Which foods will harm my baby?

I was just wondering whether there was any major risk in eating soft yolks, soft cheese and pate. I love all of these foods and although I currently feel so sick that just a cracker is difficult to stomach, I'd like to be able to eat these foods further along in my pregnancy if it's not going harm my baby. I am currently 8 weeks. I don't want to take stupid risks but I can't work out whether there is really much of a risk here. Could you shed some light?
Sally

The reason that eating soft cheese, soft boiled eggs and pate is not recommended is that there is a possibility that if not cooked properly, then bacteria may not be killed. There is then a risk of contracting Listeriosis and Salmonella, which are serious bacterial infections which can cross the placenta. These bacteria are then harmful to you and your baby. In practice this risk is small, which is why many women in continental Europe take little notice of these recommendations, but that doesn't mean that the risk can be ignored.

Dr Christoph and Grainne

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See also: 10 foods to avoid during pregnancy

Dr Christoph Lees MD MRCOG is a Consultant in Obstetrics & Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, UK. He delivers babies and looks after mums in pregnancy, especially where specialist input or ultrasound is required. 

Grainne McCartan RGN RM BSc PGDAE MA. Grainne qualified as a general nurse in Northern Ireland, and as a midwife in London where she has practised both in hospital and community settings. Grainne is a qualified reflexologist, family planning nurse and aromatherapist.