Listeriosis is a bacterial infection that's contracted from contaminated food or drink. The infection can cause serious effects for a pregnant woman and her growing fetus, including miscarriage or early delivery.

  The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers this advice about how pregnant women can reduce their risk of contracting listeriosis:

  Avoid eating processed meats such as hot dogs and deli or lunch meats, unless you heat them in the microwave or regular oven until steaming.

  Avoid meat spreads, smoked seafoods and pate that require refrigeration.

  Don't drink unpasteurized (sometimes called raw) milk or foods made with this ingredient. Cheeses that say 'made with pasteurized milk' are OK.

  Avoid store-bought pre-made ham salad, chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad and seafood salad.