Symptoms of food poisoning during pregnancy

Food poisoning is an illness caused by contaminated food or drink. Symptoms can begin with queasiness or stomach pain and progress to loose stools or vomiting. Pregnancy can make dehydration more concerning, while some symptoms can overlap with ordinary pregnancy nausea. Fever, worsening cramps, inability to keep fluids down, or reduced urination deserves medical advice. A pregnant person with food poisoning should not assume that every symptom is pregnancy-related.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink; an oral rehydration solution can replace water and salts lost through vomiting or diarrhoea. Rest, choose light foods when able, and avoid preparing food for other people while unwell. Do not start anti-diarrhoeal medicines, antibiotics, or herbal products without checking that they are suitable in pregnancy. Keep track of vomiting, stools, fever, urine output, and fetal movement if you have reached the stage at which you normally feel it.

Contact your maternity team or clinician promptly for repeated vomiting, ongoing diarrhoea, fever, blood in stool, severe abdominal pain, dizziness, very dark urine, or little urine. Seek urgent care if you faint, become confused, cannot keep any fluids down, or have signs of severe dehydration. Intravenous fluid therapy may be considered when drinking is not enough. Ask for pregnancy-specific advice before taking any medicine.

Ask which rehydration product and medicines are appropriate at your stage of pregnancy, whether testing is needed, and what symptoms should prompt maternity assessment. Mention recent foods, travel, sick contacts, fever, urine changes, and any change in fetal movement.