Your placenta keeps most germs away from your baby during pregnancy - but not all. There are a few food-related germs that may harm your baby. Some may cause problems with his development but may only make you slightly unwell. Two germs of this kind are the listeria bacteria and the toxoplasmosis parasite.

There are also a few food-related germs that may make you ill. During pregnancy your immune system (which controls how your body copes with illness) is slightly weakened. This is a normal part of pregnancy. It means that you are, for a time, at greater risk than other people of becoming very unwell if you catch the salmonella bacteria or other germs that may cause food poisoning.

• The basic rules of food safety at home
• Is it safe?
• Listeriosis
• Toxoplasmosis
• Salmonella
• Peanut Allergy

Reviewed by babyworld midwife Hannah Hulme Hunter