Top ten pregnancy worries

You know there’s a little person growing inside but how can you be sure he’s all right? We find out the top ten worries all pregnant women share – and get the expert answers to put your mind at rest.

1. ‘I got very drunk at a party before I knew I was pregnant. Will it have harmed my baby?’

‘Almost certainly not,’ says obstetrician Professor James Walker. So don’t beat yourself up about a few too many Bacardi Breezers.

‘The effects of alcohol on the fetus are not fully understood but it would appear that you need to either consume significant amounts of alcohol regularly, or binge-drink repeatedly, to harm your baby,’ says Professor Walker. ‘A one-off event - especially if you are healthy and well-nourished - is unlikely to have any real effect.’

Just stick to no more than the recommended limit of one or two units a week from now on (or abstain completely if you know you’re easily affected or prefer to play it safe), and when you do have a glass, drink it with a meal to reduce alcohol absorption.

‘I didn’t drink anything during my first trimester,’ says Louise, 31, from London, mum to Abi, six months. ‘But three friends got married during the rest of my pregnancy, and I did allow myself a glass or two of champagne at each.’

2. ‘Does bleeding mean I'm having a miscarriage?’

Lots more mums than you’d imagine experience some spotting or bleeding during pregnancy. So don’t panic. ‘It can be due to various things, including hormonal changes in early pregnancy,’ explains Professor Walker. According to Professor Walker, ‘Around one third of women will have some bleeding in pregnancy but the majority won’t lose their baby.’

It’s best to call your midwife or GP and ask for an ultrasound scan, to put your mind at rest. ‘This will assess what is going on,’ says Professor Walker. ‘If the ultrasound shows the baby is fine, the majority (around 90%) of pregnancies will continue successfully.’

‘I had some spotting of blood very early on,’ says Maria, 28, 34 weeks, from St Albans. ‘I called the hospital, and had a scan, and the sight of a tiny pulsing heartbeat was so reassuring.’

P&b health note: If bleeding is accompanied by pain and/or cramping, call your GP or midwife immediately.

3. ‘I exercise three times a week - either at the gym, swimming or doing aerobics. Can this harm my baby and should I stop?’

A fit, healthy mum is just what your baby needs because you’ll have the stamina for labour and the strength to cope with the blissful but busy days after the birth. So, tempting as it may be, don’t cash in your gym membership and slump on the sofa for the next nine months.

‘If you’re used to exercising you shouldn’t need to adjust your routine too much,’ says Gail Johnson, from the Royal College of Midwives. There are just a few things to be aware of. ‘Make sure you take time to warm up and cool down properly,’ continues Gail, ‘as the hormones in pregnancy can make you more susceptible to injury. It’s also important not to get too hot and to drink lots of water to keep hydrated.’

As you get bigger and heavier, take things a little easier – just listen to your body and slow down when you need to. And avoid high impact aerobics and sports such as skiing, riding in which there’s a chance falling.

If you’re not such an exercise bunny, have a quick word with your midwife before taking up exercise. But swimming or aquanatal classes, walking and antenatal yoga are all ideal pregnancy workouts.

4. ‘I've had bad morning sickness and haven't been able to keep much down. Will my baby be starved of nutrients?’

Morning sickness can make you feel grim, so it’s hardly surprising you’ll worry your baby may be suffering too. But thankfully that’s not the case. ‘Your body will put your baby's needs in front of yours, and protect it at all costs,’ explains P&b expert, Dr Catti Moss, a GP from Northampton.

‘Try to keep as much fluid down as possible,’ continues Catti, ‘as this is what is really important. The food is easier for you body to steal from your reserves.’

Thirty-year-old Sally from Norfolk was very sick until the end of the first trimester, then still felt nauseous and couldn’t face eating much until after her baby Jessie (now one) was born. ‘I thought she’d be tiny, but she was a healthy 8lb 1oz. I couldn’t believe it!’

Just keep an eye on how bad your morning sickness is. ‘If you are feeling really ill or losing lots of weight, see your GP,’ advises Catti. If you’re having trouble keeping fluids down, you should also watch for signs of dehydration, which include, dark, strong smelling urine, headaches and dry mouth, eyes and skin.

5. ‘I have lots more discharge than before I got pregnant. It's not very thick and doesn't smell, but is it normal or could there be something wrong?’

Most women have an increased discharge when they’re expecting and it doesn’t mean you’re suffering from an infection that could affect your baby. ‘Certainly, this sounds like part of the normal hormonal changes experienced in pregnancy,’ says midwife Gail Johnson. ‘As long as you don’t have any discomfort and the discharge doesn’t smell it sounds fine.’

To stave off the possibility of an infection, Gail also advises wearing light cotton underwear and taking frequent showers.

6. ‘I'm 20 weeks pregnant and getting sharp pains under my bump on each side. Is this something I should worry about?’

