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Pregnancy and cravings


Top 10 FAQs | Pregnancy

Being pregnant raises lots of questions – especially for first time mums. You may be wondering what the early signs of pregnancy are, which vitamins you need to take, or if you'll have any cravings. These questions are perfectly normal – especially when your body is going through so many changes. Hopefully, our top 10 pregnancy FAQs below will answer some of your questions!

1. Am I pregnant?

The earliest and most reliable sign of pregnancy is a missed period. If you have a regular monthly cycle, normally you get your period about 4 weeks from the start of your last period.

Take a home pregnancy test

To find out if you're pregnant, you can do a pregnancy test from the first day you miss your period. Home pregnancy tests are very reliable, but see your GP to be sure and also to start your antenatal care.

Early signs and symptoms

Many women still feel fine at 4 weeks, but others may notice sore breasts, fatigue, frequent urination, and nausea (feeling sick).

Sometimes pregnant women have some very light bleeding, called "spotting", at the time when their period would be due. This is also known as implantation bleeding, which is when the foetus plants itself into the wall of your womb. Spotting is completely normal and does not need any medical treatment.

You may be sick or feel sick – this is commonly known as morning sickness, but it can happen at any time of day. If you feel nauseous and can't keep anything down, contact your GP. You may also notice changes in your breasts. They may become larger and feel tender, like they might do before your period. The veins may show up more and the nipples may darken and stand out.

Every woman is different and not all women will notice all these symptoms. If you're eagerly looking out for any hints that you might be pregnant, other early signs of pregnancy include:

  • needing to pee more often – you may find you have to get up in the night
  • being constipated
  • increased vaginal discharge without any soreness or irritation
  • feeling tired
  • having a strange taste in your mouth – many women describe it as metallic
  • "going off" some things, such as tea, coffee, tobacco smoke or fatty food

2.

When do pregnancy cravings start?

There isn't a specific time when pregnancy food cravings start. It's different for every woman – and you may not necessarily have any cravings.

If you do start having cravings, it'll probably be in your first trimester (it could be as early as 5 weeks into pregnancy). They'll get stronger in your second trimester, and then eventually stop in your third trimester.

Cravings come in all shapes and sizes. Some women crave fatty foods like chips. Others get pregnancy cravings for things they didn't like before they got pregnant, or strange combinations of food such as mars bars with bacon.

Try to eat as healthily as possible – keep those unhealthy temptations to a minimum!

If you find yourself craving things that aren't food, like toothpaste, coal or even soil, speak to your midwife or doctor, as this may be a sign of a vitamin deficiency.

3. How much weight should I gain in pregnancy?

Weight gain in pregnancy varies from person to person. It also depends on your weight before you become pregnant.

Most pregnant women gain between 10kg and 12.5kg (22lb to 26lb), putting on most of the weight after week 20. Much of the extra weight is due to your baby growing, but your body will also be storing fat, ready to make breast milk after your baby is born.

Putting on too much or too little weight while you're pregnant can lead to health problems for you or your unborn baby. But don't worry, it's easy to make healthy food choices. Find out what to eat when pregnant and what foods to avoid.

4. What prenatal vitamins should I take?

You'll get most of the vitamins and minerals you need by eating a healthy, varied diet. But when you're pregnant (and while you are trying to get pregnant) you also need to take a folic acid supplement.

To keep bones and muscles healthy, we need vitamin D. From late March/early April to the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin. However, between October and early March we should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement because we cannot make it from sunlight.

Just 10 micrograms a day is all you need – it's the same for kids and grown-ups. Some people should take a vitamin D supplement all year round, find out if this applies to you on the NHS website.

Along with the vitamins you should take, there are also some to watch out for and avoid. You should avoid supplements and multivitamins containing vitamin A (retinol) – as too much of it can harm your baby's development. You should also avoid liver and liver products (including fish liver oil), as they are high in vitamin A.

Find out more about vitamins and supplements in pregnancy.

5. How do I stay fit in pregnancy?

Keeping active and doing exercise while you're pregnant is great for you and your baby. You can keep up your normal level of daily activity and exercise regime, as long as it still feels comfortable.

Tips for exercising

  • You should be able to hold a conversation while you exercise.
  • Always warm up and cool down to keep you from pulling any muscles.
  • Stay hydrated - drink lots of water.
  • You can find online workouts that are safe during pregnancy, check out Sport England's #StayInWorkOut exercises (scroll to the pregnancy section).
  • Other good activities to try while pregnant include walking, yoga, pilates, aerobics and pelvic floor exercises.
  • Some exercises, like running and weight training, will need to be modified as your belly grows.
  • The best combination of exercise is aerobic and muscle-strengthening, as this helps you breathe properly and allows to deal with the increased weight you'll be carrying around.
  • If you're not already active, try building it into your daily life by taking the stairs, doing housework or gardening.

