Q&A: Did I hurt my baby by eating bleu cheese while pregnant?

by Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo

I just read that "soft cheeses" are dangerous during pregnancy. I often eat bleu and feta cheeses. Have I hurt my baby (I'm pregnant!)?

The concern with soft cheeses is that because they aren't completely pasteurized, there's a risk they may contain a bacteria listeriosis. Listeria, as its called, causes muscle aches and fevers, much like the flu. In pregnant women, the infection can also lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. The incidence of listeria infection is very rare, but pregnant women are at a greater risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "[Pregnant women] are about 20 times more likely than other healthy adults to get listeriosis. About one-third of listeriosis cases happen during pregnancy."

I wouldn't worry about what you've eaten in the past—it sounds like you've been fine (and infection free!). But in the future, just to be careful, I would recommend that you avoid all soft cheeses. For a more complete list of foods to avoid, consult the CDC.

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