But several pregnancy myths still abound. For example, some women may think they have to stop any sports or exercise and that they shouldn’t take any form of medication.
Women on long-term medications who want to conceive are advised to discuss with their doctor beforehand whether they are safe to take in pregnancy, says the report, called Saving Babies’ Lives. In some cases, women may be able to switch to a less risky drug.
For instance, painkillers such as ibuprofen are not usually recommended in pregnancy, although a short course may be prescribed for some illnesses. Paracetamol is generally seen as safe, if used just for as long as needed.
Vitamin D
Taking a vitamin called folic acid is recommended for the first three months of pregnancy and ideally for three months before conception too.
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Vitamin D is also made by skin exposed to sunlight. So it is good for pregnant women to make the most of any sunshine, as long as they do not get burned said Heazell.
Women at higher risk – for instance, those with diabetes or who are having their first baby aged 40 or over – may be prescribed a daily low-dose aspirin tablet to thin the blood. “Pre-eclampsia is a major cause of death. And to a great extent it can be predicted,” said Professor Kypros Nicolaides, an obstetrician at King’s College London. “Aspirin is cheap and safe.”
Side sleeping
In the last three months of pregnancy, women should try to avoid sleeping on their back, because this is linked with twice the risk of stillbirth, several studies have found. “There’s a logical anatomical reason,” said Heazell, who was involved in the research. “It reduces the amount of blood going to the baby.”
Regular check-ups can identify problems in good time (Photo: Janie Airey/Getty Images/Image Source)
Women who attend all their antenatal appointments are more likely to stay well through their pregnancy and birth, says the NHS report. The first visit, the booking appointment, at around 10 weeks, is crucial, as this is where midwives can check if the woman has any special risks, said Marsh.
Cytomegalovirus
Some viruses and bacteria pose particular risk in pregnancy. One is a virus called CMV or cytomegalovirus. Most people catch it in childhood and have no symptoms. But if a woman gets infected for the first time when she is pregnant, it can pass to the baby and cause blindness or brain damage.
Good handwashing is important in pregnancy (Photo: Mykola Sosiukin/Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Germs are all around us and it is impossible to completely avoid them. But pregnant women are advised to, where possible, avoid those with signs of infectious illness, such as diarrhoea, vomiting, fever or a rash. If a mum-to-be catches the infection, it could cause a stillbirth.
Vaccines
Pregnant women are offered vaccines against flu, covid, whooping cough and RSV, a virus that can be serious in young babies.
Women may feel cautious about sports and exercise in pregnancy, but they are advised to stay physically active if possible to help maintain a healthy weight.
Focus on teeth
Tooth care becomes more important in pregnancy as hormone changes leave women more prone to gum disease. Check-ups are free on the NHS for women who are pregnant and for up to a year after birth.
The Saving Babies’ Lives report was written by doctors in the Government’s Office for Health Inequalities and Disparities, along with Sands, a charity for preventing stillbirths and baby deaths.
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