Can pregnant women eat river snails?

Generally speaking, pregnant women are not advised to eat river snails. The detailed explanation is as follows:

River snails mostly grow in freshwater environments, which are prone to breeding parasites such as liver flukes and schistosomes, and may carry large amounts of bacteria. Pregnant women are in a special physiological period with relatively weaker immunity. Consuming river snails could allow parasites or bacteria to enter the body, causing infections. If parasites invade the placenta, they may affect the normal development of the fetus, potentially leading to fetal malformations, miscarriage, and other serious consequences. Moreover, river snails have hard shells and tough meat, making it difficult to thoroughly remove internal parasites and bacteria during cleaning and cooking. Even with high-temperature cooking, it's hard to ensure complete elimination of all pathogens, thus posing safety risks. Additionally, river snails are cold in nature; their consumption may irritate pregnant women's gastrointestinal tracts, causing discomfort such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, which could indirectly affect the health of the fetus.

Pregnant women should avoid foods like river snails that may pose safety risks, and instead choose ingredients that have undergone strict quarantine and have clear sources. If abdominal pain, diarrhea, or other discomfort symptoms occur after accidentally consuming river snails, prompt medical examination and treatment are necessary. In daily diets, priority should be given to fresh, safe, and easily digestible foods to ensure the health of both the mother and the fetus.