For a few pregnancy exercises, read about exercises for a fitter pregnancy.

What to avoid

  • Try not to lie on your back for long periods, as your bump will press on a big blood vessel that brings blood back to your heart, which can make you feel faint.
  • Avoid anything that risks you falling, for example: horse riding, skiing and gymnastics.
  • Contact sports are not a good idea either – things like squash, tennis, martial arts, football and rugby. where there's a risk of your bump being hit.

6. How should I sleep in pregnancy?

Depending on how you normally like to snooze, you might have to rethink your favourite position while you're pregnant.

If you sleep on your back, it's safe to continue during the first trimester, but as your bump gets bigger and heavier you'll need to sleep on your side, so it's best to get into the habit as soon as you can.

By the third trimester (after 28 weeks of pregnancy), sleeping on your side is the safest position for your baby as it helps prevent the risk of stillbirth. Don't worry, if your pregnancy is uncomplicated your risk of stillbirth is low (1 in 200 babies are stillborn) and going to sleep on your side will make it even lower.

It's ok if you end up in all sorts of positions when you are asleep. The important thing to remember is to fall asleep on your side, as this means you are sleeping safely for your baby. If you wake up on your back, don't be alarmed, just turn onto your side and go back to sleep.

Try sleeping on one side with your knees bent, it'll help reduce the amount of pressure on your uterus and help you breathe better. Plus, this position can help relieve backache. You can use pillows under your belly, between your legs, and behind your back if you like.

You should go to sleep on your side whenever you have a snooze, including:

  • going to sleep at night
  • getting back to sleep, after waking up at night
  • daytime naps

7. What happens in an antenatal class?

Antenatal classes are available to give you and your partner lots of helpful information on labour, birth and early parenthood.

They're usually informal, fun and sociable, which makes them a great place to meet other parents-to-be. The friends you make at antenatal classes can become a great support network. You can now find many antenatal courses and workshops online.

Antenatal classes usually start 8 to 10 weeks before your baby is born, and happen once a week for about 2 hours.

You can choose classes that are just for pregnant women, or classes that welcome a partner or a friend. There are sometimes classes especially designed for single mothers or teenagers.

Antenatal classes may include info on:

  • diet: how to stay healthy and have a good diet while you're pregnant
  • exercise: what types of exercise are good for keeping fit in pregnancy
  • labour: what to expect
  • relaxation: how to relax while you're pregnant and after you've had your baby
  • delivery methods: different birth methods and interventions
  • after the birth: how to look after your newborn, and how you can stay healthy
  • emotional wellbeing: how you might feel during and after your pregnancy

Find an antenatal class near you through the NCT or Our Place online courses.

8. What are the different types of breast pump?

There are 2 different types of breast pump: electric and manual. They're both designed to mimic the sucking action your baby makes when they're breastfeeding.

Manual breast pumps

When you use a manual pump, you squeeze the plunger by hand. This type of pump takes a bit longer to use than an electric pump but is:

  • cheaper than an electric pump
  • simple to use
  • lightweight
  • quiet

Electric breast pumps

An electric pump does the hard work for you. This type of pump is quicker than using a manual pump, but can be noisy and more expensive.

Mums often say that a manual breast pump is better if you're only expressing occasionally, while an electric pump is more efficient if you need to express milk quickly and often, for example if you've gone back to work.

9. How do I prepare for breastfeeding?

It's a good idea to read as much as you can about breastfeeding before the birth. This will help you feel more confident and prepared. There is lots of useful information and practical tips in our feeding your baby section. Read about breastfeeding positions, how to express your breast milk, and practical tips on dealing with common breastfeeding issues. If you have any breastfeeding questions, you can always ask the Breastfeeding Friend voice assistant from Start for Life, available on Amazon Alexa, Facebook Messenger and Google Home, 24/7.

10. Which type of baby bottle should I buy?

If you're giving your baby expressed or formula milk, you'll need to buy some bottles. The choice of baby bottles can be overwhelming as there are quite a few options.

When you start bottle feeding, don't buy loads as your baby may not necessarily like the ones you've chosen. Better to start off with a few and, if your baby approves, you can always buy more.

Examples of bottle types

Standard: widely available, and the least expensive option.

Wide-necked: easier to clean, but take up more space.

Anti-colic: reduce the amount of air your baby takes in while they're drinking.

Shaped: some bottles come with holes in the middle or special handles to make them easier for your baby to hold.

Heat-sensitive: change colour if the milk is too hot.

Self-sterilising: you just need a microwave to sterilise these bottles.

Disposable: sterilised bags that fit inside bottles and are thrown away after feeds.

Glass: more environmentally friendly than plastic bottles, but more breakable.

