What should you know about food poisoning and pregnancy?

Food poisoning, also called foodborne illness, is an illness caused by contaminated food or drink. During pregnancy, diarrhoea and vomiting can remove water and salts faster than usual. The main immediate concern is dehydration, while fever, severe abdominal pain or blood in the stool may point to an infection needing assessment. A food poisoning illness may also make it difficult to take usual medicines, supplements or meals.

Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and fever. Note when they began, what you ate recently, how often you are vomiting or passing stool, and whether you can drink and urinate. This information helps a clinician decide whether you need an examination, testing or fluids.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. If nausea is strong, try a sip every few minutes rather than a large glass. Once fluids stay down, choose small, plain meals as tolerated and rest. Wash hands carefully, avoid preparing food for other people while ill, and keep a record of your temperature and urine output.

Speak with your maternity team, GP or pharmacist before taking anti-diarrhoeal medicines, anti-sickness medicines or antibiotics. Some treatments are suitable in pregnancy only in specific circumstances. If oral fluids are not enough, a clinician may recommend IV fluid therapy and assess you for an infection.

Get urgent medical advice if you cannot keep fluids down, have very little or dark urine, feel faint or confused, have a dry mouth, or are becoming unusually weak. Seek prompt assessment for blood in vomit or stool, severe or worsening abdominal pain, a high or persistent fever, or symptoms after eating a food associated with a serious infection.

Contact your maternity team urgently for vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, regular painful contractions, or a noticeable reduction in your baby’s movements later in pregnancy. Call emergency services for collapse, trouble breathing or severe confusion. Do not wait for diarrhoea to stop before asking for help when dehydration or pregnancy warning signs are present.

Ask which rehydration drink and symptom medicines are appropriate for your stage of pregnancy, whether you need an examination or stool testing, and what signs should trigger same-day review. Tell them about recent travel, shared meals, fever, blood in stool, reduced urination, and any medical conditions that affect pregnancy or fluid balance.