Wellbeing during pregnancy

So, you have decided that the time has come for you to have a baby. Starting a family is an exciting new chapter in your life and by making a few changes to your lifestyle now you will be able to give your child the best possible start in life. To help safeguard both your baby’s and your own wellbeing, there are some very simple things that you can do before, during and after pregnancy:

Planning your pregnancy

Give up smoking and alcohol: Many studies have shown that smoking and drinking alcohol are connected to problems such as low-birthweight babies, miscarriage and sudden infant death syndrome (cot death).
Blood test: Rubella, also known as German Measles, is a danger to pregnant women as the virus may infect the unborn child and can cause a range of severe birth defects. If you know that you are not immune to rubella, you should, if possible, be vaccinated before you become pregnant and then wait three months before trying to conceive. It may be advisable to visit your GP to have a blood test to check your immunity against rubella even if you have already been vaccinated.
Medication: Always talk to a doctor if you are already taking medication (especially if you suffer from epilepsy) and are planning a pregnancy.
Conception: Ovulation testing kits can help predict the best time to try for a baby, but they are expensive.

Folic Acid

All women want to have fit and healthy babies, which is why taking folic acid is so helpful. Action Research scientists have shown that women who take folic acid before and during pregnancy reduce the risk of their baby having a neural tube defect like spina bifida.

Folic acid is a B vitamin, available both as a supplement and as a fortification in some foods such as breakfast cereal and bread. It also occurs naturally (as folate) in other foods including green beans, brussels sprouts and yeast extract.

So when is the right time to start taking folic acid? Immediately after stopping with your contraception you are encouraged to take folic acid supplements up until the 12th week of pregnancy. Health professionals recommend the consumption of 400 mcg of folic acid each day. After the 12th week you will not need to continue with this as the baby’s spine will be formed.

What if I’m already pregnant? If you discover that you are already pregnant, start taking folic acid straight away and continue until the end of the twelfth week of your pregnancy. However, do not worry if you are more than 12 weeks pregnant, as taking folic acid is just a precautionary measure to reduce the risk of neural tube defects – most babies are perfectly healthy when they are born.

Is folic acid harmful? Research shows that folic acid is not harmful to you or your baby and does not produce any side effects. In fact, it is a vitamin that your body can get rid of naturally if you take more than you need.

Where can I buy folic acid ? Superdrug Stores Plc has a range of specialist supplements, such as Superdrug Folic Acid 400mg x 112, that provide a convenient way of taking those ingredients which may not be present at sufficient levels in a normal diet.

Why I take Folic Acid

"Taking folic acid is important as it helps protect against spina bifida which is a terrible condition. My message to other women is that if you want a healthy baby, then taking folic acid can help. To give your baby the best chance in life you will do anything, including giving up drinking and smoking – after all, it’s got to be a good thing if it ensures your baby’s health."
Brookside soap star, Bernadette Nolan.

During your pregnancy

Confirming you are pregnant: If you have missed a period and think you may be pregnant, there are a number of pregnancy testing kits available, including Superdrug’s own brand pregnancy testing kits (singles and doubles). Once you have determined that you are pregnant, you should contact your doctor to receive an estimated delivery date - calculated 40 weeks from the first day of your last period.
Ultrasound scan: The first ultrasound scan that you have will be arranged by your GP. Your partner will normally be allowed to attend, but it is worth checking with the hospital first.
Morning sickness: You will probably feel sick in the morning for about a six-week period, starting about two months into your pregnancy. If your morning sickness is quite severe and prolonged it may be useful to consider supplementing your diet with an all-round multivitamin and mineral supplement containing no more than 800 mcgs of vitamin A (too much vitamin A can harm your baby). Superdrug has a wide range of multivitamin and mineral supplements for you to chose from. If nausea persists you should visit your GP.

Any tips eg eating dry biscuits before you get up?

Foods to avoid: Avoid soft and blue-veined cheeses, meat pate, undercooked poultry and eggs, and alcohol during your pregnancy. Keep up your fluid intake, but avoid drinks containing caffeine. You should also avoid foods that contain high levels of vitamin A, such as liver and cod liver oil.
Looking after yourself: You will experience extreme tiredness within the first couple of months because your body will be working overtime as your baby forms. By taking some simple steps you can maintain your energy levels and help yourself to feel better. Remember to eat as early in the evening as possible; and a couple of hours before bedtime try to relax yourself with a warm bath. Also, remember to attend your routine antenatal checks as recommended by your GP.

Preparing for the read more