How common is Listeriosis amongst pregnant women? (pregnancy, luncheon meats & listeriosis)

I'm currently 5 months pregnant and since I've become pregnant, I've done a ton of research and have restricted my diet almost drastically because of the many things I've heard. I've heard through blogs and scientific research that pregnant women should avoid eating luncheon meat (sandwich meat) because it carries listeria and could cause listeriosis and possible complications with pregnancy and newborn infants. Thing is, I absolutely LOVE sandwiches and luncheon meat and don't think I can completely cut it out of my diet.

I've known many mothers who has never heard about this and has continued eating sandwiches/luncheon meat throughout their pregnancy and hasn't had a problem, but my nutritionist told me that listeriosis is actually pretty common amongst women because the weakness in the immune system during pregnancy.

Anybody have anything to say about it?

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

I've never heard of listeriosis, so this is news to me.  I don't really eat lunch meat, but I was wondering, does this include deli meat (the kind they slice in front of you at the deli counter in the grocery store)?  I eat that from time to time, and I know I ate it during my first pregnancy.  Or is it just the prepackaged stuff? 

Yes, it includes just about any kind of luncheon meat, including deli meats, packaged meats, hot dogs/sausages. They recommend that you heat up any kind of meat until it's steaming, to kill the bacteria before eating it. Listeria can also be found in fresh produce, which is why they also recommend that you wash/rinse your fruits and vegetables before eating it, especially if it's being eaten raw.

In order to protect yourself from Listeria, be sure to also steer clear of refrigerated pates, smoked seafood not contained in a cooked preparation, and hot dogs and deli meats that have not been steamed or reheated to 160 degrees.

http://miscarriage.about.com/od/infections/f/ cheeselisteria.htm

My OB warns against eating any deli meats, however she said its ok as long as you microwave it til its steamy. I guess that kills the bacteria or something.  I couldn't live without sandwiches!  Although my fav is a really rare shaved roast beef which you cant microwave and have the same effect, so I had to go without. :(