Healthy pregnancy, birth and beyond

During pregnancy, your baby’s brain is growing very quickly and you can help this growth by taking some time out to relax and talk to baby, to stroke your bump and maybe play music. Encourage other close family members to do the same.

All adults need to be active and that includes pregnant women. Just 30 minutes of walking a day can help keep you and your baby healthy.

Staying fit helps you keep your energy levels up in the day and makes it easier to sleep at night.

It is always a good idea to eat healthily and during pregnancy it matters even more.

You may also be aware there are foods that need to be avoided in pregnancy.

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. Every cigarette smoked contains over 4,000 chemicals, so smoking when you are pregnant harms your unborn baby. Cigarettes can restrict the essential oxygen supply to your baby. As a result, their heart must beat harder every time you smoke.

Stopping smoking will help both you and your baby immediately.

During pregnancy you may have trouble sleeping.

While coping with the physical changes in pregnancy, birth and beyond, your emotional wellbeing is important too. Many women feel anxious, unhappy, mentally distressed, depressed or even more severely mentally unwell during this time, which can be unexpected. Please speak to your midwife if you feel you need more support.

You’ll probably have a lot on your mind during pregnancy. Coping with your symptoms and changing lifestyle, as well as everyday life, can sometimes be overwhelming. Your mental wellbeing in pregnancy is just as important as your physical health, so try to take care of your mind as well as your body.