There are so many important things to remember while pregnant for both the safety of the unborn baby as well as the expectant mother. One thing that an expecting mother must keep in mind is the significance of a well balanced diet which includes avoiding certain foods in order to prevent any unwanted complications. Included in the "foods to avoid" list are those that do not go through a pasteurization process. Unpasteurized foods can contain a type of bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes which can cause a disease known as Listeriosis.

The hormonal changes a pregnant woman experiences weakens her immune system against the defense of the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes making her 20 times more susceptible then the average person. Listeriosis can lead to miscarriage, still-birth, premature delivery, or other serious health issues for an unborn baby. It is normal for pregnant women to not even be aware that they have Listeriosis. It may take as little as a few days or as long as a couple of weeks before she will experience a variety of symptoms which can vary in severity.

In order to steer clear of the bacteria pregnant women should not consume unpasteurized cheeses such as Brie, feta, Camembert, queso blanco fresco, or blue-veined cheeses. Unpasteurized milks also need to be avoided while pregnant. Pasteurized cheeses that can be safely consumed include hard cheeses as well as mozzarella, cream cheese, and cottage cheese.

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