Weight management

Weight gain in pregnancy

Normal weight gain in pregnancy is between 10-12.5kg (22-28lb). Calculate your BMI (Body Mass Index) with the BMI calculator below, using your pre-pregnancy weight. If you start your pregnancy with a high BMI (more than 35) or low BMI (18 or less) your midwife or GP may give you special dietary advice about weight gain or loss.

Lifestyle information

Recreational/illegal drug use

Use of illegal or street drugs when pregnant can seriously harm you and your baby. If you (or someone close to you) are using drugs, it’s important to seek help straight away. You can talk to your midwife, GP or any of the specialist treatment services that are available. For 24 hour immediate help and support contact this advice line: FRANK: Tel: 0300 123 600 Text: 82111

Smoking

Smoking and inhaling passive smoke is extremely harmful for you and your unborn baby. A single cigarette contains as much as 4,000 chemicals which travels to your unborn baby via your bloodstream. Even smoking as little as one a day can increase risk of complications in pregnancy and birth. Quitting smoking as soon as possible while you are pregnant can protect against:

• low birth weight
• pre-term birth
• miscarriage
• stillbirth
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)/Cot Death
• birth anomalies

Support

You are much more likely to quit with the help of a trained stop smoking advisor. Pregnancy is an ideal time to quit smoking for good. Your midwife or GP can refer you to local smoking cessation services or you can self-refer via the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0300 123 1044. The type of stop smoking support you receive will depend on where you live and your personal preferences. Stop smoking services usually offer:

• Weekly support either face-to-face, over the phone or online
• Free medication or medication on prescription to help you stop smoking

Most nicotine replacement therapies are safe to use in pregnancy. Your stop smoking advisor should be able to support you in finding the right method to help you quit smoking whilst pregnant.

E-cigarettes

Although not risk free, e-cigarettes carry a small fraction of the risk of smoking. If using an e-cigarette or ‘vaping’ helps you stay smoke free, it is far safer for you and your baby than continuing to smoke. If you want to use an e-cigarette, you can still get free expert help from a specialist stop smoking advisor.

Carbon monoxide screening

Carbon monoxide testing is offered to all women at booking and again at 36 weeks of pregnancy. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that goes into your lungs when you smoke or inhale the passive smoke of someone else’s cigarette. It can also be found if there is a faulty boiler, cooker or car exhaust. Regular checks of household gas appliances are advised. Free Health and Safety gas advice is available on 0800 300 363 (Monday to Friday). Read the links below for more information about smoking and carbon monoxide.

Alcohol

The point at which alcohol consumption becomes dangerous to an unborn baby is unknown. The safest way to protect against the effects of alcohol is to avoid it completely. Babies born to mothers who drink alcohol excessively when pregnant can be affected by a range of disorders known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Talk to your midwife or GP if you have concerns about alcohol in pregnancy.

Diet

A healthy varied diet is recommended in pregnancy including plenty of fruit, vegetables, carbohydrates, protein and dairy. You do not need to eat for two, but you may need to have regular healthy snacks as your body works to support the growing baby. There are some foods that you should avoid during pregnancy because they could make you unwell or harm your baby. Guidance around which foods to avoid can change as new evidence or research is found. If you are a vegetarian it is important to eat foods that top up your iron levels, such as brown bread, beans and green leafy vegetables. Dairy foods, or fortified dairy alternatives are an important source of protein, vitamin B12, calcium and zinc.

Foods and drinks to avoid in pregnancy

Moringa tea, used by different cultures for blood cleansing and waste excretion, contains dangerous chemicals from the moringa root, bark and flowers which can make the uterus to contract prematurely (too early). Some of the spices in chai tea can be harmful in pregnancy. Cloves can lead to seizures and intestinal (gut) bleeding when over-consumed. Chamomile can cause miscarriages. Quinine, found in in Indian tonic water, traditionally used to treat leg cramps and malaria, can cause birth defects. Nourishment drinks, such as Caribbean guinness and peanut punch is not suitable for pregnant/nursing people. These drinks contain fortified vitamins and minerals which may exceed the daily recommended intake values. Liver can damage the unborn baby’s eyes and used in excess may lead to miscarriage, premature labour and severe eczema. Liver is traditionally used in pepper soup. Sweet rice, made as a traditional dish in some cultures can lead to gestational diabetes. Sweet dishes such as this should be eaten in moderation. A diet high in red meat and saturated fat, can reduce the production of platelets, leading to a condition known as thrombocytopenia.