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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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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Rachel - Using NRT

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Giving birth in a hospital: what to pack in your bag

Ever wondered what you need to pack in your bag to take to hospital? Here is an article taken from NHS Choices to help you pack the right items.

If you're having your baby in hospital, pack your bag well in advance (ideally by 37 weeks), so that you'll be ready to go if labour starts early.

You'll need:

* Something loose and comfortable to wear in labour. It shouldn't restrict you from moving around, or make you feel too hot. You may need about three changes of clothes.
* Two or three comfortable and supportive bras, including nursing bras if you're planning to breastfeed. Your breasts will be much larger than usual.
* About 24 super-absorbent sanitary towels.
* A washbag with toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, flannel, hairbrush, deodorant and other toiletries.
* Towels.
* Things that can help you pass the time and relax, such as books, magazines and music.
* A sponge or water spray to cool you down.
* Front-opening nighties, if you're going to breastfeed.
* Two T-shirts (one old one for labour).
* Dressing gown, slippers and socks.
* Five or six pairs of knickers, as you'll probably want to change them often to stay fresh.
* A loose, comfortable outfit to wear after you've given birth and when you go home.
* List of phone numbers.
* Some hospitals or midwife-led units will let you use your mobile phone. If you can't, make sure you have a phone card, or coins for the pay phone.

For your baby

* Disposable nappies (newborn size), or newborn-sized reuseable nappies.
* Cottonwool balls.
* Clothes, including a hat.
* A shawl or blanket to wrap the baby in.

Time to come home

* You’ll need a baby car seat. Get advice from a reputable shop when you’re buying this, and ask for a fitting demonstration.

To read this article on NHS Choices, please go to http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/pregnancy/Pages/Packyourhospitalbag.aspx


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Postnatal Depression

Taken from the NHS Choices, here is an article containing some information about postnatal depression.

If after giving birth the feeling of tearfulness hasn't cleared up within a few weeks, talking to your midwife or GP can help.

As many as eight out of 10 women get what's known as the 'baby blues'. It normally begins within a few days of the birth, and common symptoms include bursting into tears for no reason, or feeling fantastic one minute and miserable the next. Fortunately, the symptoms only last for a short time.

If you become more unhappy or upset, or if your low mood lasts longer than a week, you might have postnatal depression.

Postnatal depression affects one in 10 new mums. You're more likely to develop postnatal depression if:

• you’ve been depressed in the past,
• there's a family history of postnatal depression or depression during pregnancy,
• you've had a difficult pregnancy, or problems with your baby’s health,
• you feel isolated, with nobody close to talk to,
• you've had a recent bereavement,
• you have little money or nowhere settled to live, or
• you have twins or triplets, mainly because of the additional stress of caring for more than one baby.

But postnatal depression can happen to anybody, no matter what your circumstances, and no matter how much you love your baby.

If you’re feeling low, talk about it. Tell your partner, a friend or anyone you’re close to who’s a good listener. In milder cases, which are common, just having someone to talk to can often make you feel better.

To read the full article and to find out signs to look our for and ways you can get help & support please go to http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/pregnancy/Pages/postnataldepression.aspx


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Travel during pregnancy

Ever thought is it safe to travel during pregnancy? Here is some information taken from the NHS Choices website to guide you on what’s best.

With the proper precautions, and armed with information on when to travel, vaccinations and insurance, most women can travel safely well into their pregnancy.

If your pregnancy has no complications, the best time to travel is when you are 14 to 28 weeks pregnant.

Wherever you go, find out what healthcare facilities are at your destination in case you require urgent medical attention.

It’s a good idea to take your medical records with you so you can give doctors the relevant information if necessary. Have a check-up before you travel and don’t go unless you get the all-clear from your doctor.

Make sure your travel insurance covers you for any eventuality, such as pregnancy-related medical care during labour, premature birth and the cost of changing the date of your return trip if you go into labour.

To read the full article on when to travel, vaccinations, food and drink abroad please go to http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/travelhealth/Pages/Travelandpregnancy.aspx


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Where to give birth

Taken from the NHS Choices website, here is an article containing some information on the different places you can give birth.

Most babies in the UK are born in hospital, but some are born at home or in a midwife-led birth centre. Your midwife will know what’s available in your area.

Giving birth is generally safe wherever you choose to have your baby. It's your choice, and you can change your mind if you want to.

Your midwife will discuss the local options available to you, although you're free to choose any maternity services if you're prepared to travel to them. You can also get more information from:

* children's centres,
* your GP surgery,
* local maternity units,
* the National Childbirth Trust (NCT), which can put you in touch with local mothers (see Useful links), or
* a supervisor of midwives (contact a maternity unit and ask to speak to the supervisor of midwives).

Wherever you choose to give birth, you'll be able to write your own birth plan, which includes all your preferred choices for the labour and birth.

To read the full article on where you can give birth please go to http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/pregnancy/Pages/Wheretogivebirth.aspx


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Eating well for Pregnancy

Here is some information on how to eat well during your pregnancy taken from the NHS Choices website.

Eating a balanced diet during pregnancy can help to protect the health of you and your baby. It's also a good idea to eat healthily if you're trying for a baby because a healthy pregnancy starts well before conception.

Take at least 400 micrograms of folic acid a day while you're trying to get pregnant, and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Folic acid reduces the risk of your baby having a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida. A neural tube defect is when the foetus's spinal cord (part of the body's nervous system) doesn't form normally.

Folic acid tablets are widely available from pharmacies, or you can talk to your GP about getting a prescription.

Don't worry if you get pregnant unexpectedly and weren't taking folic acid supplements. Start taking them as soon as you find out, until you're past the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

• Do take your folic acid supplement every day.
• Do eat plenty of food rich in folate (the natural form of folic acid), such as green leafy vegetables, including spinach and watercress, nuts, pulses, wholegrains and fruit juice.

And:
• Don't take supplements that contain vitamin A, because too much vitamin A can cause foetal abnormalities.
• Don't eat liver or products that contain it, such as paté. Liver contains a lot of vitamin A.

To read the full article on which foods are safe to eat during pregnancy go to http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/pregnancy/Pages/healthyeating.aspx


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Fiona - Steps to stop smoking

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Rachel - How being pregnant has changed her views on smoking

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Rachel - General opinion on smoking

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Gemma: The dangers of smoking in pregnancy

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Fiona: NRT and Pregnancy

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Stacey: What do you think are the dangers of smoking in pregnancy?

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Sarah: On how she thinks Midwife Hull can help her and others.

Sarah – 29 weeks pregnant on:
On how she thinks Midwife Hull can help her and others.


Sarah said: “Yeah, it’s a good idea. Cos there’s a lot of younger mums using Facebook all the time don’t they? Cos I know my friends are always like putting pictures of their baby up and telling everybody about their first scan and things, so it’s a good idea.
I think it’s better than having just a person. I think it would get used quite a lot I think it’s a really good idea to be honest.
I would especially use it if its going to have different information on cos if you know it’s from an actual midwife, you know it’s you know something you can definitely trust.”


Midwife Hull said: "Hull midwife is a midwife working in Hull; I’ve been a midwife for 13 years with lots of experience. My advice will be research based and unbiased so no old wives tales."

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