Looking after yourself and your baby

Medications, alcohol, and smoking during pregnancy

Medications

Not all medicines are safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

This includes medicines that are prescribed, natural supplements, or over the counter from the pharmacy or supermarket.

Make sure you tell your doctor or midwife, and pharmacist, about all the medicines you are taking – especially if you:

• have an existing medical condition
• are taking an over the counter or prescribed medication
• are taking alternative and complementary therapies
• are using illicit drugs - seek urgent advice from a health professional.

More information: Queensland Clinical Guidelines – Using drugs in pregnancy

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy

The safest choice for your baby is to not drink any alcohol.

The risk of damage to your baby increases the more you drink, and binge drinking is especially harmful.

There is no safe amount of alcohol to drink when you’re pregnant.

What if you drank before you knew you were pregnant?

If you drank small amounts of alcohol before you knew you were pregnant, be reassured that the risk of harm to your baby is low.

More information: The National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Alcohol and Pregnancy

Smoking during pregnancy

Stop smoking during pregnancy and you and your baby will immediately feel the benefits.

Toxic chemicals are absorbed into your bloodstream and passed on to your baby through the umbilical cord. If you are unable to stop smoking, cut down as much as you can.

Smoking while pregnant increases your risk of:

• ectopic pregnancy
• miscarriage
• premature labour
• complications during birth.
• sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• low birth weight
• infections and other health problems
• asthma and other breathing difficulties
• behavioural problems.

Smoking while pregnant can increase your baby’s risk of problems after they are born:

For advice and support visit Quit HQ or call Quitline on 13 78 48.

More information: Pregnancy Birth and Baby - Smoking and pregnancy

Helpful hints to stop smoking

When you feel the urge to smoke:

• distract yourself for five to 10 minutes so the craving can pass
• relax and take some deep breaths
• drink a glass of water
• call a friend
• practice your pelvic floor exercises
• change the habits you associate with smoking
• take it a day at a time and reward yourself for success
• visit Quit HQ or call Quitline on 13 78 48.

Support to quit smoking

Quit for You, Quit for Two is a personalised, interactive app for women who are pregnant or planning to conceive. The app is free to download on iPhone, iPad and android phones.

In this guide:

1. Healthy eating during pregnancy
2. How much weight should I gain?
3. Food Safety in pregnancy
4. Exercise during pregnancy
5. Perineal massage
6. Medications, alcohol, and smoking during pregnancy
7. Vaccinations during pregnancy
8. Infections and precautions in pregnancy

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