risk is so small. I figure at this stage, almost 36ks, the baby would problly be fine if I had a turkey sandwich. 

What do you ladies think? Have you been eating lunch meats? 

LovinTim912

I had a bologna sandwich the other day and it was the best lunch of my life!!!!  I say enjoy it!!!

LMDenver

Ive had a couple ham sandwichs. I do in moderation. :-) Im 34 weeks.

dande2129

I'm not a huge lunch meat eater to begin with. I also like toasted subs, so that makes it easier to not worry about Listeria. 

I say go for it, either way. 

 

mammamia24

I've been eating lunch meat my entire pregnancy. I never heat it up either. My dr said the chances are so small that theres no reason to completely avoid lunch meat. That and I have a 4yo and somtimes it's easier to throw together a couple of sandwiches for lunch.

KMAXON

I had my favorite subway sub - roast beef the other day.   I'll try not to do it too much, but at this point it's not such a big risk.

jenlb03

I never stopped. Listeria  can be found in lettuce or strawberries or anything sitting out. The risk is very small.

Kota26

I've been eating lunch meat throughout the pregnancy.  If meat is contaminated with listeria it could make anyone very sick, just with pregnant women there is the additional risk for the baby. If you feel comfortable eating lunch meat when not pregnant there is still a risk...it is simply that small 

drpayne

I've been eating it the whole time. You're more likely to get listeria from salad.

MN82

My doctor said he had never heard of anyone not being able to eat lunch meat.  So I have had it the entire time without heating it up and I am fine.  Go for it. 

brianabrad

I've had lunch meat this entire pregnancy. I have avoid sushi though. I think it all depends on what you are comfortable with.

SittinUnderAPalmTree

I don't eat lunch meat every day, but I've definitely had my fair share during this pregnancy.  I think you'll be fine if you eat a turkey sandwich as long as the turkey is fresh and hasn't been sitting in your fridge for a week.

pinottoparenthood

I have eaten lunch meat a few times throughout my pregnancy, but the risk isn't decreased just because you are further along. You may be less likely to miscarry, but there are still dire consequences to your baby if you manage to contract listeria:

"During the first trimester of pregnancy, listeriosis may cause miscarriage. As the pregnancy progresses to third trimester, the mother is more at risk. Listeriosis can also lead to premature labor, the delivery of a low-birth-weight infant, or infant death. Fetuses who suffer a late infection may develop a wide range of health problems, including mental retardation, paralysis, seizures, blindness, or impairments of the brain, heart, or kidney. In newborns, L. monocytogenes can cause blood infections and meningitis."

 You have to decide if eating lunch meat, or other "risky" foods, is something you're willing to do or not. The risk is incredibly small, but don't think that just because you are further along the risk is reduced. That's not the case at all.

 (Info from: https://www.fda.gov/food/resourcesforyou/healtheducators/ucm083320.htm) 

KatieM558

I had quite a few turkey subs from jimmy johns until I found out that one of my students, who has some severe learning and ADHD issues, was born with listeria.  It was from the soft mexican cheese her mom had been eating.  That being said I think it's really, really rare.  The mom said the CDC got involved so I'm pretty sure a listeria outbreak would be super duper rare.  I stopped with the JJ's only because I didn't know if I could trust them.  I'm sure there are many other things I eat on a daily basis that put me at risk though.  I agree with PP.  It's what you're comfortable with.

ASmallWonder

I'm not a lunch meat avoider but your logic is flawed.  Listeria is dangerous to you and baby, regardless of what week you're in. The question is whether or not you feel the risk is high or that people overblow it.  If you've avoided it because it has honestly made you nervous all these weeks, nothing about being 36 weeks changes that.

mommajewels87

I've never given up lunch meat during any of my pregnancies, with the blessing of my midwife, and hot lunch meat grosses me out. I've also never had Listeria so yea, I personally feel the "no lunch meat" rule is bunk. Just be smart about it. If it's funky looking or smelling, don't eat it.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

Icecream4me

Hate to be a naysayer, but I was feeling the same about cheeses.  I ate some cheese that's on the no-no list around the holidays (at about 34 weeks) and ended up throwing up for a few hours.  I honestly think it was a stomach bug, not the cheese, but you can image my fear and guilt and thinking I might be part of that .05% group of pregnant women that gives my baby-to-be listeria because I couldn't wait another 6 weeks to have some yummy cheese.  

In any case - everything seems fine, but why take a risk?

