Barts and The London Maternity Service | For women and families | FAQs
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions to help you have a healthy pregnancy and baby. For other websites giving advice, please click here. For details of our information leaflets click here.
Q. When and why do I need to take folic acid supplements?
Q. What should I eat when I am pregnant?
Q. Is there anything I should not eat while I am pregnant?
Q. How much alcohol am I allowed?
Q. Is it safe to smoke during pregnancy?
Q. Is it safe for me to exercise in pregnancy?
Q. Is it safe to have sex during pregnancy?
Q. Why do my gums keep bleeding?
Q. When and why do I need to take folic acid supplements?
A. We advise all pregnant women to take folic acid tablets for the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy. For most women the dose is 400 micrograms (0.4mg) a day. You can get this from your GP or from a chemist.
Folic acid belongs to the family of water soluble B vitamins which are not stored in the body. It is essential to take a folic acid supplement in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy as this is important for your baby’s early development and lowers the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
Doctors also recommend taking a folic acid supplement from the moment you stop using contraception and start trying for a baby, if possible, as some of your baby’s most vital developments take place very soon after conception when you may not realise you are pregnant.
Q. What should I eat when I am pregnant?
A. A healthy balanced diet is best for you and your baby. Aim to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, starchy foods such as potatoes, pasta, rice and other cereals, foods rich in iron such as lean red meat, and calcium-containing foods such as dairy products, green vegetables and bony fish such as sardines.
Q. Is there anything I should not eat while I am pregnant?
A. Yes. Avoid the following food which carry the risk of being contaminated by bacteria:
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Unpasturised food
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All food made with raw or lightly cooked eggs
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Under-cooked meat, poultry and sea food
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Raw fish, especially shellfish
Also, try to avoid too much tea or coffee and drink plenty of water (about eight glasses a day).
Q. How much alcohol am I allowed?
A. Alcohol is not safe to drink when you are pregnant as it can damage your developing baby. Doctors still do not know for sure how much alcohol can be taken without causing certain damage, so the safest thing for your baby’s health is to avoid drinking alcohol at all in pregnancy. For advice about alcohol consumption, contact our specialist midwife on 020-7377 7000 ext 3470.
Q. Is it safe to smoke during pregnancy?
A. No. Smoking while pregnant can harm your baby, as well as damage your own health. It is linked to a range of health problems including premature birth, low birth weight, miscarriage, cot death, and breathing problems in your baby. Try to give up for the sake of your baby’s health and encourage your partner, if he smokes, to give up too. Second-hand smoke also contains harmful chemicals that can harm your baby.
We provide help and support for women during pregnancy and after the birth to quit smoking. For more information call on freephone 0800 169 1943.
For advice on giving up smoking, call the NHS Pregnancy Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 9 169 or visit www.givingupsmoking.co.uk
Q. Is it safe for me to exercise in pregnancy?
A. Appropriate physical exercise can make you feel better and is beneficial for both you and your developing baby. Your decision to start exercising when you are pregnant could be the start of a healthy lifestyle but you must remember to speak to your GP first and to start gently.
If you have exercised regularly before becoming pregnant, continue your programme and make adjustments as necessary. Personal trainers and gyms will often be able to suggest exercise programmes especially for pregnancy. It is important that you listen to your body as it changes from one month to the next and only do what feels comfortable for you.
Q. Is it safe to have sex during pregnancy?
A. Unless you have had pain or bleeding or your doctor advises you otherwise, normal sexual intercourse during pregnancy is safe for both you and your baby.
A. Mood swings are normal in pregnancy. Pregnancy triggers an outpouring of various hormones that can change and regulate your mood. Some women may be moody throughout pregnancy but it is most common around the 6th to 10th week, and then again towards the end of the pregnancy when your body is getting ready for labour and delivery.
Q. Why do my gums keep bleeding?
A. Hormone changes during pregnancy can affect the gums, making them more sensitive and inflamed. This can lead to red swollen gums that bleed easily. Gentle gum brushing can help but if it continues, see your dentist. Gum problems usually resolve after child birth.
