taking care of your health
Talk to a health professional about your alcohol or drug use as early as possible in your pregnancy. Obtaining information, advice and referral to services in early pregnancy can help you have a healthy and less stressful pregnancy. Even if your pregnancy is well advanced, you and your baby will still benefit from obtaining information and advice.
Drug and alcohol use can affect your appetite and lead to a poor diet. Healthy eating is good for you and your pregnancy. Ask to see a dietitian for advice and information. You may need to take dietary supplements during your pregnancy and after the birth of your baby. Get advice from your dietitian, doctor or midwife before starting supplements.
Smoking tobacco and other substances is harmful to your pregnancy and should be avoided. Reduced oxygen and nutrition to your baby via the placenta (afterbirth) may occur. This may result in reduced growth of your baby during pregnancy and low birth weight. Smoking is associated with an increased risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and the development of asthma and breathing conditions in children. For these reasons, most health professionals will recommend you at least reduce, and preferably cease, smoking in pregnancy.
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