Heinz - Tinytums

My Pregnancy

1. Why is it important to take folic acid before becoming pregnant?
2. What is morning sickness?
3. Are there any foods I should be avoiding now that I am  pregnant?
4. What is toxoplasmosis?
5. Can I drink alcohol during pregnancy?
6. I have unusual food cravings, is this normal?
7. I suffer terribly with indigestion and heartburn, how can I relieve this?
8. Does having sex during pregnancy hurt the baby?
9. What will I need to take with me into hospital?
10.  How will I know how to feed my baby?

1.  Why is it important to take folic acid before becoming pregnant?
Folic acid is especially important if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Folic acid plays a crucial role in the healthy development of your baby and helps to prevent birth defects such as spina bifida.

If you are planning to become pregnant, you should take folic acid for at least 12 weeks before conceiving. After that continue to take folic acid for the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy.

The recommended amount to take is 400 micrograms as a supplemental tablet. A folic acid supplement is important because although folic acid can be found in many foods that you may eat every day, it would be difficult to achieve the additional 400 micrograms.

2.  What is morning sickness?
Morning sickness is one of the first signs of pregnancy.  It is usually caused by the high levels of hormones flooding the body and actually means that the pregnancy is progressing normally.

Although it is called morning sickness, it can strike at any time of the day and many women report feeling sick towards the end of the day.

It can occur more frequently when you don't eat enough, so always keep some snacks, such as dry crackers or fresh fruit, close to hand.

For most women, morning sickness lessens from about month 3 of pregnancy when your body has got more used to the high levels of pregnancy hormones.

For more detailed information and advice go to our section You and your body/First Trimester.

3.  Are there any foods I should be avoiding now that I am  pregnant?
There have been concerns about the safety of eating certain foods during pregnancy because they contain bacteria like listeria and salmonella, or they may have high levels of vitamin A, which is potentially harmful to the unborn baby. Therefore the following foods should be avoided:

• Unpasteurised cheese e.g. brie, camembert, stilton and Danish blue
• Pâté
• Raw or soft boiled eggs
• Raw or lightly cooked meat
• Liver and foods made from liver
• Cod liver oil
• Chilled meals or ready-to-eat chicken unless reheated until piping hot

4.  What is toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is an illness caused by infection with an organism which has been found in raw meat, cat faeces and soil, which can affect the pregnant woman and in rare instances, her unborn baby. To avoid toxoplasmosis:

• Pay particular attention to hygiene.
• Do not eat any raw or undercooked meat - and always wash hands thoroughly after handling raw meat.
• Always wash vegetables and salads carefully to remove any soil and dirt which can carry the infection if it has been fouled by cats.
• Goats' milk may occasionally carry toxoplasma, so any goats' milk in the diet should be pasteurised, sterilised or UHT (ultra-heat-treated).
• Awareness of contact with cats and kittens should be paramount. Cat litter trays need to be kept clean. Where possible someone else should clean out the soiled litter tray and if this isn't possible rubber gloves should be worn. Then wash gloves and hands thoroughly. Avoid contact with stray cats and kittens.
• Also, always wear gloves for gardening to protect hands from contamination where soil may have been fouled by cats.

5.  Can I drink alcohol during pregnancy?
Scientists agree that drinking too much when you’re pregnant affects your baby’s physical and mental development.  But no one’s sure how much is too much.  Current government guidelines recommend no more than two units, once or twice a week.  (Just to remind you – a unit is a small glass of wine, half a pint of beer or a single measure of spirits.)

6.  I have unusual food cravings, is this normal?
Unusual and apparently revolting food combinations such as braised steak and custard, marmalade and pickled onions or custard creams dipped in marmite can become favourite snacks for a pregnant woman. This can be considered normal.

Pregnant women have been known to drive several miles for some smoked salmon, avocado or even a bottle of vinegar. On the list of stranger food fetishes during pregnancy are coal, soot, chalk, tar, bed sheets and matchboxes, inedible items for which some pregnant women have a strong desire.

Some experts put the extreme cravings down to a condition called 'Pica' (the Latin name for Magpie), an abnormal desire to eat inedible foods. Others claim the urges are a way for the body to tell a woman she needs more of certain nutrients such as iron, calcium or vitamins. However, there is little evidence for this.

7.  I suffer terribly with indigestion and heartburn, how can I relieve this?
Is your baby grows, there is less and less room in your abdomen and so your stomach sometimes gets squashed which can cause the feeling of indigestion or heartburn. To help avoid or relieve the symptoms:

• Avoid foods which upset you the most
• Eat smaller meals more often
• Sit up straight to avoid pressure on your tummy
• Try not to lie down too soon after eating and when you are resting it can help to be lying propped up
• Ask you GP about suitable antacids if symptoms persist

8. Does having sex during pregnancy hurt the baby?
The most common advice is that it has no affect on the baby to continue love-making when pregnant (about one-third of women report they felt sexier in months 4-7 of their pregnancy) but it is also perfectly normal to go off love-making during pregnancy.  You should avoid having sex if you had any bleeding or any early contractions of the womb.

9.  What will I need to take with me into hospital?
If you are planning to give birth to your baby in hospital, pack a case a couple of weeks ahead of your due date, ready to take with you. You will need:
 
For labour

• Warm non-slip socks – you may become cold in labour
• Huge baggy man's T-shirt for ease and comfort
• Small bottle of water
• Glucose tablets – for energy
• Small bottle of plain massage oil
• Hot water bottle - hot compress for backache
• Light/easy reading book or magazine
• Walkman for soothing music
• Loaded camera

After labour

• Pack of very soft sanitary towels or maternity pads
• Disposable paper knickers
• Nursing bras and breast pads
• Front opening nighties for easy breast feeding
• Address book and money for pay phone
• Light dressing gown and slippers
• Toiletries and towels
• Newborn nappies, vests and sleepsuits for your baby

If your stay in hospital is going to be longer than a few days you may prefer to take loose comfortable clothes to wear during the day.

10.  How will I know how to feed my baby?
There is absolutely no doubt that breast is best! Breast milk provides the right amounts of all the nutrients your new  baby needs for healthy growth, along with antibodies which help protect against common infections.

However, for some mothers breast feeding is not suitable, either from choice or for medical or practical reasons. This is when infant formulas are the best alternative to breast milk

Breast feeding not only provides all the nourishment your baby needs, in the right quantity, but will benefit you too as it helps the womb to return to its normal size. If you continue for a few months, it will improve your figure further, by using up the extra fat your body has stored in preparation for making milk. It's also the ultimate convenience food - readily available, already sterilised, at the right temperature and completely free!
 
Once established, breast feeding should be an enjoyable experience for both of you and an important part of building a bond between you.

You don't have to feel you’re letting your baby down if you can't breast feed though. Feeding time will still be an opportunity for sharing warmth and affection with your baby.

Before the birth, visit our section Feeding your Baby and then take time to discuss the possibility of breast or bottle feeding with your midwife and your partner.

Important notice: Breast-feeding is best for your baby, and a healthy balanced diet is important for you when breast-feeding. A decision not to breast-feed can be difficult to reverse. Also the introduction of partial bottle-feeding will reduce the supply of breast milk. An infant formula should be used on the advice of a doctor or health professional, and the cost of infant formula should be considered when deciding how to feed your baby. If an infant formula is used, all the preparation, storage and feeding instructions should be followed carefully, as this is important to your baby’s health. Follow-on milks are not breast milk substitutes and are suitable for babies from 6 months, as part of a weaning diet.