Pregnancy & Baby 

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10 steps to a healthy pregnancy

Dr Chris Brown advises perspective mums to give mother-nature a helping hand.

As in many other situations, like running a marathon or taking an exam, the chances of a successful outcome are greatly increased by thoughtful preparation. As pregnancy and parenthood are life's biggest project, it makes sense to do everything you can to make sure things go well. Here are some things to consider.

At least 4 months ahead

Book a pre-conception appointment with the midwife attached to your GP surgery. She will offer general advice about preparing for a pregnancy and will take some blood to check immunity against german measles (Rubella).It's likely you were immunised against Rubella in your teens, but not all women get lasting immunity, so it?s best to check. If you are not immune, the midwife can vaccinate you, but it is important to continue with reliable contraception for 3 months after the.

Start taking folic acid 400mcg daily. This should be started as soon as you stop contraception, and continued until you are 12 weeks pregnant. It reduces the risk of having a baby with spina bifida.

If you are significantly overweight, try to get your weight down before getting pregnant. Obesity can reduce fertility, and those who do get pregnant are at greater risk of developing diabetes in pregnancy.

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 1or 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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