Your health during pregnancy

Protecting your baby from tobacco smoke is one of the best things you can do to give your child a healthy start in life. Giving up smoking can be hard, but if you're pregnant, now is definitely the time to quit.

It’s hard to imagine when you can’t physically see your baby, but every cigarette you smoke passes through to your baby. As a result, their heart has to beat harder every time you smoke, and it affects their development. Smoking can increase your risk of miscarriage.

There is lots of help and support available and you don’t have to do this alone. Visit our Stop Smoking page or contact your local Stop Smoking Service on 01274 437700.

You shouldn't drink alcohol or take illegal drugs during pregnancy, or if you are planning to become pregnant, because they can damage your growing baby.

You are more likely to have a miscarriage, premature birth or your baby being born with a low birth weight. It can also affect your baby after they're born. 

If you need help to stop drinking or taking drugs, there is support available now just visit our alcohol and drugs pages.

Eating a healthy, nutritious diet is especially important if you're pregnant, or planning a pregnancy. Your baby relies on you to provide the right balance of nutrients to help them grow and develop properly (even after they're born).

You don't need to spend lots of money or go on a special diet – you just need a balance of the right types of food. These include:

• Fruit and vegetables
• Carbohydrates such as bread, potatoes, pasta and cereals
• Proteins such as meat, fish, beans and pulses
• Dairy such as milk, cheese and yoghurt

For more information including what foods to avoid visit NHS start4life

Further support for you

Visit our healthy eating page which has online support and ideas for healthier eating and online apps with healthy recipes.

You may be entitled to a Healthy Start card with help to buy milk, fruit and vegetables, pulses and vitamins. Visit our help with food page which explains the scheme and how to apply.

Having a healthy and varied diet during your pregnancy will ensure that you and your baby get most of the vitamins you need, however it’s important that you also take:

• a folic acid supplement
• a vitamin D supplement

For more information visit the NHS start4life website

Where can I get more advice on vitamin supplements?

• Your GP
• Pharmacy

Some vaccines, such as the seasonal flu vaccine, the whooping cough vaccine and the Covid-19 vaccine are recommended during pregnancy to protect the health of you and your baby. 

However, there are other vaccines that are not recommended or where it’s important to seek advice from your GP or midwife. Please visit the NHS website for more information.

Our Pelvic Health Hub brings together a range of helpful resources from trusted organisations to support your pelvic health during and after pregnancy.

You'll find information on exercising safely, managing pregnancy related aches and pains and looking after your body through birth and recovery.