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Parvovirus B19 (slapped cheek syndrome)

Parvovirus B19 (slapped cheek syndrome)

Parvovirus is very infectious and usually affects children. The main symptom is a red blotchy rash on the face. It can also be accompanied by mild fever, headache and sore throat. If you contract parvovirus in pregnancy it can be harmful to your baby. Please speak to your GP or midwife if you think you may have been in contact with parvovirus.
Parvovirus information
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Chickenpox

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella zoster virus. Chickenpox is highly infectious and can be dangerous to your baby. If you had chickenpox as a child, it is likely that you are immune; you do not need to worry. If you are unsure whether you have had chickenpox before, you may be offered a blood test to confirm your immunity. If you think you may have come into contact with someone with chickenpox and you know that you are not immune, please phone your GP or midwife for advice. Do not attend the maternity unit for advice unless advised to by your midwife/doctor.
Contact my maternity unit
Chickenpox advice Further guidance
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Oral health and eye care in pregnancy

Oral health and eye care in pregnancy

Oral health in pregnancy

During pregnancy and after birth it’s important to have regular dental check-ups. NHS dental care is free for pregnant women and for one year after the birth or the expected first birthday of your baby. It is recommended that all pregnant women see their dentist during pregnancy. It is especially important to see your dentist if you have persistent sore or bleeding gums. Hormonal changes in pregnancy may cause bleeding gums. It is important to keep a good level of dental hygiene to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. It is recommended that you brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste containing at least 1350 ppm fluoride (this is safe to use in pregnancy). Try to limit the amount of sugary food and drink you eat and then keep them for mealtimes rather than as snacks. Remember to wait to brush your teeth after eating for at least 1 hour. This will prevent further dental erosion.

Eye care in pregnancy

During pregnancy you may experience slight changes in your vision and/or dry eyes. Eye tests are recommended every two years. Eye tests are free if you are on social benefits. Contact your local optician to book an appointment. Your GP can provide you with a signed form for a maternity exemption certificate. This will entitle you to free NHS prescriptions up to one year after the birth of your baby, and free NHS dental care.
Maternity exemption certificates How to care for your teeth and gums during pregnancy
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Pelvic floor exercises

Pelvic floor exercises

Pelvic floor exercises help strengthen the muscles of the pelvis, which are under additional strain during pregnancy and childbirth. Adopting these exercises regularly will reduce the likelihood of you experiencing pregnancy and postnatal related incontinence and help your body to recover after birth. It can also reduce the risk of urinary and faecal incontinence in the future, as well as reducing any symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse. You should start the exercises as soon as you are pregnant and continue them during your pregnancy and continue the exercises during the postnatal period.

How to do your pelvic floor exercises

Lay or sit down comfortably and begin by imagining you are trying to stop yourself from passing wind/urine by squeezing the muscles around the back passage continuing the contraction towards the vagina. Don’t do this whilst on the toilet, and don’t hold your urine as this can lead to problems with bladder function. You should work ths muscles in two ways:
  • Hold the squeeze for a few seconds and then relax. Repeat this up to 10 times, gradually holding the squeeze for longer (up to 10 secs).
  • Squeeze and release straight away. Repeat this 10 times.
If you are experiencing any problems with control of your urine, wind, bowel movements or having any symptoms of vaginal heaviness, you should discuss this with your midwife, and they may recommend a referral to a women’s health physiotherapist. Use the NHS recommended Squeezy app to support you to keep up with regular pelvic floor exercises through pregnancy and beyond.
How to do pelvic floor exercises Download the Squeezy app
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Exercise in pregnancy

Exercise in pregnancy

Exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and is known to be safe in pregnancy. Pregnancy is not the time to start a challenging new fitness regime, but it is good to maintain your pre-pregnancy level of activity with some adjustments if needed, or to try something gentle like walking, swimming or pregnancy yoga. Some women feel exercise helps them adjust to the physical changes taking place in their body, promoting a sense of wellbeing and reducing feelings of stress, anxiety and depression. Exercise may help prevent some pregnancy complications and can help with swollen ankles/feet:
  • Avoid exercise where you could lose your balance and hurt yourself.
  • Ensure you drink plenty of water during exercise.
  • Remember that hormonal changes preparing you for birth can make you more flexible. If you have pain in your back or pelvis during exercise, you should speak with your midwive about a referral to a woman’s health physiotherapist.
  • It is important to warm up and cool down when exercising to avoid strain or injury.
  • If you are taking a class, remember to inform the trainer you are pregnant.
  • You should avoid exercise that causes significant increases to your body temperature such as hot yoga, a Jacuzzi or intense exercise when it is hot.
  • It is recommended that you exercise to an intensity where your heart rate and breathing rate increases slightly but you can still talk in sentences and do not become excessively out of breath.
  • 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise is recommended a week during pregnancy.
  • If you have any factors in your pregnancy that make your pregnancy higher risk, you should consult your midwife or obstetrician before exercising during pregnancy.
  • If your body is conditioned to weight lifting or high impact exercise preior to pregnancy it may be ok to continue with modifications, however you should consult your midwife or women’s health physiotherapists to guide individual advice.
If you experience anything unusual, you should stop exercising, and contact your midwife or doctor.
Pelvic floor exercises
Exercise during pregnancy Physical activity chart
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Sex in pregnancy

