Part 1
When I was a VERY visibly pregnant swine vet (see photo of my coveralls stretching to their max), I would get funny questions all the time about when I would introduce my baby to the pork industry. I liked to joke about introducing my newborn baby to bacon and ham sandwiches, and of course I couldn’t wait for the baby to meet a pig!
But in reality, Baby Haden had already been exposed to the pork industry. I’ve always eaten pork, and that didn’t change in pregnancy.
During one of my labor classes, we watched a video about nutrition in pregnancy. The video was very encouraging of protein consumption during pregnancy (on board!). Then the narrator made the statement that no expectant mother should ever eat meat from conventionally raised/non organic animals (Not on board!!). He went on to say that organic meat is the only meat that should be consumed by pregnant mothers, because you don’t know what kind of hormones and antibiotics you’re consuming when you consume conventionally raised meat.
Whoa!! My immediate reaction was to be incredibly offended. This man had basically told me that I am a bad mom and may have harmed my baby through my choice to eat pork! Once I got through my initial offence, I realized the key to what he said is that “you don’t know what kind of hormones and antibiotics you’re consuming”. That is the HUGE difference between me and the narrator. I know exactly what I’m consuming when I consume pork. As a Veterinarian, I prescribe antibiotics and I have complete control over any hormones used on my client’s farms.
My attitude changed from offense to sadness. I‘m sad that this man in the video makes pregnant women feel bad, or fear for their child because they’ve been eating non-organic what you’re consuming when you eat conventionally raised, non-organic pork. In the next 2 parts of this post I will talk about antibiotic and hormone use in the swine industry. The goal will be to move from being in the “you don’t know” camp, to moving towards the “I know, and therefore I can make an informed decision” camp.
Spoiler Alert!
Knowing what I know, I have no hesitations regarding antibiotics or hormones when it comes to eating non-organic pork.
Doing a Veterinary visit at a sow farm where I oversee any use of antibiotics or hormones.
