Olive Medical Practice

Early Pregnancy Advice

1. Take a supplement
Start taking a daily folic acid supplement straight away. Folic acid is an essential
nutrient that protects your baby against brain and spinal cord problems such as spina
bifida.

You need a 400 microgram (mcg) supplement of folic acid . You can buy these over
the counter from pharmacies or supermarkets.

It's also recommended that you take a supplement containing 10mcg of vitamin
D every day. Pregnancy multivitamins usually contain both of these so you may wish
to take Pregnancy multivitamins instead of the above. Please check with the
pharmacist if unsure.

2. Check before taking medicines

You need to be careful about taking medicines, even over-the-counter ones. They
may be harmful to your unborn baby. Talk to your GP or midwife about any
prescription medicines you’re taking and ask your pharmacist for advice when buying
over-the-counter remedies.

3. If you smoke, it is time to quit

Smoking during pregnancy puts you at higher risk of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy
and premature labour. The smoke you inhale can also affect how your unborn baby
grows, resulting in a low birth weight.

It’s never too late to give up, and if you need help, talk to your midwife or doctor.
They’ll be able to put you in touch with your local stop-smoking support scheme. You
can also call the confidential NHS Smoke free advice line on 0300 123 1044 or visit
their website.

We don’t yet know much about the effects of using e-cigarettes while pregnant, but it’s
safest not to use one as the vapour usually contains nicotine and other toxins. If you’re
using an e-cigarette to help you quit smoking, speak to your midwife about
alternatives.

Go to our quit smoking section for information and support about quitting.

4. Cut out alcohol

There is no way to know for sure how much alcohol is safe during pregnancy. That’s
why experts advise you to not drink any alcohol at all while you’re expecting.

5. Cut down on caffeine

You can still enjoy a cup of coffee during your pregnancy. But you should limit yourself
to 200mg of caffeine a day, which is two cups of instant coffee or one cup of brewed
coffee.

If you regularly have more than 200mg of caffeine a day during your pregnancy, it
could increase your risk of miscarriage.

This 200mg limit includes all sources of caffeine, so as well as coffee you’ll need to
include teas (including green tea), cola, energy drinks and chocolate.

6. Learn what to eat and what not to eat

A healthy, balanced diet will make sure that you get all the nutrients you and your
developing baby need. Check out our pregnancy diet and get yourself into good eating
habits now.

It may surprise you to know that you don’t need extra calories in your first trimester or
second trimester. But you will need to avoid certain foods in pregnancy, because they
may contain bacteria, parasites or toxins that could harm your baby. This includes
some cheeses and unpasteurised dairy products, raw or undercooked meat, liver and
pate, and raw shellfish.

You can eat raw eggs or lightly cooked eggs, as long as they have the red British Lion
Quality mark.

7. Get relief from pregnancy sickness

Many mums-to-be suffer from sickness during their first trimester. To ease your
nausea, eat little and often. Try to work out which foods suit you and which ones make
you feel queasy.

Snacking on plain biscuits, crackers or breadsticks may help. Your sickness should
ease between 16 weeks and 20 weeks.

If you are vomiting many times a day and are unable to keep anything down, contact
your doctor or midwife as soon as possible. You may have severe morning sickness,
known as hyperemesis gravidarum.

8. Learn the danger signs

There are some pregnancy symptoms that you should never ignore. As your womb
grows you may feel mild cramps in your tummy and the odd twinge. Always check with
your midwife if you’re experiencing cramps, just in case.
If you have cramps with bleeding, call your GP, midwife or your hospital’s early
pregnancy unit (EPU) immediately.

9. Get as much rest as you can

It’s common to feel tired or even exhausted during your first trimester. This is because
your body is getting used to rapidly changing hormone levels. Take it easy and put
your feet up when you get the chance, although this can be hard if you’re working.

Try to get to bed at a reasonable time every night and get up at roughly the same time
every morning. This will help your body understand when it’s time to sleep. If you’re
not sleepy, unwind on the sofa with a book or soft music. Turn off your phone and
forget about work. Once your baby arrives, a little R&R will be hard to come by, so
enjoy it while you can.

It's also a good idea to get used to sleeping on your side now. As your bump grows,
lying on your stomach will not be comfortable, and lying on your back can affect the
blood supply to your baby. In fact, by the third trimester, sleeping on your side reduces
the risk of stillbirth compared to sleeping on your back. So, it’s well worth getting into
the habit now.

10. Get ready to see your baby

If you don’t have any complications with your pregnancy, your first ultrasound scan will
be your dating scan. This scan takes place between 10 weeks and 14 weeks of
pregnancy.

The sonographer will check your baby’s heartbeat and tell you when your baby is due.
The scan usually lasts around 20 minutes but may take longer if you have to wait for
your baby to wriggle into a better position.

11. Decide when to announce your pregnancy

Some women spill the beans to friends, family and colleagues right away. Others wait
until they’re in their second trimester, when the bump is much harder to hide!

If you’re experiencing complications, or if your job is strenuous or potentially

dangerous, you may need to reveal your pregnancy sooner.

12. Exercise
Regular exercise can help you to cope with the physical and mental demands of being
pregnant. As long as you feel comfortable, there’s no reason why you can’t continue
your usual exercise habits while pregnant. You’ll also find it easier to manage
your weight gain if you stay active.

Read more about how exercise can help you during pregnancy and learn which
exercises are best for you to do.
13. Do chores safely
Be cautious when using household chemicals and cleaning products. Wear gloves
and avoid direct contact with products that have strong fumes and warning labels.
When you’re cleaning, keep your windows open and try not to use products in aerosol
cans.

Think about whether your job will affect your pregnancy, especially if you work with X-
rays or chemicals.

14. Start doing your pelvic floor exercises

Pelvic floor exercises can help to protect you from leaking wee while you’re pregnant
and after your baby’s born. Strong pelvic floor muscles can make for a more satisfying
love life too, by making orgasms during sex more likely!

If you haven’t been shown how to do pelvic floor exercises during your antenatal
appointments, ask your midwife about them at your next visit.

15. Let your partner get involved

Most mums-to-be experience symptoms early on in their pregnancies. This daily
physical reminder of pregnancy helps you to bond with your baby from the start. It’s
not so straightforward for dads. Send your partner this guide to sharing in your
pregnancy. Understanding what is happening to you and your body will help him bond
with your baby too.

16. Buy a maternity bra

Your full, tender breasts can be one of the first signs of pregnancy. If your pre-
pregnancy bras are making your breasts uncomfortable, think about getting fitted for a
couple of good, supportive maternity bras.

17. Have a massage

If you’re suffering from pregnancy headaches or backache, or just need help relaxing,
treat yourself to a pregnancy massage. Or ask your partner to slowly rub your back,
shoulders, and head, relieving any tension.

18. Budget for your baby

Think about how you will handle the cost of having a baby. Expensive items such
as cots and pushchairs can all add up. Check out these ideas to save money or
increase your income and investigate buying second-hand to cut costs.
Congratulations from all at Olive Medical Practice