Table 2 Midwives’ confidence in providing advice on foods and drinks to avoid or limit in a routine appointment and recall of advice on foods included for toxicological reasons (n = 122)

 Pate (meat and vegetarian)

Avoid

Microbiological

–

4 (3%)

10 (8%)

108 (89%)

–

 Liver/liver products

Avoid

Teratogenic

–

6 (5%)

5 (4%)

111 (91%)

–

 Cured meats (uncooked)

Avoid

Microbiological

Salami, prosciutto, pepperoni, chorizo

14 (12%)

28 (23%)

80 (66%)

–

 Game meat

Avoid

Toxicological

Venison/deer, hare, rabbit, wild boar

51 (42%)

29 (24%)

41 (34%)

31 (26%) (n = 121)

 Gamebirds

Avoid

Toxicological

Grouse, goose, pheasant, partridge, pigeon

52 (43%)

29 (24%)

41 (34%)

38 (31%) (n = 121)

 Raw or undercooked meat^b

Avoid

Microbiological

–

–

–

–

–

 Soft cheese (uncooked mould-ripened soft cheese with a white coating, uncooked soft blue cheese, any soft cheese made with unpasteurised milk)

Avoid

Microbiological

Brie, Camembert, Danish blue, soft goat’s cheese

3 (3%)

9 (7%)

109 (90%)

–

 Unpasteurised milk/cream

Avoid

Microbiological

–

5 (4%)

6 (5%)

111 (91%)

–

 White fish

Haddock, cod, pollock, tilapia, including breaded fish and fish fingers

14 (12%)

10 (8%)

98 (80%)

 Shark, marlin, swordfish

Avoid

Toxicological

11 (9%)

10 (8%)

101 (83%)

95 (79%) (n = 120)

 Oily fish

Limit

Toxicological

Salmon, trout, mackerel, herring

9 (7%)

10 (8%)

103 (84%)

64 (53%) (n = 121)

 Tuna (tinned)

Limit

Toxicological

–

6 (5%)

14 (12%)

102 (84%)

46 (38%) (n = 121)

 Tuna (fresh)

Limit

Toxicological

–

13 (11%)

17 (14%)

92 (75%)

52 (43%) (n = 121)

 Sushi made with raw fish

Avoid

Microbiological

–

14 (12%)

21 (17%)

86 (71%)

–

 Smoked fish, uncooked^bc

Avoid

Microbiological

–

–

–

–

–

 Shellfish, uncooked

Avoid

Microbiological and toxicological

–

14 (12%)

19 (16%)

88 (72%)

–

 Unwashed or unpeeled fruit, vegetables and salads^b

Avoid

Microbiological Microbiological

–

–

–

–

–

 Liquorice root^b

Avoid

–

–

–

–

–

 Raw or partly cooked hens’ eggs if not stamped with British Lion mark

 Raw or partly cooked goose, duck and quail eggs

Avoid

Microbiological

–

4 (3%)

7 (6%)

111 (91%)

–

Peanuts

Avoid only if nut allergy

Allergy

13 (11%)

19 (16%)

89 (73%)

–

 Standard multivitamins containing vitamin A

Avoid

Teratogenic

–

10 (8%)

12 (10%)

100 (82%)

–

 Omega-3 supplements derived from fish liver oil

Avoid

Teratogenic

–

31 (25%)

26 (21%)

64 (53%)

–

 Alcohol

Avoid

Toxicological

Wine, beer, spirits, cider, alcopops, cocktails

2 (2%)

4 (3%)

116 (95%)

–

 Caffeinated drinks

Limit

Toxicological

–

  Tea/coffee

–

4 (3%)

14 (12%)

104 (85%)

  Soft drinks

–

6 (5%)

13 (11%)

103 (84%)

  Energy drinks

Red Bull, Monster

6 (5%)

13 (11%)

102 (84%)

 Herbal tea

Limit

Pharmacological

Ginger, raspberry, mint

17 (14%)

28 (23%)

77 (63%)

–