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2nd Trimester
Few random questions...
Hello Girls,
I just have a few questions about lunchmeat and your sleeping habits. I have been eating lunch meat for lunch until I found out today that it might not be good for me? Is this true? Has anyone read anything about this before? Secondly I have been having a horrible time sleeping. Tossing and turning all night and for the past week been having bad dreams. When I wake up in the morning, my head is absolutely pounding. Has anyone had this issue before?
Thanks in advance 
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Re: Few random questions...
I can't help you with the sleeping problems. Things aren't to good for me regarding that either.
About the lunchmeat it is ok as long as you heat it for 30 seconds before you eat it. Some women stay away from it all together but I do indulge in a ham sandwich from time to time. The nutritien class I took said as long as you heat it for 30 seconds it will kill the bacteria that can call Listerine ( I think that is right ).
Good luck with the sleeping!
I disagree with this. Lunch meat can contain listeria, it is very rare, but also extremely bad for pregnant women if you actually get it. Having it in moderation will not make it safe. Heating it will kill the bacteria.
Lunch meat is fine as long as it's steaming hot. I don't care for hot lunch meat, surprised your doctor hasn't given you the "To/Not to do's" regarding what to/not to eat. Regarding your dreams, we don't dream more during pregnancy, they're more memorable because you wake up more often during pregnancy to pee or what have you. In my 1st 2 pregnancies I had weird dreams. With my 4th, not as much. I guess because I've been here before and know what to expect. When your a new mom, you have lots of new concerns that way heavily on your mind, hence the dreams.
The lunchmeat thing: there is a risk with cold lunch meats of getting listeriosis, a condition caused by listeria (a type of bacteria). Listeriosis is rare, but really really bad for pregnant women especially. So it is typically recommended that if you eat lunch meat at all, you make sure it's heated for at least 30 secs (in a microwave or whatever) to make sure the bacteria is killed.
Some people (like me) are paranoid about this and therefore I won't eat any lunch meat while pregnant. Others are much more lax about it and will eat lunch meat anytime, even if not heated first. It's up to you and what you're comfortable with.
FYI: Listeria can cause stillbirth, premature birth, birth defects, and spontaneous miscarriage. Certain meats like hot dogs, ham, bologna, dry sausage and other cold, ready-to-eat meats are especially prone to listeria contamination. If they are an important part of your diet that you simply can't give up, you can reduce the risk of listeria by reheating the meat until it is steaming. (Please note, reduce the risk, not eliminate!)
The other concern is that prepackaged meat usually contains high levels of sodium nitrate. Unfortunately, few studies have examined the effect of nitrates during pregnancy. However, research has demonstrated that nitrates can decrease the blood's ability to effectively carry oxygen in infants, especially those under the age of four months.
Heating it does NOT kill all of the listeria. However, the risk of it having listeria is very low.
As for the OP, if you're eating a lot of lunch meat, you're probably consuming a ton of nitrates. Nitrates, like many preservatives, can cause headaches. Try eating cleaner and changing your pillow.
It is very difficult for me to sleep as well and I am almost 24 weeks! I use a body pillow and a pillow under my feet and that helps some, because I have to sleep on my side...
My doctor told me that lunch meat is not really that bad... There is a risk of listeria but it is so low that most people never have to worry.. I was worried because I had subway a few times!! She said to be cautious and if you have some at home that is at the date or been in there awhile to get a fresh pack... Really it is your choice to eat it or not! I might be a little wary of sandwiches from a lunch cart or sidewalk cart because you dont know about refridgeration.... Either way it is your choice and I hope you also are able to find a comfortable sleeping position!!
675 pregnant women in the US will become seriously ill with listeriosis each year. (27% of the 2500 who will get it) Your chance of dying in a car crash? 1 in 18,585 (16,411). That's not even just getting in a car crash! Of those 2500 with listeria, 500 will die. I think deli meat is super safe, but maybe you should rethink riding in cars? Think of it this way; pregnant women eat raw meat in other countries and have normal pregnancies (they also drink). Try not to spazz so much and enjoy your cold cuts!