Once I accidentally ate raw egg while pregnant and I spent a long time worrying about my unborn baby. Everything worked out fine for me and my child, but is it safe or not to eat eggs during pregnancy? If you have been wondering the same thing, let’s find out the facts to the question, I accidentally ate raw egg while pregnant, what now?
Accidently Ate Raw Egg While Pregnant – Should I Be Concerned?
If you accidentally ate raw eggs while pregnant, you should try not to worry too much but it is important to be aware of the risks. Eating raw eggs can put moms-to-be at risk of developing Salmonella, especially if the eggs are not pasteurized.
Is it Ok to Eat Raw Eggs While Pregnant?
While the risk of developing Salmonella by eating raw eggs is much smaller than it once was, there is still the risk of you being exposed to bacteria and developing foodborne diseases.
Becoming sick with Salmonella can be dangerous during pregnancy and can cause several unpleasant symptoms.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Abdominal pain.
- Diarrhea.
- Dehydration.
- Blood in stool.
- Headaches.
- Fever and chills.
- Muscle pain.
Salmonella may make pregnant women feel very ill, but it will usually run its course and is rarely life threatening. However, severe dehydration and vomiting can lead to further problems such as weight loss and the need for hospital treatment.
While it is rare, serious cases of Salmonella have been linked to miscarriage and preterm labor. One of the biggest concerns for pregnant women is developing Sepsis. This can happen if the Salmonella disease infects the bloodstream. Sepsis can be fatal and will need to be treated as soon as possible.
It is important to know the symptoms of Sepsis, especially if you have eaten raw eggs when pregnant and think you may be at risk of developing Salmonella.
Accidentally Ate Raw Egg While Pregnant- Symptoms to be Aware of
Here are the key sepsis symptoms to be aware of:
- High temperature.
- Increase heart rate.
- Rapid breathing.
- Abdominal pain.
- Chills.
- Diarrhea.
- Flu-like symptoms.
If you are worried that Salmonella symptoms have developed into sepsis, it is important that you seek immediate medical attention. Left untreated, sepsis can be life-threatening for you and your unborn baby.
Are Pasteurized Eggs Safe to Eat Raw While Pregnant?
Guidelines on eggs during pregnancy have changed in recent years but it still very much depends on the country that you live in.
In the UK, pregnant women are no longer advised to avoid raw or runny eggs, as long as they are British Lion marked. These are hen eggs that have a red lion stamp on the shell and are produced to meet high safety standards. Meaning that the risk of salmonella is very low.
However, here in the US, the FDA still advises pregnant women to avoid raw eggs but their guidance may also change in the coming years.
While raw eggs can lead to Salmonella during pregnancy, you don’t have to ignore your egg cravings altogether. There are many safe ways to enjoy eggs while also keeping yourself and your baby safe.
Pasteurized eggs should not be eaten raw during pregnancy, but here are some ways moms-to-be can still get their egg fix:
1. Scrambled Eggs
When scrambling your eggs to enjoy on their own or with toast, make sure they are fully cooked before eating. If the eggs still have a slimy appearance, cook them for a little longer until they are firm and thoroughly cooked.
2. Hard-boiled Eggs
Everyone loves a runny yolk but these are best avoided during pregnancy. Hard-boiled eggs are a great way to get all the nutritional benefits of eggs but in a safe way. It takes around 8 minutes to hard boil an egg so the yolk is cooked all the way through. To check if your egg is cooked, cut it through the middle.
3. Omelets
Omelets are an easy way to enjoy eggs, plus you can fill them with lots of vitamin and nutrient-rich vegetables. Like scrambled eggs, always make sure that your omelet is firm and there are no runny or slimy parts of the egg remaining.
4. Fried Eggs
How do you like your eggs in the morning? If it’s fried with a runny yolk, you are going to have to wait until your baby arrives to be able to enjoy these with peace of mind. However, it is still possible to eat fried eggs during pregnancy, you will just need to flip them over and make sure the yolk is cooked all the way through.
As you can see, you don’t have to give up eggs when you are pregnant. In fact, eggs are a nutritionally dense food and are a great addition to your balanced diet during pregnancy. Many foods that contain cooked eggs are also safe to consume during pregnancy, such as pancakes, quiche, and cakes.
Do you enjoy licking the spoon when you bake or helping yourself to raw cookie dough? This is no go during pregnancy because raw eggs while pregnant can risk exposing you and your baby to harmful bacteria.
Here is a list of egg-based foods you will need to avoid during pregnancy. It is advised that moms-to-be stay clear of these foods because the ingredients contain raw eggs:
- Homemade mayonnaise
- Homemade ice cream
- Raw cookie dough
- Eggs benedict/hollandaise sauce
- Cake/pancake batter
- Avocado and poached egg on toast
However, according to the FDA, many of those items on the list above that are bought in a grocery store are made using pasteurized eggs and so are safe to use. But if you have any doubts double-check the ingredients on the label before consuming.
I really missed eating eggs with a runny yolk when I was pregnant and you bet I had it for breakfast the day I brought my new baby home from the hospital!
Benefits of Eating Eggs During Pregnancy
We now know the answer to the question can pregnant women eat raw eggs?
Is, unfortunately, no. However, eggs have many nutritional benefits and should be incorporated into your pregnancy diet.
When consumed safely, eggs can help with the healthy development of your unborn baby. Eggs contain choline and vitamin B12, both of which are known to encourage healthy brain development.
If you are looking for a high source of protein, look no further than your box of eggs. Eggs are known to be full of protein and when consumed, this breaks down into amino acids that are essential for the health of your growing baby. Protein is needed for healthy cell function, as well as hair, skin, and bone development.
When you cook your eggs all the way through, you will still be getting all the nutrition and passing it on to your baby. While a runny egg yolk may win when it comes to the taste factor, a well-cooked egg can still provide important nutrients and vitamins for yourself and your growing bundle of joy.
As well as benefiting the health of your baby, eggs can play an important role in your own nutrition during pregnancy. Their dense protein levels make eggs a great food choice for pregnant women. During pregnancy, the body’s need for protein increases, and eggs are an easy way to fulfill this growing demand.
The body also needs more iron during pregnancy to accommodate the changes in blood flow and – you guessed it – eggs are rich in iron too. Getting enough iron during pregnancy is important to avoid conditions like anemia, which can lead to low energy levels, lightheadedness and fainting.
You will also find all important vitamin D in eggs, concentrated inside the yolk. Even though pregnant women can’t eat raw or runny eggs, they can still get all the vitamin D benefits from an egg with the yolk cooked all the way through.
Wrapping Up
If you are expecting a baby and have been wondering, can you eat raw egg yolk while pregnant, the answer is no!
While you don’t need to panic if you accidentally ate raw egg while pregnant, it is important to know that consuming uncooked or undercooked eggs can put you at risk of Salmonella. Switch your poached eggs for scrambled eggs until your baby arrives and you will be hugely reducing your risk of becoming sick with a foodborne disease during your pregnancy.
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