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PregnancyNutrition and fitness10 steps to a healthy pregnancy
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10 steps to a healthy pregnancy

continued from page 1

  • Stop smoking. Smoking in pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, premature labour, and low birth weight babies. Your surgery should be able to put you in touch with a `stop smoking' service.

  • If you are taking any drugs, either prescribed, over the counter, or recreational, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice about their safety in early pregnancy. Many occasional use medications and over the counter products can be bad for developing babies.

    Some prescribed medications such as epilepsy medication and some anti-depressant treatments can cause foetal abnormalities if taken in pregnancy. It may be necessary to make some changes before conceiving.

    • In early pregnancy

  • Minimise your alcohol intake. Medical opinion is divided as to whether a small amount of alcohol in pregnancy is OK, or whether it should be avoided altogether. If you drink at all, it should be no more than 1 or 2 units at a sitting, and no more than once or twice a week.

  • Certain foods should be avoided in pregnancy as they may contain bacteria that can harm the baby. The list is long, and your midwife should be able to give you some written information at your pre-conception check, but here is a list of common foods that can cause problems:

    Soft, ripened cheeses such as Brie and Camembert, blue cheeses, prepared pates, ready cooked poultry and cooked-chilled meals. It's also best to avoid any products made with unpasteurised milk or raw eggs.



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