Harmful Things

for you and your Baby

Please click on this leaflet, made by Travellers for Travellers, with easy to understand information to support you or a loved one during pregnancy.

Things that can be harmful for you and your baby

SMOKING, ALCOHOL, DRUGS, OTHER MEDICINES

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.

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SUPPORTS

If you would like information or support to reduce harm from drinking alcohol or using drugs, talk to your doctor at the maternity hospital or your GP. You can also talk to your Traveller Community Health Worker.

There are other places that can offer support, including:

Addiction Liaison Midwives

Some maternity hospitals have Addiction Liaison Midwives who can support women who may be struggling with addiction throughout their pregnancy. There is an Addiction Liaison Midwife at each of the maternity hospitals in Dublin. They can be reached at the numbers below.

Justin Gleeson, Rotunda Hospital – 01 855 5310

Vicky Hurley, National Maternity Hospital – 087 917 0484

Deidre Carmody, Coombe Hospital – 087 919 6525

If you are attending a different hospital, ask if they have an Addiction Liaison Midwife.

HSE Drugs and Alcohol helpline: 1800 459 459

A free and confidential helpline where you can talk through your concerns about drugs or alcohol. Open from Monday to Friday, 9:30 to 5:30.

Alcoholics Anonymous: 01 842 0700

If you are struggling with alcohol dependency, please call 01 842 0700 to find support in your area.

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