Accidentally ate undercooked burger :(. Terrified.

[Anonymous]

Ignore the needlessly mean posters, OP.

But honestly, your reaction is beyond extreme. You are utterly fine. It's definitely not good for the baby to let yourself get this stressed over something that has almost literally no chance of being an issue.

I really, really think you need therapy. Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

Oh look all my posts got deleted. Go ahead OP, call your doctor and only ear rice cakes for the duration of your pregnancy. *That* will solve it.

[Anonymous]

I am very anxious too and have had prior losses, but it's highly unlikely that a pink burger in your 2nd trimester is going to endanger your baby at all.

First, as others have said, there shouldn't be a risk of listeria from undercooked hamburger.

Second, even if you do get food poisoning, it normally does not harm the baby. I know--I had food poisoning during my first trimester with my second. I was really sick (vomiting, fever, etc.) and called the OB's office immediately. My OB told me not to worry as long as it passed within 48 hours, which it did. The OB said it probably was more uncomfortable for me than the baby. Now I have a very healthy, happy 4 year-old. It'll be okay.

[Anonymous]

What was wrong with the lettuce at your friend's house?

[Anonymous]

You really need to get your stress under control. Stress in pregnancy is linked to a host of bad outcomes, including autism and mental disorders.

[Anonymous]

I understand being nervous, having experienced my own losses. But I do think you are going around the bend here.

My kids are teens. When I was pregnant I ate tuna, snacked on peanuts every afternoon, ate soft cheese, salads, medium rare meat, raw eggs in Caesar dressing, raw cookie dough, even had an occasional glass of wine. They were full term healthy babies and have grown into strong, smart, healthy kids, no allergies.

I think seeing a therapist would be a really good idea. As someone who suffers from health anxiety myself, I can say with that these worries often get worse after the baby is born.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for your comments. They really did make me feel better. I have done a lot of research, and it is true that listeria contaminates raw ground beef. I'm not saying that to belittle any of the comments above. I just want others to know that before they dig into a hamburger that hasn't been cooked to well done. Ground meat should be cooked to 165 degrees F. Medium rare steak is a different story - the bacteria lives on the outside, and when the edges are seared, the bacteria is killed. Healthy bodies are able to fight off the bug with no issues. The problem is with compromised immune systems, such as in pregnancy. And unborn babies have practically zero immune system, so they are extremely susceptible. I realize that it very rare to get it, even then. It just depends on what happens when it enters the body. I really just wanted to hear - "I ate it, and we turned out okay."

Yes, I have anxiety. I do see a therapist regularly. I have been unable to take medication (4+ years TTC, remember?). That will totally change once our family is complete. I have a hormone deficiency that contributes to both my anxiety and fertility issues. I appear to be like any other normal functioning person. I hold down a decent job. When I've told my doctor about my anxiety in the past, she just sort of pat me on the shoulder and said it can't possibly be as bad as I project. It's disappointing, really. I paid for therapy out of pocket until my insurance decided to cover it. I feel bad for people who don't have that option. My DH is fabulous. He has known me for all of my adult life, and he's very sensitive to my fears. He grew up vegetarian, so he's used to it, and we have dabbled in vegetarianism before. And, just to make another thing clear - the last two mcs were chromosome related. We don't know the cause of the first one, but I can tell you I was over-the-moon excited and not nearly as anxious.

I am not a troll. Just a real-life woman who has a wanted to be a mother for as long as she can remember.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for your comments. They really did make me feel better. I have done a lot of research, and it is true that listeria contaminates raw ground beef. I'm not saying that to belittle any of the comments above. I just want others to know that before they dig into a hamburger that hasn't been cooked to well done. Ground meat should be cooked to 165 degrees F. Medium rare steak is a different story - the bacteria lives on the outside, and when the edges are seared, the bacteria is killed. Healthy bodies are able to fight off the bug with no issues. The problem is with compromised immune systems, such as in pregnancy. And unborn babies have practically zero immune system, so they are extremely susceptible. I realize that it very rare to get it, even then. It just depends on what happens when it enters the body. I really just wanted to hear - "I ate it, and we turned out okay."

Yes, I have anxiety. I do see a therapist regularly. I have been unable to take medication (4+ years TTC, remember?). That will totally change once our family is complete. I have a hormone deficiency that contributes to both my anxiety and fertility issues. I appear to be like any other normal functioning person. I hold down a decent job. When I've told my doctor about my anxiety in the past, she just sort of pat me on the shoulder and said it can't possibly be as bad as I project. It's disappointing, really. I paid for therapy out of pocket until my insurance decided to cover it. I feel bad for people who don't have that option. My DH is fabulous. He has known me for all of my adult life, and he's very sensitive to my fears. He grew up vegetarian, so he's used to it, and we have dabbled in vegetarianism before. And, just to make another thing clear - the last two mcs were chromosome related. We don't know the cause of the first one, but I can tell you I was over-the-moon excited and not nearly as anxious.

