Dr. Richard St. Cyr
More Than Morning Sickness
Last month, I wrote about gastroenteritis (diarrhea caused by bacteria in food) and how it affects children. This month, I thought I'd elaborate on the topic for expectant mothers. With the dog days of August upon us - and given the propensity of bacteria to thrive in the heat - you can never be too careful about food safety, especially if you're pregnant.
One can easily get "gastro" from street food vendors, but even 5-star restaurants aren't immune. Pregnant women have the same risks of infection as anybody else, but they should be especially choosy about where and what they eat, since a bad bout of gastro, while usually not serious for mom, can sometimes cause serious problems for her baby. Most infectious causes don't directly affect your baby, but certain bacteria such as listeria and salmonella can directly cross the placenta and cause harm. If you begin to experience more severe symptoms such as fever, bloody diarrhea, dehydration, or any changes in fetal movement, you should contact your doctor at once.
