Women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy should take special care as it’s important for you and your baby to remain as healthy as possible. To give your baby the best start in life you need to:
Give up smoking - by stopping you will benefit from less morning sickness, fewer complications and less chance of a low birth weight baby.
Avoid drinking alcohol - if you do choose to drink, to minimise the risk to the baby you should not drink more than one or two units of alcohol once or twice a week and should not get drunk.
Eat healthily - it is important to have a balanced diet which includes folic acid. Foods to avoid are liver and liver products, unpasteurised soft cheeses, raw eggs, shark, swordfish and marlin.
It is also important to attend ante natal appointments.
