Pregnancy Advice

Folic Acid

Eating plenty of foods rich in folic acid may reduce the risks of having a baby with spina bifida. This includes fresh vegetables and fruit, some breakfast cereals and bread. We also recommend taking extra folic acid during the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy. 400 mcg tablets are available from the chemists or on prescription from Skerryvore Practice.

Iron

Most people get enough iron in their normal food to prevent anaemia during pregnancy. We do not routinely prescribe iron tablets during pregnancy, but would do so if you showed signs of becoming anaemic.

Diet

A normal healthy mixed diet is good for you and your baby. There are, however, a few do's and don'ts to keep your baby in good health.

Eating plenty of foods rich in folic acid may reduce the risks of having a baby with spina bifida. This includes fresh vegetables and fruit, some breakfast cereals and bread. We also recommend taking extra folic acid during the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy. 400 mcg tablets are available from the chemists, and we would be happy to prescribe them.

We advise you not to eat pate, chilled cooked food and soft cheese eg Brie. These may contain large amounts of bacteria called Listeria. If these bacteria affect you during pregnancy, it may result in your baby being born prematurely and unwell.

It has been suggested that eating large amounts of liver during pregnancy may be harmful.

Eating more fibre (roughage) may prevent constipation which is common during pregnancy.

We do not advise eating undercooked meat. This is because of the risk of Toxoplasmosis which may harm your baby before it is born.

Smoking, Drugs & Alcohol

Smoking during pregnancy can cause miscarriage and premature labour. It can also slow your baby's growth. We advise that you stop smoking during pregnancy. Please ask for help if you find this difficult.

Many medicines and drugs (including herbal and aromatherapy preparations) can cause problems in pregnancy. Please ask about any drugs you are taking whether prescribed or bought from the chemist. Paracetamol is safe at any stage in pregnancy.

Excess alcohol can damage your baby. Try not to drink more than one unit a week.

Exercise

We encourage you to keep active, taking exercise as usual. You need only avoid heavy lifting.

Sex

Although feelings towards sex may change, intercourse is not harmful during a normal pregnancy. However, if you have had bleeding during early pregnancy (threatened miscarriage), you may be advised not to have intercourse for a while.

Animals

Certain infections caught from animals may cause serious problems in your baby before it is born. To avoid these, we recommend you do not help with lambing nor feeding lambs and do not handle cat litter and always wash your hands after handling pets.

Scan

We offer an ultrasound scan to all our patients around 11- 13 weeks after the last period. This is to confirm your due date and to make sure that we take the 16-week blood test at the right time. Your partner is welcome to come along.

Specialist

If you have medical problems, have had problems in past pregnancies or develop problems in this pregnancy, we will arrange for you to see a visiting specialist from Aberdeen. If your pregnancy is straightforward but you would still like to see a specialist, please ask and we will arrange this.

16-week Blood Test (AFP)

Between 16 and 17 weeks after your last period, we will offer you a blood test. This is to find out if you are at a higher risk of having a baby with spina bifida or Downs syndrome. We will discuss this blood test with you then.

When to come in

We advise you to contact the Balfour Hospital Maternity Ward if

• your waters have broken
• you are have regular contractions or tightenings
• you have any vaginal bleeding
• you need pain relief for your contactions

Vitamin K

Vitamin K has, for many years, been given to babies soon after birth to protect them from a serious bleeding disease (Haemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn). This injection will be given (with your permission) to your baby shortly after birth.

Breast Feeding

Breast feeding can be a fulfilling and enjoyable experience. It will protect your baby against many major diseases during the first year of life and may also help you to lose weight.

It is helpful for the baby to have the first feed soon after birth as the sucking reflex is usually strong then. Supplementary bottle feeds are unnecessary and often cause problems when breast feeding.

Help and advice on feeding is available to all mothers whether breast or bottle feeding. Please speak to the midwives, health visitor or any of the doctors.