Sex in pregnancy

It is safe to have sex in pregnancy, unless your care provider has advised against it. Some couples find sex enjoyable during pregnancy, whereas some find their sex drive changes and they don’t feel like they want to have sex as often or at all. If you don’t feel like having sex, think about other ways you could feel intimate and close with your partner. Talk about your feelings with your partner and make adjustments if you need them. Your breasts may be sore and tender, and as your bump grows certain positions become more difficult. Having sex cannot harm your baby, and he or she will not be aware of what is happening.
Sex in pregnancy Further resources about sex in pregnancy
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Medications

Medications

Open pill bottle spilling contents onto tabletop If you are taking medications for any long term conditions, do not stop taking them or change the dose without talking to your GP first. If you’re not sure about the safety of certain medications, talk to your GP or local pharmacist. If you want to breastfeed, discuss any medications you take with your doctor before you give birth – to see if they are safe for breastfeeding, and if not, what alternatives you might be able to take. Your GP can provide you with a signed form for a maternity exemption certificate. This will entitle you to free NHS prescriptions up to one year after the birth of your baby.
Commonly used medicines during pregnancy
Portal: Medications related links
Information about medications in pregnancy Maternity Exemption Certificates
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Recreational/illegal drug use

Recreational/illegal drug use

Use of illegal or street drugs when pregnant can seriously harm you and your baby. If you (or someone close to you) are using drugs, it’s important to seek help straight away. You can talk to your midwife, GP or any of the specialist treatment services that are available. For 24 hour immediate help and support contact this advice line: FRANK: Tel: 0300 123 600 Text: 82111
Illegal use of drugs in pregnancy Drug advice line
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Smoking

Smoking

Smoking and inhaling passive smoke is extremely harmful for you and your unborn baby. A single cigarette contains as much as 4,000 chemicals which travels to your unborn baby via your bloodstream. Even smoking as little as one a day can increase risk of complications in pregnancy and birth. Quitting smoking as soon as possible while you are pregnant can protect against:
  • low birth weight
  • pre-term birth
  • miscarriage
  • stillbirth
  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)/Cot Death
  • birth anomalies

Support

You are much more likely to quit with the help of a trained stop smoking advisor. Pregnancy is an ideal time to quit smoking for good. Your midwife or GP can refer you to local smoking cessation services or you can self-refer via the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0300 123 1044. The type of stop smoking support you receive will depend on where you live and your personal preferences. Stop smoking services usually offer:
  • Weekly support either face-to-face, over the phone or online
  • Free medication or medication on prescription to help you stop smoking
Most nicotine replacement therapies are safe to use in pregnancy. Your stop smoking advisor should be able to support you in finding the right method to help you quit smoking whilst pregnant.

E-cigarettes

Although not risk free, e-cigarettes carry a small fraction of the risk of smoking. If using an e-cigarette or ‘vaping’ helps you stay smoke free, it is far safer for you and your baby than continuing to smoke. If you want to use an e-cigarette, you can still get free expert help from a specialist stop smoking advisor.

Carbon monoxide screening

Carbon monoxide testing is offered to all women at booking and again at 36 weeks of pregnancy. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that goes into your lungs when you smoke or inhale the passive smoke of someone else’s cigarette. It can also be found if there is a faulty boiler, cooker or car exhaust. Regular checks of household gas appliances are advised. Free Health and Safety gas advice is available on 0800 300 363 (Monday to Friday). Read the links below for more information about smoking and carbon monoxide.
Portal: Smoking in pregnancy
Smoking in pregnancy Smoking and pregnancy Stop smoking in pregnancy Test your breath Smoking in pregnancy harms
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Alcohol

Alcohol

The point at which alcohol consumption becomes dangerous to an unborn baby is unknown. The safest way to protect against the effects of alcohol is to avoid it completely. Babies born to mothers who drink alcohol excessively when pregnant can be affected by a range of disorders known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Talk to your midwife or GP if you have concerns about alcohol in pregnancy.
Drinking alcohol when pregnant Fetal alcohol syndrome Alcohol and pregnancy