Getting Pregnant

Wear anything you like as long as it does not feel tight around your waist, crotch or the top of your legs. The idea of discarding high heels may make you groan but you will be more comfortable (and less likely to stumble or fall over) in heels no higher than 5cm. If your feet tend to swell, shoes need to be roomy enough not to cut into your feet – but if they are too loose, you might slip.

Unless your job involves heavy physical work or occupational hazards that may affect your baby, there is no reason why you cannot work well into your pregnancy. If you have any doubts, talk to your doctor or healthcare professional.

If your job involves standing for long periods of time, make sure you take the chance to sit down during breaks (if it is possible to put your feet up on another chair, so much the better). Standing for long periods may increase your chance of getting varicose veins during the pregnancy.

If you sit at a desk or computer terminal most of the day, take 15 minutes every hour to get up and walk around. Be aware of your sitting posture—use a chair that gives you good back support and sit with your back straight. Keep your chest up—do not slump.

You should not do any heavy lifting while you are pregnant. You should also avoid climbing ladders and excessive bending during late pregnancy when changes in the centre of balance make these tasks difficult.

You cannot work, be pregnant and rush home to cook gourmet meals and clean the house too. Try to spend as much time as you can after work resting with your feet up. The simplest meals (a big salad, bread, lean meat, poultry or fish) are often the healthiest. Do as little housework as possible (the health of you and your baby is more important than a spotless kitchen). This is a time when your partner will have to do a larger share of the housework.

Do not wait until the baby is born to plan your childcare arrangements. Good childcare can be hard to find – put yourself onto the waiting list as soon as you know you are pregnant.

If you were active before pregnancy, it is a good idea to stay that way during pregnancy too. By keeping fit, you will cope better when the baby is born. But remember that the aim of exercise in pregnancy is to maintain fitness, not improve athletic performance.

If you have not been physically active before pregnancy, now is the time to begin a gentle exercise program suitable for pregnancy.

If you normally play sport, ask your doctor or healthcare professional if you can continue during pregnancy. Some activities are safe, as long as you take things easy, stop when you feel tired and do not overheat.

If you go to exercise classes, check with your doctor or healthcare professional that it is okay to continue. Remember to tell your instructor that you are pregnant. You will need to slow down your pace.

Alternatively, you could look for a class that caters for pregnant women.

It is important to avoid becoming too hot, especially in the first three months of pregnancy, or if you are planning a pregnancy. If you do, your body’s core temperature can rise and this may harm the baby.

Playing a sport, running or doing a vigorous exercise class on a hot day can be enough to raise your core temperature. Staying as cool as possible, not exercising too strenuously and drinking fluids during and after exercise will help to keep your core temperature down.

Women with certain medical conditions who are likely to have complications during pregnancy or who are having twins should avoid exercises. Check with your doctor or healthcare professional.

If you are not immune to rubella, it is important to keep away from anyone who has it. Also stay away from anyone who has other infections, such as colds or flu. If you catch an infection, remember not to take any medication unless your doctor prescribes it. Self-medication in pregnancy may have serious consequences for your baby.

If you did not have a dental check before falling pregnant, it is wise to have one now to make sure teeth and gums are in good condition. Gums are more vulnerable to infection when you are pregnant. Make sure you tell your dentist you are pregnant.

It is better not to have baths or showers that are too hot or stay in too long in case you become overheated and dizzy. Towards the end of the pregnancy, you may find it hard to get into and out of the bath by yourself.

By car
It is important that you continue to wear a car seatbelt when you are pregnant. Worn properly, a seatbelt can protect both you and your baby if there is an accident. Wear the lap seatbelt as tightly as possible without making you uncomfortable. Fasten the belt buckle over the hips, with the lap section as low as possible, under the bulge of your abdomen. This will help prevent harm to your baby in an accident.

By air
Airlines’ rules about flying during pregnancy can vary—contact individual airlines for information. If you are having problems with your pregnancy, talk to your doctor or healthcare professional first about any plans to travel. Generally, air travel is perfectly safe for pregnant women.

Your breasts may need extra support in pregnancy. They increase in size in early pregnancy and, without support, they tend to sag and feel uncomfortable. Wearing a maternity bra will provide support during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Your breasts will also be more likely to return to their original shape after the birth.

You will probably need a maternity bra by about the third month of pregnancy. Make sure it feels comfortable, has good support (including extra under-arm support), wider shoulder straps and a wider strap at the back. Extra rows of fastenings allow room for your breasts to grow. A front-fastening bra is usually easier to manage when you start breastfeeding.

If your breasts leak drops of colostrums (the first milk produced by your breasts, usually a creamy yellow) during pregnancy, you can buy nursing pads from a pharmacy. You can also make little pads of towelling or other absorbent material and put them inside the bra cups. These are handy on when you are breastfeeding.

Preparing nipples
Nipples are designed for breastfeeding, so if yours are an average shape and size, they probably would not need any preparation. Treat nipples gently – carefully wash off any dried colostrum and pat them dry (no brisk rubbing). Do not use soap on the nipples—it can dry them out. There is no need to put oil or cream on your nipples—they have their own built-in lubricant. Adding anything else may clog the oil producing glands.

A flat or inverted nipple is one that does not protrude when it is stimulated. This can make it hard for the baby to suck. If you have a nipple like this, tell your doctor, healthcare professional or antenatal clinic staff so that they can organise extra help with your breastfeeding.