The pregnancy care planner

Your health during pregnancy

A healthy diet is very important if you're pregnant or are planning to have a baby. The best diet is one with a variety of different foods, but take care with certain foods because they can be harmful (see the link below). You also need to be careful with alcohol, medicines and drugs, so check with your doctor before taking any of these. If you smoke, it’s important to stop as soon as possible.

Keeping active during pregnancy is also a good idea, as it will help you to adapt to your changing shape by strengthening muscles so that you can carry the extra weight of pregnancy. Keeping active will also help to prepare you for the birth by strengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor, which come under great strain during pregnancy and childbirth.

What should you eat?

Vitamins, minerals and special diets

Foods to avoid

Smoking

Alcohol, pills, medicines and other drugs

Exercises and keeping active

Infections that may affect your baby

Stay healthy at work