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Is it safe? · Pregnancy Smart

Is raw milk safe during pregnancy?

Assigned clinical reviewerMichael Yuzefovich· MD, FACOGDraft · pending clinical reviewUpdated

What does the evidence say about raw milk during pregnancy?

  1. Raw milk and raw-milk products can carry germs like Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella, and pregnant women are specifically named as a group at higher risk of serious illness from them. 1
  2. ACOG advises pregnant patients to avoid raw milk and anything made from it, including soft cheeses like feta, brie, or queso blanco, while confirming that those same cheeses are fine to eat when made with pasteurized milk. 2
  3. Raw milk hasn't been heated to the temperature needed to kill harmful germs. Good practices on a farm can lower the risk but can't guarantee it's germ-free, which is why the CDC recommends everyone choose pasteurized milk and dairy. 3
  4. Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely than other healthy adults to develop a Listeria infection. The FDA warns against unpasteurized milk and anything made from it, plus queso fresco-style cheeses regardless of which milk was used. 4
  5. About 1 in 25,000 pregnant women in the U.S. get a Listeria infection each year, and roughly 1 in 4 of those infections ends in pregnancy loss or newborn death shortly after birth, which is why raw milk sits in the strict avoid category rather than a moderate caution. 5

Is raw milk safe in each trimester?

  • First trimester. This guidance doesn't change by trimester. The infection risk is just as real in the earliest weeks as later on, so if you are trying to conceive or think you might be pregnant, switch to pasteurized versions now rather than waiting for a positive test.
  • Second trimester. Keep avoiding raw milk through the second trimester too. Farmers markets and dairy-farm visits can be tempting around now, so ask directly whether a milk, cheese, or ice cream sample was pasteurized before you taste it.
  • Third trimester. The risk doesn't ease up closer to delivery. A Listeria infection late in pregnancy can still contribute to preterm labor or a serious newborn infection, so keep choosing pasteurized dairy all the way through labor and delivery.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drink raw milk while pregnant?

No. Raw milk can carry Listeria, E. coli, Campylobacter, and other germs that a normal kitchen can't remove, and pasteurization is the step designed to kill them before the milk reaches your glass. Choose pasteurized milk instead, and consult your healthcare provider if you've already had some and are worried.

Is cheese made from raw milk safe during pregnancy?

Only if the label confirms it was made with pasteurized milk. Farmstead, artisan, and imported soft cheeses like queso fresco, brie, and feta can be made either way and often look identical at the counter, so check the label or ask before buying, and skip it if you can't confirm which one you're getting.

What about milk from a herd share or a friend's backyard cow or goat?

Yes, the same caution applies. A herd share, farmers market sample, or a neighbor's home dairy carries the same risk as raw milk sold anywhere else, no matter how clean the farm looks or how the animals are raised. If you can't confirm the milk was pasteurized, skip it.

How would I know if I got sick from raw milk during pregnancy?

A Listeria infection can feel like a mild flu, with fever, muscle aches, and sometimes nausea or diarrhea, but it can also affect the pregnancy with few or no symptoms in the mother. If you've knowingly had raw milk or raw-milk cheese during pregnancy, contact your healthcare provider promptly rather than waiting to see if symptoms show up.

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References

  1. Raw Milk

    CDC · https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/foods/raw-milk.html

  2. Listeria and Pregnancy

    ACOG · https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/listeria-and-pregnancy

  3. How Listeria Spread: Soft Cheeses and Raw Milk

    CDC · https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/causes/dairy.html

  4. Listeria (Food Safety for Moms-to-Be)

    FDA · https://www.fda.gov/food/health-educators/listeria-food-safety-moms-be

  5. People at Increased Risk for Listeria Infection

    CDC · https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/risk-factors/index.html

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.