Healthy lifestyles

 

Weight management

Putting on too much or too little weight can lead to health problems for you or your unborn baby.

The NHS website has some information about healthy pregnancy diet

 

This animation shows how to best support pregnant women and mothers with eating disorders.

Diabetes

Most pregnant women with diabetes will go on to have a healthy baby, but there are some possible complications you should be aware of.

If you were diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes before you got pregnant read here for more information 
Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar (glucose) that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after giving birth.  It can happen at any stage of pregnancy, but it is more common in the second or third trimester.  If you have developed gestational diabetes and would like more information click here

Sex, contraception and pregnancy

Important information for women with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

Smoking

Protecting your baby from tobacco smoke is one of the best things you can do to give your child a healthy start in life.  It can be difficult to stop smoking, but it's never too late to quit.

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There are many benefits of stopping smoking in pregnancy, to get support contact your midwife and they will introduce you to the specialist smoke free pregnancy team at your local hospital.

Information about stopping smoking in pregnancy is also available on the NHS website and at Smoking and pregnancy | Tommy's (tommys.org)

Stopping smoking will help both you and your baby immediately. Harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide, reduce the amount of oxygen available for baby, however after 24-48 hours of stopping smoking these levels return to normal. 

When you stop smoking:

  • you will reduce the risk of complications in pregnancy and birth
  • you are more likely to have a healthier pregnancy and a healthier baby
  • you will reduce the risk of stillbirth
  • your baby is less likely to be born too early and have to face the breathing, feeding and health problems that often go with being premature
  • your baby is less likely to be born with a low birth weight. Babies of smokers are, on average, 200g (about 8oz) lighter than other babies, which can cause problems during and after labour. For example, they are more likely to have problems keeping warm and are more likely to get infections
  • you will reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also known as "cot death". (Smoking during pregnancy or after birth increases the risk of SIDS - The Lullaby Trust)

You can always talk to your midwife, pharmacist and GP they are all there to support and help you and your baby.

Exercise

Useful links for exercising during and after pregnancy.

Drink aware

Not drinking alcohol is the safest approach.

Drinking alcohol at any stage during pregnancy can cause harm to your baby – the more you drink, the greater the risk. This is why the low-risk drinking guidelines advise pregnant women that the safest approach is to not drink alcohol at all during pregnancy.  Find out more on the Drink Aware website.