Any sharp pain like this makes mums fear the worst. But, says, Catti, ‘Most people get these pains at around this time in pregnancy - especially with their first baby.’ And, thankfully, it’s perfectly normal.

‘The pains are caused by the ligaments to the side of your womb stretching,’ explains Catti. ‘If you’re worried, just have a word with your midwife, who will be able to reassure you.’

‘For me, the pains were so intense, they stopped me in my tracks,’ says Jo, 25, from Halifax, mum to Jaden, four months. ‘I went straight to the doctor’s surgery, but luckily it was perfectly normal.’

7. ‘I've just discovered I'm pregnant, but I'm booked to fly on holiday when I'm 22 weeks. Can flying harm my baby and should I cancel?’

Many airlines – including British Airways - will let you fly up to the end of the 27th week, as long as you have had no complications. After that you can fly up to the end of your 36th week, as long as you have a doctor’s letter or certificate (and remember it’s how pregnant you are on the return flight that matters).

But, as Gail points out, ‘some airlines have tougher restrictions so always double-check.’ It’s also a good idea to mention it to your midwife too, in case there is a medical reason you shouldn’t travel.

As flying – especially long-haul – involves a lot of time of time stuck in your seat, swelling around the ankles is a problem and your risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is increased.

‘It’s important to keep your legs and feet moving,’ says Gail, ‘and you should also drink plenty of fluids because cabin air is very dehydrating.’

But there’s no doubt mid-pregnancy is a good time to go on holiday – you’re in that blooming stage when morning sickness has passed but you’re not yet feeling heavy and uncomfortable. So check with your airline and midwife.

Then enjoy! ‘Dan and I had a wonderful holiday in Italy when I was 20 weeks pregnant,’ says Hazel, 30. ‘It was really romantic – our last holiday as a couple, rather than a family.’
 
8. ‘My best friend's daughter has chicken pox. Should I keep away?’

The risks of catching chicken pox are very small, but if you suspect you may have caught it your GP can arrange a blood test and a course of anti-viral medication that will limit any potential ill effects for your baby and you.

‘If you’ve definitely had chicken pox yourself, there’s no risk. Most adults are protected against chicken pox because of previous exposure,’ says Professor Walker. If you haven’t had it previously, the risk to your baby would depend on what stage of pregnancy you’re at.

‘If you caught chicken pox before 20 weeks, there would be just a 2% chance of your baby being affected in some way,’ says Professor Walker. ‘If the infection was around full-term, then things could be more serious.

But between 20 weeks and the end of your pregnancy there is no risk at all.’

9. ‘I haven't felt my baby move for a while - is everything ok?’

Chances are everything’s absolutely fine – your baby has periods of activity and periods of rest, just like all of us. As Professor Walker says, ‘Although this can be a sign for concern, in most cases there is nothing to worry about.’

It’s also true that different mums feel different amounts of movement. ‘If there is more fluid around the baby, movements feel less,’ says Professor Walker. ‘Also if the mother is busy, say with another child, again she may not notice.’

On average, once you start to feel regular movement from around 20 weeks, you should feel at least 10 movements in a 12-hour period – all babies are different though, and you’ll get to know your baby’s pattern during waking hours.

‘If you are concerned,’ advises Professor Walker, ‘lie down with you hands on your tummy for a while and try to feel the baby move. Often this can reassure you.’
Carrie, 29, from Cardiff, mum to Cia, three months, found her baby kicked when she was in the bath. ‘Getting in the tub did the trick every time,’ she says. ‘I’d suddenly see feet and elbows poking out everywhere.’

If you are still concerned, don’t worry in silence. ‘Phone your midwife or hospital,’ says Professor Walker. ‘They may recommend you come for an assessment when they can listen to the baby’s heartbeat for you and let you hear it yourself.’ Once you hear that rapid pitter-patter, you’ll feel much better.

During the last few weeks of your pregnancy, the movements are likely to slow down as there’s less room for your baby to move around in. 

10. ‘I'm 36 weeks pregnant and my belly keeps tightening, though it doesn't hurt at all. Am I going into early labour?’

No! So relax and enjoy your last few weeks of pregnancy. According to midwife Gail Johnson, ‘This sounds like normal Braxton Hicks contractions, the practice contractions that help to prepare your body for labour. They are nothing to worry about and do not indicate early labour.’

What’s happening is that the lower part of your womb is stretching so your baby’s head can move downwards and settle in your pelvis – what’s described as being ‘engaged’.

‘My bump would suddenly tighten and go as hard as a rock,’ says Kate, 28, from Wiltshire, mum to Daisy, six months. ‘But when I finally went into labour with Daisy, the feeling was quite different – definitely more painful!’

P&b reader panel: Reader panellist Maria says: ‘I conceived on holiday where I’d been drinking every day. I was really worried about it but asked my midwife, who told me the baby would be fine.’