Your Health in Pregnancy

You may experience a number of symptoms during pregnancy. Most of these are normal and will not harm you or your baby, but if they are severe or you are worried about them please speak to us. You may feel some tiredness, sickness, headaches or other mild aches and pains or have heartburn, constipation or haemorrhoids. There may also be some swelling of the face, hands and ankles, or varicose veins. Changes in mood and sex drive are also common. Sex is safe unless you are advised otherwise by your specialist.

Healthy Eating and Drinking

Make sure you eat a variety of different foods to get the right balance of nutrients for you and your growing baby. How you prepare and cook your food is also important, to prevent food poisoning. Take care as some foods need to be cooked well, such as meat, poultry, shellfish and eggs. Avoid pâté and mould ripened soft cheeses, liver and liver products.

There is no need to eat for two when you are pregnant. It is the quality not the quantity that is important. With a few exceptions you can continue to eat all the foods you enjoy.

Folic Acid

Folic acid helps to prevent abnormalities of the baby’s developing spine. The recommended dose is 0.8mg per day for at least 8 weeks prior to pregnancy, and up to 12 weeks into the pregnancy. If you have not taken Folic acid prior to becoming pregnant, then commencing Folic acid as soon as possible, and continuing to 12 weeks is recommended. If you are taking anti-epileptic medications, or have a family history of spinal anomalies, the recommended dose of Folic acid is 5mg per day. Other vitamin supplements should only be taken after discussion with ourselves. We do recommend that Vitamin A supplements should not be taken at any time during pregnancy.

Iodine

Iodine is an essential nutrient required in small amounts to support normal growth and brain development. It is recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women take one tablet of iodine (150 micrograms) daily. The tablet can be purchased directly from the pharmacy or obtained on prescription.

Caffeine

This is a stimulant that is contained in tea, coffee and cola drinks. Too much caffeine should be avoided as it is passed through the placenta and may affect your baby.

Alcohol

Alcohol increases the risk of miscarriage. It can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), giving rise to severe abnormalities. While many women will avoid alcohol during pregnancy, there is no scientific evidence to indicate that one glass of wine (or equivalent) per week, will cause any harm to a developing baby.

Medicines

Some pills and medicines can harm your baby’s health. So, to be on the safe side, you should assume that all medicines are dangerous until your specialist can tell you they are safe. You should make sure that your medical practitioner or dentist knows you are pregnant before prescribing anything, or giving you treatment. Talk to your specialist regarding medications that you take on a regular basis. Do remember that it is safer to take some medicines, for example those used to treat epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, than to leave the illness untreated.

Smoking

When you smoke, carbon monoxide, nicotine and other toxic chemicals cross the placenta directly into the baby’s blood stream. This will reduce the oxygen and nourishment to the baby. You baby is more at risk from low birth weight, prematurity and other problems. The sooner you stop smoking the better, but even stopping in the last few weeks of pregnancy can be beneficial.

Travel

If you are planning to travel abroad, you should discuss flying, vaccinations and travel insurance with your specialist. Long haul flights may increase the risk of venous thrombosis (blood clotting) and we would be pleased to offer advice.

Exercise

Regular exercise is important to keep you fit and supple. If you were inactive before you were pregnant, don’t suddenly take up strenuous exercise. Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous to be beneficial. Half an hour of walking per day can help you to keep active. If you can’t manage that, any amount is better than nothing. If you are involved in regular exercise classes make sure your instructor knows that you are pregnant. We encourage our patients to remain fit and well during their pregnancy.

Group B Strep

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a bacteria carried by up to 30% of women, causing no harm or symptoms. It is found in the intestine and vagina and causes no problems in most pregnancies. In a very small number of cases it causes infection in the baby, usually during labour, leading to a potentially serious illness. This is more likely if your labour is premature, your waters break early, you have a fever during labour, you currently carry GBS or if previous baby had a GBS infection. If appropriate, intravenous antibiotics are given during labour and will usually prevent infection of the baby. If you have concerns about GBS please discuss this with your specialist.

Feeding Your Baby

Breast feeding gives your baby the best possible start in life. Breast milk is the best form of nutrition for babies as it provides all the nutrients a baby needs. Most babies need no other food or drink until they are six months old. It is important to feed on demand since babies often don’t conform to a routine. Almost all women can breast feed, but it often needs practice and support to get it right.

If you decide not to breast feed your postnatal midwife can instruct you on bottle feeding and sterilisation techniques to ensure safe feeding.