defects. Under-cooked eggs can contain salmonella, the most
common cause of food poisoning. It may cause vomiting, diarrhoea
and dehydration, which could result in miscarriage or early labour.
Under-cooked meat and fish can contain parasites, which cause
toxoplasmosis, which can result in miscarriage or stillbirth, or cause
blindness or brain damage. I also got some research on
toxoplasmosis from a booklet from the health pharmacy sponsored
By SB. I found out that some women could be at increased risk due
to the job they do, such as catering, working on the land or farming.
Lambing is a particular risk for women. I found out that up to half the
population of the UK will have toxoplasmosis some time in their lives.
I also looked at a leaflet about 'eating while your pregnant' from the
food standards agency and found out that it is important to eat a
variety of foods during pregnancy including plenty of fruit and
vegetables. Women should aim for at least 5 portions a day. They
should also eat plenty of starchy foods such as bread, pasta, rice
and potatoes: Eat protein such as lean meat, chicken and plenty of
fibre found in wholegrain bread, Pasta, rice, fruit and vegetables.
Pregnant women will also need to include dairy foods such as milk
and cheese, which contain calcium. Plenty of iron and rich food
should be included, as pregnant women can become deficient in
iron. Good sources of iron include red meat, pulses, green
vegetables and bread. I also found from www.4women.com that it is
important to have no more than 300mg of caffeine a day, as high
levels can lead to low birth rate or even a miscarriage. From the
'foods 4 you' book I found that pregnant women should drink no
more than one or two units of alcohol once or twice a week, Drinking
more than this will affect the baby. I found out in the video 'when your
unborn child is on drugs, alcohol or tobacco', that too much alcohol
can damage the nervous system and other internal organs. I found
out that drinking in the 4th, 5th or 6th month of pregnancy can result
in miscarriage. It also stated that if you drink, almost all alcohol goes
to the foetus. The baby will get drunk more quickly than the mother
because of its smaller size.
I asked my Mummy what foods she avoided during pregnancy, She
said ' We weren't recommended what foods to eat or told what
foods to avoid, so I ate what pleased me.' From what my Mum has
said I feel there wasn't enough information for her, so therefore
didn't know what foods to avoid. I also asked my cousin the same
question, who is pregnant at present, she said,' I am avoiding Brie
cheese which I love, and also avoiding liver.' From what my cousin
has said, it is made clear that there is more information on diet during
pregnancy, and more recommendations on what to eat and what to
avoid.
