Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Pregnant woman

Self-care and eating well before, during and after pregnancy are important. Here you will find information on:

  • what to eat when you are planning a pregnancy and when pregnant
  • advice on iodine and folate supplements
  • safe drinking advice
  • how to plan to breastfeed your newborn baby.

Eating well and being food safe

Eating well and taking care with food safety when pregnant, helps keep you and your baby healthy. Some nutrients (like iron, iodine and folate) are more important during this time.

Iodine and folate supplement advice for pregnancy:

Eating well and self-care after having a baby is also important, particularly if you are breastfeeding.

For information about pregnancy during extreme heat go to extreme heat website

Alcohol and smoking advice

The safest option is not to drink alcohol or smoke during pregnancy or when breastfeeding. For information:

How to plan to breastfeed

Breastfeeding is the natural way to feed your baby. Getting the help and support you need to breastfeed before and after your baby is born is important.

Find out more about breastfeeding and why it’s good watch this video Breastfeeding: why it’s good ( 4 mins)

For information about what to expect and to help you plan to breastfeed your newborn:

It is important to eat well while breastfeeding.

Returning to work and breastfeeding.

Physical activity and pregnancy

Exercise and physical activity advice booklet

This booklet contains general information and advice for pregnant women about physical activity and exercise and ways to reduce inactivity.

For health and community services staff 

For healthy eating and physical activity advice see:

For more information:

Link to the Health Kids home pageLink to pregnancy pageLink to Baby pageLink to Early Childhood pageLink to school aged pageLink to Young People's pageBlogs and Videos