Icecream4me

Hate to be a naysayer, but I was feeling the same about cheeses.  I ate some cheese that's on the no-no list around the holidays (at about 34 weeks) and ended up throwing up for a few hours.  I honestly think it was a stomach bug, not the cheese, but you can image my fear and guilt and thinking I might be part of that .05% group of pregnant women that gives my baby-to-be listeria because I couldn't wait another 6 weeks to have some yummy cheese.  

In any case - everything seems fine, but why take a risk?

penguingrrl

Between my three pregnancies I've been seen by 4 different OB practices (we've moved between each one and I didn't like the first one with my younger daughter) and each one said that lunchmeat was fine, so I never specifically avoided it. I'm not a huge fan of it so I don't eat it that frequently but haven't avoided it either. And when I was in L&D for pre-e monitoring Friday they gave me a turkey coldcut sandwich, so I'm pretty sure it's not really a hard and fast rule.

In the time since I've heard about the listeria risk with cold cuts (so 6 years, since I got pregnant with my first) I've heard of several listeria outbreaks and every single one was fresh produce. One was cantaloupe, one was bagged salad and I think there was one with spinach. So I haven't worried much about lunch meat or soft cheeses (I just check that they're pasteurized and every single cheese I've come across at Trader Joe's, including brie and bleu are pasteurized).

IncogNeato

Everyone has their own comfort level, but my understanding is that you're most at risk in 2nd and 3rd tri actually, because of your depressed immune system. Since there is a risk of stillbirth with listeria, I just can't do it. If anything happened I would always wonder. But that's just me. I tend to feel like, I've made it this far, I can give it up for a few more weeks.

GeeksWithSqueaks

I've been eating subway and what not since the end of Second Tri. I just heat it up so I dont worry about it later and I have never found heating hurts the flavor.

drpayne

IncogNeato:

Everyone has their own comfort level, but my understanding is that you're most at risk in 2nd and 3rd tri actually, because of your depressed immune system. Since there is a risk of stillbirth with listeria, I just can't do it. If anything happened I would always wonder. But that's just me. I tend to feel like, I've made it this far, I can give it up for a few more weeks.

I get what youre saying. I've just always wondered if people who feel this way also avoid produce, since a lot of cases come from that. We can't avoid everything...

BabyMayinMarch

jenlb03:

I never stopped. Listeria  can be found in lettuce or strawberries or anything sitting out. The risk is very small.

this. I wouldnt go eat sushi, but lunch meat is not that big of a deal for me 

MintBerryCrunch

drpayne:

I've been eating it the whole time. You're more likely to get listeria from salad.

This. Vegetables can be scary dirty. I PPH Jimmy John's so I wasn't going to risk eating fruits and vegs but not have me some sammiches.

Rose120

MollusksWrangler:

Yes, lunch meat, sushi, rare steak etc. Do what you're comfortable with.

 

This. I am not a huge lunch meat eater, but I eat one whenever I feel like it along with sushi, rare steak, runny eggs, etc.There is also a risk of listeria for soft serve ice cream and there is a higher chance of getting sick from chicken then from sushi...you can't avoid everything! 

jensriot

mammamia24:

I've been eating lunch meat my entire pregnancy. I never heat it up either. My dr said the chances are so small that theres no reason to completely avoid lunch meat. That and I have a 4yo and somtimes it's easier to throw together a couple of sandwiches for lunch.

This. I've also had oysters, sushi and all sorts of stuff you're not supposed to eat.

tynabee

I've been eating lunch meat the whole time.  It was one of the only foods I could stomach during the 1st tri.  This whole pregnancy I haven't really eaten meats b/c they don't sound appealing, but I always have a taste for a sub sandwich.  

dande2129

drpayne:

IncogNeato:

Everyone has their own comfort level, but my understanding is that you're most at risk in 2nd and 3rd tri actually, because of your depressed immune system. Since there is a risk of stillbirth with listeria, I just can't do it. If anything happened I would always wonder. But that's just me. I tend to feel like, I've made it this far, I can give it up for a few more weeks.

I get what youre saying. I've just always wondered if people who feel this way also avoid produce, since a lot of cases come from that. We can't avoid everything...

Also this. Wasn't the latest Listeria outbreak from cantaloupe? I've never heard someone say they couldn't have cantaloupe because of the risk of Listeria, but it still happened.