I am not a troll. Just a real-life woman who has a wanted to be a mother for as long as she can remember.

You still sound like a goddamn psycho.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for your comments. They really did make me feel better. I have done a lot of research, and it is true that listeria contaminates raw ground beef. I'm not saying that to belittle any of the comments above. I just want others to know that before they dig into a hamburger that hasn't been cooked to well done. Ground meat should be cooked to 165 degrees F. Medium rare steak is a different story - the bacteria lives on the outside, and when the edges are seared, the bacteria is killed. Healthy bodies are able to fight off the bug with no issues. The problem is with compromised immune systems, such as in pregnancy. And unborn babies have practically zero immune system, so they are extremely susceptible. I realize that it very rare to get it, even then. It just depends on what happens when it enters the body. I really just wanted to hear - "I ate it, and we turned out okay."

Yes, I have anxiety. I do see a therapist regularly. I have been unable to take medication (4+ years TTC, remember?). That will totally change once our family is complete. I have a hormone deficiency that contributes to both my anxiety and fertility issues. I appear to be like any other normal functioning person. I hold down a decent job. When I've told my doctor about my anxiety in the past, she just sort of pat me on the shoulder and said it can't possibly be as bad as I project. It's disappointing, really. I paid for therapy out of pocket until my insurance decided to cover it. I feel bad for people who don't have that option. My DH is fabulous. He has known me for all of my adult life, and he's very sensitive to my fears. He grew up vegetarian, so he's used to it, and we have dabbled in vegetarianism before. And, just to make another thing clear - the last two mcs were chromosome related. We don't know the cause of the first one, but I can tell you I was over-the-moon excited and not nearly as anxious.

I am not a troll. Just a real-life woman who has a wanted to be a mother for as long as she can remember.

You still sound like a goddamn psycho.

PP, you could have said this in a more compassionate way. OP has just shared her psychological issues, and it's not cool to beat her down (it was a free-for-all earlier because she hadn't specified she had an anxiety disorder). See?

OP, short of medication, can you exercise gently, do yoga, meditate? Do any of these things help?
I had thyroiditis and my anxiety went through the roof. I literally thought I was about to have a heart attack, every other day.
I did yoga throughout my second pregnancy, right to very end, and it really helped keep the worries at bay.
Plus I'm a biologist, so I know exactly what risks I take with food, etc. Knowing my microbiology, I tend to take risks. Food is very safe these days.

Stay strong.

[Anonymous]

PP, thanks for the compassion! I agree that yoga and meditation are awesome. I haven't been doing yoga very faithfully now, but it's helped in the past. I take lots of walks and listen to podcasts while I'm walking to take my mind off of whatever I'm worried about, and that seems to be a nice fit right now. Eating well and getting lots of rest/downtime helps too. My thyroid is a bit off. I've never needed meds for it, but I sometimes wonder if it contributes to the anxiety I feel.

[Anonymous]

Op hang in there and ignore the mean people. If you have never suffered from
Anxiety than you just can't empathize.

[Anonymous]

Okay I'm the mean PP. I'll be more gentle. OP, you need to look into medications that are safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding (if you plan to.) Your anxiety seems so over the top that I don't think yoga is going to cut it and frankly I think just sort of holing up in your house is not going to be safe for your baby .

[Anonymous]

I ate an undercooked burger aND was also nervous about it after but am now nursing my 6 week old . I agree that you need to better manage your anxiety. Cortisol during pregnancy is probably a higher risk than the minute risk of listeria.

[Anonymous]

OP please do some prenatal yoga and some mindfulness meditation. Please. Not only is anxiety bad for the baby while in utero, it will make you a crazy helicopter smother mother.

I fight my battle with anxiety too. Do you do Cognitive Behavioral therapy?

Bad things I ate while pregnant: wine, coffee, rare steak, soft cheese, medium burgers, runny eggs, raw cookie dough. All my kids are amazingly vibrant and healthy.

[Anonymous]

OP - everyone I know ate the occasional undercooked hamburger, unpasteurized cheese or glass of wine. Almost everyone has had healthy babies. For better or worse, it is really a crap shoot and largely outside of your control.