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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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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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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Stacey - Do you think shock tactics work?

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Rachel - How being pregnant has changed her views 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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Stacey: How she isn’t sure about the real risks of smoking in pregnancy?

Stacey – 35 weeks pregnant on:
How she isn’t sure about the real risks of smoking in pregnancy?

Stacey said: “I don’t actually see a problem with smoking through pregnancy. Everybody I’ve known that has smoked through pregnancy and their babies have been fine. So the chances aren’t exactly really high are they?”


Midwife Hull said: "Of course not everyone who smokes has problems but the odds are higher. It’s a bit like not wearing your seatbelt in the car, you might be ok
But the chances of having a more serious accident are raised."

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Stacey: Is smoking in pregnancy really that bad?

Stacey – 35 weeks pregnant on:
Is smoking in pregnancy really that bad?

Stacey said: “I mean a lot of people put across “oh smoking’s real bad and this that and the other” but there’s a lot of people out there that do much worse things like taking like heroin and things like that.
That’s got more to do more to the baby than out else, so I don’t think smoking is actually a big like problem."


Midwife Hull said: "Smoking in pregnancy can have devastating affects on baby We know it increases you having a baby early (premature) which can mean your tiny baby is in hospital for longer and can affect how you bond with baby. Also smoking increases the risks of your baby developing chest infections, ear infections and asthma all of which may mean more admissions to hospital and taking medication."

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Tina: The need to clear up the guidelines on NRT in pregnancy.

Tina – 28 weeks pregnant on:
The need to clear up the guidelines on NRT in pregnancy.

Tina said: “That’s another thing that I couldn’t find when I wanted to give up smoking. Every time you went on to the internet I typed in smoking in pregnancy or giving up smoking in pregnancy, for instance every site said you shouldn’t really use anything. When you go to the smoking clinics you can actually use what you want as long as you don’t use a 24 hour patch.”


Midwife Hull said: "Nicotine replacement Therapy needs prescribing which is why I would advice you to go to the smoke free team. It is also free through this service."

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Tina: Coming to terms with the damage smoking in pregnancy can do.

Tina – 28 weeks pregnant on:
Coming to terms with the damage smoking in pregnancy can do.

Tina said: “I was cutting down before, because they didn’t know what was going on, but that I might lose my baby. It was hard because I was stressed and worse when I did lose it.”

Do you think that maybe had an effect on losing your baby?

“No I don’t think so. They do blame it on smoking and drinking, but with what happened to me I don’t blame smoking for that.”


Midwife Hull said: "Sadly smoking can cause miscarriage and stillbirth. Stopping before you are pregnant is ideal but as soon as you know you are pregnant contact the smoke free team for advice or midwife."

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Claire: The real likelihood of harming a baby through smoking in pregnancy.

Claire – 30 weeks pregnant on:
The real likelihood of harming a baby through smoking in pregnancy.

Claire said: “No to be honest I’m still smoking. I think it’s hard, I mean I’ve smoked for 21 years so I was ten when I started, you see so I think it’s really hard. And then people say “oh well it’s mean to the baby” but and then I feel mean. But then I think, well my kids are absolutely fine. There’s people out there that don’t do anything and they come out and there’s things wrong with their children and things. I think it’s the luck of the draw to be honest with you.”


Midwife Hull said: "There are always stories about people never smoking and having a small baby and people who do smoke having a healthy baby. It’s a risk you choose – your baby doesn’t get a choice!
If you smoke your baby will have a much greater risk of being small."

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Kelly: On the link between smoking in pregnancy and asthma.

Kelly – 21 weeks pregnant on:
On the link between smoking in pregnancy and asthma.

Kelly said: “I quit smoking for my child yes. I’m asthmatic, most of my family are asthmatic, my grandparents were asthmatic and I really don’t like the thought of giving my children asthma.
My son doesn’t have asthma and I didn’t smoke at all during the pregnancy, so from that point of view I see that as a good thing.”


Midwife Hull said: "Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your baby.
Smoking massively increases the risk of asthma as does second-hand smoke if you’re thinking of quitting why not get your partner or mum to quit with you?"

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Looking after a newborn

Here is an article taken from the NHS Choices websiten with information on how to look after a newborn.

It’s natural to feel nervous about looking after your newborn baby, but support is available.

Midwives and health visitors are there to help you with your new baby. Talk to them about any concerns that you have, and make sure that you know the basics in order to get started.

Baby essentials

You'll need the following basics:

* clothes (vests, sleepsuits, cardigans),
* nappies (if using reusable nappies, you’ll need sterilising solution and buckets),
* nappy rash cream,
* cottonwool (choose white),
* baby lotion or wipes,
* changing mat,
* cot (a Moses basket is fine for the first few months, and is easy to carry from room to room),
* cot sheets and cot blankets, and
* a pram or buggy suitable for a newborn.

For breastfeeding

* Breast pads,
* easy-access tops and nighties (front-opening or roomy T-shirts that lift up),
* nursing bras (at least two),
* bibs, and
* muslin squares.

For bottlefeeding

* Steriliser,
* four bottles and teats,
* bottle brush, and
* newborn formula feed.

To read the full article and to read about clothes, bottles and bathtime please go to http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/pregnancy/Pages/Caringforanewborn.aspx


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