Avoid alcohol if possible because it can pass from the mother’s bloodstream through the
placenta to the baby. However, an occasional alcoholic drink will not do any damage. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk to the baby of the
foetal alcohol syndrome. This increases the risk of mental retardation, retarded growth,
stillbirth and damage to the central nervous system.
Chlamydiosis can come from close contact with
lambs and their mothers and in results can cause miscarriage.
Toxoplasmosis from
cat faeces can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or
blindness in the baby.
Litter trays should be emptied carefully, if at all, and mothers should be careful if they are
gardening, trying to avoid anything that could have cat faeces on.
Some
essential oils may cause miscarriage, however others can be used to help minimise discomfort during pregnancy, such as
backache,
swollen legs and ankles and
nausea. The oils which suit you and your needs can be very different from another mothers so it is best to check with a
doctor before you use any type of essential oils.
During pregnancy the
abdomen gets bigger so clothes must either be loose or expandable around the waist. Some are designed with adjustable fastenings or built in growing room to allow for expansion. Many women simply buy
baggier clothes in larger sizes to accommodate their
bump. The days when pregnancy was hidden have disappeared and some women choose modern, stretch fabrics, which emphasise the figure. Good fitting
bras, which offer support to the
breasts, are important. They should be correctly fitted, not squash the
nipple, and have wide straps for comfort. Low or medium heeled shoes prevent backache and help the mother retain her balance.
No stilettos.
Most drugs can cross the placenta and may harm the foetus or cause withdrawal symptoms when the baby is born.
Illegal drugs (
LSD,
tranquillizers,
cannabis,
ecstasy,
heroin,
amphetamines and the fumes from
solvents such as glue and aerosols) can cause withdrawal symptoms. Drug addicted babies are typically smaller than average, irritable and much more difficult to settle. Many have a characteristic high-pitched cry.
If the mother is taking
prescribed drugs for a pre-existing condition such as
diabetes the GP should be informed of her pregnancy so that the foetus is not harmed. Over-the-counter medicines such as
travel sickness pills and some
indigestion remedies can be damaging to the foetus. No medicines should be taken during pregnancy without the advice of the
GP,
midwife or
pharmacist.
Being
pregnant should not interfere with a woman’s normal exercise regime. Activities such as
aerobics,
walking,
swimming,
dance classes and
cycling can be continued until
birth unless they before uncomfortable in any way. It would be unwise to
ski or do high-risk activities such as
hand gliding! If exercise has not been part of a woman’s routine before pregnancy she should check with her midwife about starting to exercise gradually.
During pregnancy some foods should be avoided and these are:
Eggs, products containing raw egg,
unpasteurised milk or products made from this, cook-chill foods,
pâté, undercooked
meat,
liver,
fruit and
vegetables with
soil on and
peanuts and peanut products. There are many reasons for a pregnant mother to avoid these types of foods, these are:
food poisoning, severe
illness, miscarriage, stillbirth, baby born with
listeriosis, overdose of
vitamin A, baby born blind or an allergic reaction which may cause
death for a child.
Food hygiene and
personal hygiene are important even if a woman is not pregnant but during pregnancy it is essential to be hygienic. If a mother is not hygienic she could contract an
infection, which can cause a miscarriage.
Minor infections cannot be avoided in everyday life and during pregnancy this is still the case, however, minor infections will not harm the baby in anyway. Contact with
Rubella (
German measles) and
Chicken pox, however, can be dangerous to the mother and the baby – these infections should be avoided at all times but a mother must be particularly careful during the first three to four months of her pregnancy.
The muscles around the
vagina,
bowel and
bladder openings need to be strengthened to cope with the strain of pregnancy and
childbirth. Exercises are given to the mother to perform, usually when on the
toilet, by the midwife. The exercises that the mothers are given to do usually depend on how their pregnancy is going and how strong their muscles are.
If a pregnant woman stands and sits with her
weight evenly balanced her posture will be
good, however if she does not do this her posture will be
bad which can lead to backache. It can take time to adjust to the additional weight, which a mother has to carry during pregnancy, but getting it right means no backache during pregnancy and later in life. When bending over or preparing to
lift something heavy the mother should bend from the
knees and
kneel to avoid any strain.
This is very important especially during the last three months of pregnancy. A mother is encouraged to have a rest for at least an hour everyday as this can prevent backache and
varicose veins. Relaxation helps to reduce stress so the mother she do any activities that she enjoys to aid this.
At the beginning of pregnancy a mother should sleep as much as she can as she may well feel unusually
tired. After twenty-three weeks her sleep maybe disturbed by the baby kicking or by a need to
urinate more often because of the baby pressing on her bladder. Her change in shape may make it more difficult to get comfortable but she may get support by using extra
pillows to prop her up.
Chemicals from
cigarette smoke pass to the baby from the mother’s
blood via the placenta. One of these,
nicotine, increases the baby’s heartbeat. The other,
carbon monoxide, decreases its
oxygen level, which affects its growth and development.
Passive smoking can be equally as damaging. Smoking increases the risk of premature birth, lower than average birth rate, miscarriage, stillbirth,
cot death,
SIDS, foetal abnormalities, damage to the placenta and learning difficulties in later life. Children born to heavy smokers or who live in a smoky house are much more prone to
bronchitis,
pneumonia and other chest infections.
Dental treatment is free during pregnancy and for the twelve months that follow the birth of the baby. Mothers should have regular checkups during pregnancy as the gums may need extra attention due to soreness and
tooth decay is more likely to occur to a pregnant mother.
X-rays can damage the baby in the
uterus and so they should be avoided at all times during pregnancy. The mother’s dentist needs to be made aware of the pregnancy so that the mother-to-be is not exposed to a dental x-ray at any time.