For urgent help
If you are worried about your health or the health of your baby do not delay contacting the Maternity Assessment Centre at the hospital you are booked at:
Leeds General Infirmary MAC – 0113 392 6731
St James’s Hospital MAC – 0113 206 5781
Vaccinations
The seasonal flu vaccine, whooping cough vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine are recommended during pregnancy to protect the health of you and your baby.
You can get vaccinated against whooping cough from 20 weeks of pregnancy.
For further information, speak with your midwife or GP or see vaccinations in pregnancy.
Food and diet
When you are pregnant you might find that you are more hungry than usual, but you do not need to “eat for two”.
The most important thing is to eat a variety of different foods every day to get the right balance of nutrients that you and your baby need.
Food you should not eat
Most food and drink is safe during pregnancy but there are some things you should be careful with or avoid. Please check the list linked below:
Foods that you should not eat in pregnancy.
Useful links
- Food and activity for a healthy pregnancy leaflet
- A healthy diet in pregnancy (NHS)
- How to eat well in pregnancy
- The Eatwell Guide
- Help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start vouchers)
Alcohol
There is no safe level of alcohol that you can drink when you are pregnant.
When you drink, alcohol passes from your blood through the placenta to your baby. This increases your risk of miscarriage, premature birth and your baby having a low birthweight. Alcohol can also cause Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and your baby may be born with a disability.
Please speak to your midwife or GP about any concerns you have about drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
For more information please visit the Forward Leeds or No Thanks, I’m Pregnant websites.
Vitamins
You should take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day – ideally from 3 months before you’re pregnant until you’re 12 weeks pregnant. For some people it is recommended to take a higher prescribed dose of folic acid. Your midwife or GP will explain which dose you need to take.
It is also recommended that you take a daily vitamin D supplement throughout pregnancy and if you choose to breastfeed.
Your midwife will explain if you are eligible for free vitamins through the Healthy Start scheme.
Please see vitamins, minerals and supplements in pregnancy for more information.
Mental health
Whether your pregnancy was planned or unplanned, it’s natural to have mixed emotions about it. You may feel from excited to worried, or happy to sad and back again. Pregnancy hormones can contribute to giving you this mix of emotional highs and lows, especially in the first three months.
There is support available so please talk to your midwife about how you are feeling.
You can also take a look at our taking care of your emotional wellbeing leaflet which has details of support services or visit mental health and pregnancy for more information.
Smoking
Stopping smoking is the most important thing you can do to improve you and your developing baby’s health.
Cigarettes restrict the essential oxygen supply to your baby, so their heart has to beat harder every time you smoke.
Smoking also increases your risk of miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, complications in labour and sudden infant death syndrome.
Your midwife will talk to you about stopping smoking and they can refer you to our Stop Smoking Service for extra support.
For more information please see: Stop smoking in pregnancy or read more about our hospital Stop Smoking Service.
“I am now very happy and smoke free. It makes me feel a lot safer as I know I’m not causing harm to my baby girl or myself. It is great to see the CO blow machine flashing green with a low number rather than red like in the beginning.”
Feedback from a maternity patient who used the Stop Smoking Service
Dental health
NHS dental care is free during pregnancy and for the first year after the birth of your baby.
It is important to look after your dental health in pregnancy as hormonal changes can make some people more at risk of developing gum problems.
For more information please see the bleeding gums in pregnancy leaflet.
Keeping active
Being physically active in pregnancy is safe and healthy for you and your baby. The more active and fit you are during pregnancy, the easier it will be for you to adapt to your changing shape and you may be less likely to experience problems in later pregnancy and labour.
Keeping up normal daily physical activity or exercise for as long as you feel comfortable is considered safe. If you are new to being active, start gently and build up slowly. You may want to consider avoiding contact sports during pregnancy to prevent falls and bumps. Here is more information on being active in pregnancy:
Throughout pregnancy aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity every week.
The Active Pregnancy Foundation have worked with fitness experts to create guides on how to exercise safely in pregnancy: Find Your Active. There are also free exercise videos including pregnancy yoga here: Active At Home
See exercise in pregnancy and physical activity and pregnancy for more information or watch the video below:
Benefits and support in the community
Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start) – find out if you are eligible for free Healthy Start vouchers and apply online
Emergency food – find food aid providers across Leeds
Together Leeds – help with the cost of living including heating, water and money.
Linking Leeds – If practical or emotional problems are stopping you feeling your best, Linking Leeds can help you get them sorted.
Community hubs – staff can help you with money-saving tips and budgeting, claiming benefits you could be eligible for, using the free computers and getting online.