For first time mums there are so many different things they may need to seek advice on and a wide range of places to get answers to all of their burning questions.
A qualified midwife is by far the best placed person to help you – they are trained, highly skilled and experienced, having spoken to many women in the same position hundreds of times.
But what are the main areas of pregnancy advice midwives tend to provide expectant mothers with? In this article we take a look at some of the serious and not-so-serious topics.
What are the important pregnancy advice topics?
Here is a selection of some of the popular topics and questions that midwives are often asked by first time mums.
Exercise
- What are the best forms of exercise that I can do while pregnant?
- What level of exercise is safe to do?
- Can I drink alcohol during pregnancy?
- Should I stop smoking?
- How much weight will I expect to gain and how quickly?
Diet
- Do I need to ‘eat for two’ or is this a myth?
- Are there any vitamins or mineral supplements I should take?
- What foods should I avoid?
- Can I eat shellfish or soft cheeses?
- Should I stop drinking coffee?
Aches and pains
- What position should I sleep in to help with my pelvic pain?
- How do I deal with constipation?
- What do I do if I feel unwell?
- What are the causes of bleeding during pregnancy?
Medications
- Are the prescription medicines I’m taking still safe to take?
- What medications are safe to take if I have a headache, cold or the flu?
- Are complimentary medicines safe to continue with using?
Lifestyle
- Are there any changes I need to make to my beauty regime, such as stop using sunbeds?
- Can I use a Jacuzzi still?
- Are there any restrictions on having sex?
- Is it safe to use hair dye?
- Are paint fumes going to be damaging for my baby?
Travelling while pregnant
- How late into my pregnancy can I fly on a plane?
- Can I have holiday vaccinations while pregnant?
- Are there any countries in the world I should avoid travelling to?
Light-hearted pregnancy advice
While it’s important to feel happy that you have all of the serious questions answered, there are often some more light-hearted ones that midwives get asked on a regular basis:
- Will my baby be late as it’s my first one?
- If one breast is bigger than the other then am I having a boy?
- Will a thunder storm bring on my labour?
- If I eat a hot curry will it bring on labour?
- If my bump is high and straight-out, does that mean I’m having a boy?
Whether you want to know more about how your lifestyle can affect your pregnancy or need to check about advice on flying while pregnant, make sure you seek the advice you need from a midwife.