TMWarren85

I've been heating my Oscar Meyer five days a week (what I eat for lunch at work) and a hot turkey sandwich- especially with Oscar Meyer lunch meat just wears on me after a while. I had my first cold turkey sandwich Friday delivered from a deli that caters our corporate lunches and it was amazing. I even posted on the bump about it... Not sure if I will go straight to cold sandwiches only, but man it was good and I'm still here. I also eat medium steaks occasionally (MR pre-preggo)- I WILL NOT butcher a great steak by over cooking it

Meggiemuggins

Personally, I'm still avoiding it.  I figure I've gone this long without, I can wait another month.  If you're comfortable eating lunch meat, then go for it!  It's a personal decision.

ally2011

I am following the recommendations from the CDC, Mayo Clinic and American Pregnancy Association until the end (heat it to steaming or don't eat it...I don't like hot lunch meat so I have avoided)....I have made it this far, 4 more weeks is not a big deal.  

My understanding is that our immune systems are most suppressed in the 3rd trimester so it is not a "safer" time to eat it just because baby is more developed.  And might actually be less safe.

Good luck with whatever you choose. 

Happy2BPregnant

I've had it occasionally and I've had certain cheeses.  I was really strict about it the first trimester but have since lightened up after talking to my uncle.  My uncle has been an OBGYN for 25 years and has said that he's never seen a case of  listeria in all his years of practice, nor had his partner.

ally2011

drpayne:

IncogNeato:

Everyone has their own comfort level, but my understanding is that you're most at risk in 2nd and 3rd tri actually, because of your depressed immune system. Since there is a risk of stillbirth with listeria, I just can't do it. If anything happened I would always wonder. But that's just me. I tend to feel like, I've made it this far, I can give it up for a few more weeks.

I get what youre saying. I've just always wondered if people who feel this way also avoid produce, since a lot of cases come from that. We can't avoid everything...

Just as there is a recommendation for deli meat (heat until steaming), there is also one for produce - to thoroughly wash it.  In neither case is it recommended to avoid it all together, though many of us do...I think steaming lunch meat sounds gross personally. 

Eags

dande2129:

drpayne:

IncogNeato:

Everyone has their own comfort level, but my understanding is that you're most at risk in 2nd and 3rd tri actually, because of your depressed immune system. Since there is a risk of stillbirth with listeria, I just can't do it. If anything happened I would always wonder. But that's just me. I tend to feel like, I've made it this far, I can give it up for a few more weeks.

I get what youre saying. I've just always wondered if people who feel this way also avoid produce, since a lot of cases come from that. We can't avoid everything...

Also this. Wasn't the latest Listeria outbreak from cantaloupe? I've never heard someone say they couldn't have cantaloupe because of the risk of Listeria, but it still happened.

I was told to avoid any precut fruit and decided to avoid cantaloupe on my own. However, I may be in the minority here bc we actually work with/test for Listeria at work.

OP, I think it all comes down to what you're comfortable with. If you're fine with eating it, do it. If not, wait another few weeks and then go to town.

AppleJacks81

Totally ate cold deli sandwiches all through this pregnancy and last.

IncogNeato

To answer the question posed by the pp, I only eat uncooked produce that I washed and cut myself and I don't do salad bars or bagged salad. I wash all lettuce by hand. I also avoid soft serve ice cream. So yeah, I'm pretty consistent in avoiding anything considered risky. I avoided melons except for ones grown by my parents and still scrubbed those before cutting them.

sthomas1222

I never stopped eating lunch meat. The risk is soooo minimal. DH and me were having this convo earlier b/c my mom was fussing at me about eating frozen yogurt. My sister read during her pregnancy she shouldn't have it b/c if the machines aren't cleaned properly there's a risk of bacteria or some crap like that. Well, if that's the case then you might as well not eat out b/c other people are preparing your food and there's always the risk of them being sick, not cleaning the utensils/pans/etc properly, and a hundred other things...

JessTheMess11

My doctor said lunch meat is fine as long as I'm not living off of it and it is fresh. I've been craving Italian hoagies my whole pregnancy so I was happy to hear that lol

sucrets4

Icecream4me:

Hate to be a naysayer, but I was feeling the same about cheeses.  I ate some cheese that's on the no-no list around the holidays (at about 34 weeks) and ended up throwing up for a few hours.  I honestly think it was a stomach bug, not the cheese, but you can image my fear and guilt and thinking I might be part of that .05% group of pregnant women that gives my baby-to-be listeria because I couldn't wait another 6 weeks to have some yummy cheese.  

In any case - everything seems fine, but why take a risk?

Where did you find unpasteurized cheese in the US?  Did you go out of your way looking for it?  That's really what's a no-no.  As long as it's pasteurized, it's fine. 

youenjoymyself

I eat a turkey sandwich almost every day for lunch.  And I had a med rare steak this weekend.