Pregnancy is a really exciting time, however it can also be one of confusion, with lots of conflicting advice and opinions. To help, Sea-Band has invited experienced practicing midwife, Gill Perks to give her top tips, to help all mothers-to-be along their pregnancy journey.
A Midwife's Advice:
1. It is safe for women to exercise when pregnant, and recommended that all try to do about 2.5 hours of moderate intensity activity spread throughout the week. Women who are used to exercise before pregnancy can maintain their level of activity in pregnancy as long as they are comfortable, however, don't try anything new or more strenuous than usual.
2. Some foods should be avoided in pregnancy. Always wash fruit and vegetables carefully before consumption. Guidance has recently changed and runny eggs are safe to eat if they have the Lion Mark. Avoid unpasteurised and unripe cheeses, pâté and do not eat more than two tins of tuna fish per week as well as avoiding shark, marlin and swordfish. Caffeine should only be drunk in moderation, beware of caffeine in coca cola too, and alcohol should be avoided altogether.
3. Wear gloves when gardening or changing cat litter to protect your baby from toxoplasmosis. Wash your hands before you put anything in your mouth!
4. It’s really important that friends and family offer lots of support in pregnancy, especially during the first 12 weeks, when expectant mothers can feel extremely tired and especially if suffer from morning sickness. If possible, having other people do the shopping and cooking can make enjoying foods easier and allows you to rest.
5. Avoid tight, restrictive clothing, particularly around the waistline. Pregnancy is a time to make yourself as comfortable as possible! Varicose veins can also appear during pregnancy, so avoid standing around for long periods and consider support stockings. See your GP if the problem persists.
6. Write a birth plan, even better call this ‘birth preferences’ and share with everyone who will be involved with the birth. This should ideally be ready by about 36 weeks when a pregnant woman can expect to have an opportunity to discuss her birth preferences with a midwife and perhaps visit their chosen birth setting. The birth preferences should include who you will want with you during labour and birth and the types of comfort measures you would like, for example, massage, labouring in water or gas and air. Of course, it is normal that some of these preferences may change during labour and you are free to change your mind! Some thought and consideration of preferences can be really helpful prior to the labour itself.
7. When people offer you help with your new baby say “yes please, bring me a meal!”
Find more tips from Gill, including videos, and find out your pregnancy superpower here!
Morning Sickness - My Experience
If you do suffer from morning sickness, consider simple remedies such as having dry crackers or Rich Tea biscuits as soon as you wake up, keeping a regular supply of snacks about you for keeping queasiness at bay during the day, eating whatever you feel like and not worrying too much about it, and try ginger biscuits, ginger or peppermint tea, boiled sweets and anything else that can help keep the yuckiness under control. I had severe morning sickness with Lara and hyperemesis with Tatiana, and all of those helped me at different stages. The homeopathic remedy Nux vomica is also great, but the most effective thing throughout both pregnancies was Sea-Bands acupressure wrist bands.
About Sea-Bands
Sea-Bands are acupressure knitted wrist bands that are clinically proven to relieve motion sickness and morning sickness, in addition to helping with post-operative and chemotherapy-induced nausea. These little miracle workers are easy to use, handy to keep in your handbag, car, by the sofa and bed, etc, and best of all, a drug-free relief for all types of nausea. We love this natural choice and find them effective for all types of nausea, great for travel sickness too.
Sea-Bands are available in adult and child sizes and are available online and from all major retailers, including Boots, priced £8.59.
For more information about types of nausea and forms of prevention, visit the Sea-Band website.
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A Midwife's Advice:
1. It is safe for women to exercise when pregnant, and recommended that all try to do about 2.5 hours of moderate intensity activity spread throughout the week. Women who are used to exercise before pregnancy can maintain their level of activity in pregnancy as long as they are comfortable, however, don't try anything new or more strenuous than usual.
2. Some foods should be avoided in pregnancy. Always wash fruit and vegetables carefully before consumption. Guidance has recently changed and runny eggs are safe to eat if they have the Lion Mark. Avoid unpasteurised and unripe cheeses, pâté and do not eat more than two tins of tuna fish per week as well as avoiding shark, marlin and swordfish. Caffeine should only be drunk in moderation, beware of caffeine in coca cola too, and alcohol should be avoided altogether.
3. Wear gloves when gardening or changing cat litter to protect your baby from toxoplasmosis. Wash your hands before you put anything in your mouth!
4. It’s really important that friends and family offer lots of support in pregnancy, especially during the first 12 weeks, when expectant mothers can feel extremely tired and especially if suffer from morning sickness. If possible, having other people do the shopping and cooking can make enjoying foods easier and allows you to rest.
5. Avoid tight, restrictive clothing, particularly around the waistline. Pregnancy is a time to make yourself as comfortable as possible! Varicose veins can also appear during pregnancy, so avoid standing around for long periods and consider support stockings. See your GP if the problem persists.
6. Write a birth plan, even better call this ‘birth preferences’ and share with everyone who will be involved with the birth. This should ideally be ready by about 36 weeks when a pregnant woman can expect to have an opportunity to discuss her birth preferences with a midwife and perhaps visit their chosen birth setting. The birth preferences should include who you will want with you during labour and birth and the types of comfort measures you would like, for example, massage, labouring in water or gas and air. Of course, it is normal that some of these preferences may change during labour and you are free to change your mind! Some thought and consideration of preferences can be really helpful prior to the labour itself.
7. When people offer you help with your new baby say “yes please, bring me a meal!”
Find more tips from Gill, including videos, and find out your pregnancy superpower here!
Morning Sickness - My Experience
If you do suffer from morning sickness, consider simple remedies such as having dry crackers or Rich Tea biscuits as soon as you wake up, keeping a regular supply of snacks about you for keeping queasiness at bay during the day, eating whatever you feel like and not worrying too much about it, and try ginger biscuits, ginger or peppermint tea, boiled sweets and anything else that can help keep the yuckiness under control. I had severe morning sickness with Lara and hyperemesis with Tatiana, and all of those helped me at different stages. The homeopathic remedy Nux vomica is also great, but the most effective thing throughout both pregnancies was Sea-Bands acupressure wrist bands.
About Sea-Bands
Sea-Bands are acupressure knitted wrist bands that are clinically proven to relieve motion sickness and morning sickness, in addition to helping with post-operative and chemotherapy-induced nausea. These little miracle workers are easy to use, handy to keep in your handbag, car, by the sofa and bed, etc, and best of all, a drug-free relief for all types of nausea. We love this natural choice and find them effective for all types of nausea, great for travel sickness too.
Sea-Bands are available in adult and child sizes and are available online and from all major retailers, including Boots, priced £8.59.
For more information about types of nausea and forms of prevention, visit the Sea-Band website.
Commissioned post