Why Listeria in Pregnancy Matters, Explained Simply

Pregnant people are about 10 times more likely to get listeriosis, and even a mild illness in the parent can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm labor or a life-threatening infection in the newborn.

Key takeaways

• Risk in pregnancy: about 10 times higher than in the general population
• Symptoms in pregnancy: often mild: fever, fatigue and muscle aches
• Most useful single change: Choose cheeses labeled as made with pasteurized milk, especially soft cheeses such as queso fresco and brie.
• Commonest mistake: Cold deli meats, hot dogs or refrigerated pâté straight from the package.
• See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.

The short answer

An infection caused by Listeria bacteria, which can grow in refrigerated ready-to-eat foods.

Where it fits

This is part of Food Safety. The figures come first, because the advice only makes sense against them.

The numbers, in one place

What that means in practice

Put another way, here is what it asks of you:

• Choose cheeses labeled as made with pasteurized milk, especially soft cheeses such as queso fresco and brie
• Eat cut melon right away or refrigerate it, and throw it out after about 7 days or if left out more than 4 hours
• Heat refrigerated smoked seafood in a cooked dish such as a casserole
• Clean up spills in the refrigerator right away, especially juices from hot dog and deli meat packages

What gets people into trouble

Common wrong turns:

• Cold deli meats, hot dogs or refrigerated pâté straight from the package
• Unpasteurized milk and soft cheese made from it
• Raw or lightly cooked sprouts
• Refrigerated smoked fish such as lox unless it is cooked in a dish

Related topics

• Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy: What the Evidence Actually Says (Pregnancy and Postpartum)
• Food and Water Safety Abroad: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise (Travel Health)
• What the Guidance Really Says About Vaccination in Pregnancy (Vaccinations)
• Dog Bite Prevention: What Published Guidance Supports (Injury Prevention)

Where to go next

• The Listeria in Pregnancy Checklist: What to Do and What to Skip
• Listeria in Pregnancy: Common Myths and What Guidelines Say
• Listeria in Pregnancy — the reference entry
• Food Safety: The Complete Guide
• What the Guidance Really Says About Allergens on Food Labels
• Reading the Nutrition Facts Label: What the Evidence Actually Says

When to speak to a doctor

If you are pregnant and develop a fever, muscle aches or flu-like illness, or ate a food recalled for Listeria, call your prenatal care provider promptly, even if you feel only mildly ill. Call 911 for a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, a seizure, or vaginal bleeding with fever.

Where this comes from

• CDC — Listeria Infection (Listeriosis)
• FDA — Listeria (Listeriosis)
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Nutrition During Pregnancy

How this page was put together

Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarized or generalized beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.

Medical disclaimer

This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to your doctor, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 911.