Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle is essential to support you and your baby’s development. However, you may get cravings for all sorts of strange combinations of foods!
Eating what you crave or having “treats” occasionally is part of most women’s routine during pregnancy and will not harm you or your baby as long as you generally maintain a healthy diet most of the time.
Healthy Eating
- Fruit and vegetables
- Lean meat and fish – especially oily fish such as mackerel, sardines, salmon etc
- Low fat milk and other dairy produce
- Wholemeal bread and pasta, potatoes and cereals
- Plenty of water
- Folic acid is essential for the healthy development of the baby. Folic acid can be taken as a supplement or can be found in dark green vegetables and some fruits
If you are on a restricted or special diet seek advice from your midwife or GP.
Food Safety
Following some basic rules will further protect your health and your baby’s and helps avoid infections:
- Wash all raw produce thoroughly
- All meat, fish and eggs need to be cooked completely through – avoid anything undercooked
- Pets should be kept well away from any food areas
- Avoid liver products and any mould-based cheeses as they may harm your baby
Fitness
Keeping fit during pregnancy will benefit both mind and body and your general wellbeing and help to limit the strain on you during this time.
Always ask advice from your midwife if you are at all concerned about taking exercise as it is essential this is done safely and appropriately.
Swimming, walking and any other form of gentle exercise will increase your ability to cope with your pregnancy. Any form of water-based exercise is usually suitable because it does not place any extra strain upon your body. There are also exercises you can do to help your pelvis which needs to be toned during pregnancy. Your midwife will be able to advise you on this.
Other Safety Issues
Smoking and excessive drinking can be harmful to your baby. Infections, premature birth and cot-death are all risks which increase if you smoke or drink in excess.
Any other recreational drugs including cannabis are also harmful to babies. If heroin and other strong drugs are used, babies can be born with a drug dependency and suffer extremely painful withdrawal symptoms.
It is also important to avoid any highly infectious conditions, toxic chemicals or X-rays.
Staying alert to these issues will ensure that your baby gets the best possible start in life.
If you are worried about any aspect of your pregnancy or if you are a smoker or a drinker and find it hard to stop ask your GP or midwife.
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