First Steps in Your Pregnancy: 

If you think you’re pregnant contact your GP as soon as possible to make sure:

1. Everything is okay
2. You start taking folic acid; it is recommended that women planning on getting pregnant take folic acid 3 months before and during the first 3 months of pregnancy to make sure it is in your blood to help protect your baby
3. You are registered for your booking appointment with the maternity hospital

It is very important you have your first appointment with your GP before 14 weeks. Don’t wait until you feel your baby move. The earlier you go, the better it is for you and your baby.

GP Visit:

Your GP will take a blood and urine sample and ask you the following questions:

• When was your last period?
• How often do you get your periods?
• Have you had any other pregnancies?
• Do you smoke? How many a day?
• Do you take drugs or drink alcohol? How much a day?
• Are you on any other medicine?
• Do you ever feel stressed or depressed?

The GP will also check your blood type.

If you are Rhesus negative, you will be given an Anti-D needle later in your pregnancy (28-30 weeks). This helps your body carry the baby as antibodies can build up in the blood.

After the tests and questions the GP will send a letter to the maternity hospital (of your choice) to tell them are pregnant and to book your first appointment this is called a ‘booking appointment.’

The hospital will send out an appointment card to your address; it is important they have the right address for you and you can get post. If you are having problems with the post talk to your Traveller Community Health Worker.

At this time you may feel:

• Tired
• Bloated
• Anxious
• Hungrier than usual

You might also get morning sickness. Sometimes it can help to:

• Get plenty of sleep and rest
• Drink lots of water
• Try not to eat big meals or fatty foods
• Try dry biscuits or dry toast before getting out of bed
• Ginger is food for settling the stomach – ginger ale or ginger tea might help with sickness

Food:

Putting on Weight

Putting on weight is normal during pregnancy, most women can expect to gain about 12 – 16 kg (almost 2-2.5 stone) during the pregnancy.

What to Eat During Pregnancy

• Fruits and vegetables
• Beans, cooked meat (chicken) eggs
• Pasteurized milk and cheese (no soft cheese)

Avoid 

• Don’t eat uncooked meat
• Try to  tea, coffee, coke, energy drinks and other fizzy drinks

If you are on a special diet, talk to your GP.

You may:

• Feel sick at the smell of some things
• Put on weight
• Have sore breasts
• Use the toilet more
• Be worried or down
• Feel tired

Harmful Things for You and Your Baby:

Smoking

Your baby can be born too soon, too small or sick. Children are more likely to have chest infections, asthma and ear infections if adults smoke around them.

Alcohol

When you drink alcohol, so does your baby. There is no safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy and there is no safe amount of alcohol. If you have diabetes or gestational diabetes, drinking alcohol makes the blood sugar level harder to control.

If you drink during your pregnancy, your baby can be born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. This has an impact on the baby’s organs and they can be born too small and have other health problems.

Drugs

If you take drugs during pregnancy your baby may be born sick and can have problems later on with speech and learning at school.

Some over the counter medications are okay to take, but ask the chemist and tell him/her that you are pregnant before taking.

Other medicines

If you are taking any medicines, talk to your GP first before your stop taking them as stopping right away could be more harmful to your baby.

Your GP or maternity hospital can help you stop these things. You can also contact your Traveller Community Health Worker if you want more information and support.