Why is folic acid important in pregnancy?

NHS Choices state that folic acid is important to protect your unborn baby from neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

Folic acid is a B vitamin. It occurs naturally in foods such as beans and pulses (e.g. chickpeas, lentils), green vegetables, and yeast and beef extracts.

Some foods are also fortified with folic acid (this means they have folic acid added to them), such as certain breads and breakfast cereals. Check the labels on the packaging. Products with extra folic acid should display a round symbol with the letter F in the centre.

To read the full article please go to http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/pregnancy/Pages/Folicacid.aspx


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Stacey - Is it wrong to smoke during pregnancy?

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Fiona: Why some women might not ask for help

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Morning Sickness

A lot of mums to be are affected by morning sickness, so here is an article taken from NHS Choices website.

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) is an unwelcome but perfectly normal part of pregnancy. It does not put your baby at any increased risk.

Although it is commonly called morning sickness, NVP can occur at any time of the day.

How common is NVP?

During early pregnancy, nausea, vomiting and tiredness are common symptoms. Around half of all pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting, and around 3 in 10 women experience nausea without vomiting.

Outlook

NVP usually starts to get better after the first three months of pregnancy. However, some women continue to experience NVP for a longer period. About 1 woman in 10 continues to feel sick after week 20 of their pregnancy.

NVP is sometimes considered to be a minor inconvenience of pregnancy, but it can have a significant, adverse effect on an expectant mother’s day-to-day activities and quality of life.

NVP can often be treated by making dietary changes and taking plenty of rest. The support of family and friends can also make NVP more manageable.

To read the full article to find out more about symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment please go to http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/morning-sickness/Pages/Introduction.aspx


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Which foods should I avoid during pregnancy?

There are some foods you shouldn't eat when you're pregnant to avoid exposing yourself to the risk of food poisoning or because they're potentially harmful to your unborn baby. This includes Listeria, Campylobacter and salmonella, Toxoplasmosis, Vitamin A and Fish to limit.

To read the full article and to find out some more detailed information please go to http://www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/917.aspx


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