Ingesting Raw Milk during Pregnancy

Many people today think that drinking raw milk is healthy. For most it is but what about during pregnancy? This question is highly debated. Many believe that it is safe. There are numerous women’s blogs that tout the drinking of raw milk during pregnancy. These women say they have had no ill effects and that their babies were born healthy. Many doctors and the National Institute of Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention feel otherwise.

Raw milk is not put through the pasteurization process. Therefore raw milk is not considered clean. This means that raw milk can contain bacteria. These bacteria can include E. coli, salmonella and listeria. Most adults will not become sick because of listeria. Pregnant women are more likely to develop this due to hormonal changes in the body. This not only affects the mother, but the fetus as well.

It takes on a ripple effect. The mother drinks the raw milk and develops listeria. The doctor prescribes medicine to treat the illness. The medicine helps the mother but harms the unborn fetus. The repercussions of taking the medicine can cause miscarriage or death. If the child survives there is a good chance, because the immune system is not fully developed at the time of birth that the baby would have to be on medication to treat the illness.

Studies have shown that raw milk from a trusted supplier can be very good for you, but it can still contain bacteria. These bacteria can be very harmful to both mother and child. It has been shown that clean, raw milk can contain good bacteria that have been known to prevent certain illnesses in children. Unfortunately this has an opposite effect on pregnant women. This includes any type of food that may contain raw milk. Symptoms to look for include vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, stomach cramps and fever.

The conclusion to this debate is that even though raw milk is healthier, especially for children, the effects of ingesting raw milk during pregnancy can be disastrous. The risk for illness and problems for a pregnant woman and her unborn child are very high. The choice is up to you, but find out all the facts and check with your doctor before starting a diet containing raw milk while pregnant.