Teats

You can choose between silicone and latex teats for most of these bottle types. Silicone is more durable, while latex is softer and more flexible, but needs to be replaced more often.

The teats come in a bell shape, or a bulbous shape that's designed to feel more like a nipple. You might want to try both shapes when your baby first starts bottle feeding to see which one they prefer.

The teats often come with different flow rates. To find out which flow rate is best for your baby takes a bit of trial and error. If they're spluttering or choking with their current bottle, they need a slower flow. But if they're sucking quite hard and seem to be getting frustrated while they're feeding, you might want to try a faster flow.

You can also get variflow teats – some of these can be manually adjusted, while others automatically increase in flow as your baby's sucking gets stronger.

11. What is a birth plan?

A birth plan is a way of letting your midwife, nurses and doctors know what you want to happen during your labour. It's a chance to plan things like where you want to give birth, who's going to be with you during the birth, and what facilities you'd like to use.

If you're concerned about how coronavirus might affect your birth plan, visit the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists for the most up-to-date advice.

It's important to remember that giving birth doesn't always go perfectly to plan, and things may have to change at the last minute (but your midwife will be there to help you make the best and safest decision for you and your baby).

Things to think about

  • Where do you want to give birth? This could be at home, in a midwifery unit or in hospital.
  • Do you want someone with you during the birth, such as your partner or a family member?
  • If you need a forceps or vacuum delivery, would you want someone with you?
  • If a caesarean is necessary, do you want someone with you?
  • What birthing equipment do you want to use? This could include mats or beanbags.
  • Do you want to use any special facilities, such as a birthing pool?
  • Do you want to keep active during labour?
  • What position would you prefer to be in while you're in labour?
  • Do you want immediate skin-to-skin contact with your baby, before the cord is cut?
  • Are you happy for midwives, nurses and doctors in training to be present during your labour?
  • What are your pain relief preferences?
  • How do you want to feed your baby?
  • Can your baby be given vitamin K if they need it?

You can download an NHS birth plan template. While you're writing your birth plan, talk to your midwife about your choices so they understand and can advise you.

12. Should I have the flu vaccine?

The flu jab is the safest way to help protect pregnant women and their babies against flu, regardless of their stage in pregnancy, or how fit and healthy they feel.

Pregnancy naturally weakens the immune system, which means it's harder to fight off infections. As a result, flu can cause serious complications.

One of the most common flu complications is bronchitis - a chest infection that can become serious and develop into pneumonia. Read more about the flu jab in pregnancy on the NHS website.

Food cravings during pregnancy | Pregnancy Birth and Baby

Food cravings during pregnancy | Pregnancy Birth and Baby beginning of content

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What are food cravings?

Food cravings are sudden urges to eat a certain type of food or non-food (pica). They are a real experience and affect many females during pregnancy.

Sometimes you might crave common foods such as chocolate cake or apples. Sometimes you might want to eat unusual food combinations or a foods that you normally don’t like.

Common food cravings include ice cream, chocolate, other sweet foods, fish, dairy products, and fruit.

Why do cravings develop?

No one really knows why food cravings develop. However, there is no evidence of a link between cravings and nutrient deficiency.

Many pregnant women also develop a sudden dislike for certain strong-tasting and strong-smelling foods.

Food cravings and sudden food dislikes may have something to with the effects of pregnancy hormones, which can change the way some foods taste and smell.

What to do about food cravings

It is OK to give in to the occasional food craving, as long as you continue to eat a good variety of healthy foods.

If you are craving a lot of unhealthy foods, such as sweets or chocolate, try not to over-indulge. Too much sugar can cause excessive weight gain and dental problems. Also, if you have gestational diabetes, it won’t help you manage your condition.

Your doctor, midwife, dietitian or maternal and child health nurse can provide more information about healthy weight gain during pregnancy. Generally, a healthy weight gain during pregnancy is 5kg to 12kg, depending on your starting weight.

Some tips for managing cravings

The following suggestions will help you to manage your food cravings:

  • eat regular, healthy meals, to help prevent sudden feelings of hunger
  • keep your pantry stocked with healthy snacks
  • don’t do the grocery shopping when you are hungry
  • choose healthy, low glycaemic index (GI) foods that keep you full for longer (such as unsweetened rolled oats (porridge), wholegrain breads, baked beans, and fresh fruit)
  • get plenty of sleep (research has shown that people who are sleep deprived tend to crave junk food more often than healthy foods)
  • remain physically active
  • drink plenty of water
  • clean your teeth regularly

If you would like to learn more about nutritional needs during your pregnancy you can see a dietitian.

What foods should I avoid?

When you are pregnant, there are a few foods that you should avoid.

Things like:

  • raw or unpasteurised dairy products
  • soft cheeses e.g. brie, goats cheese
  • sushi
  • raw eggs
  • pate, meat spreads and smoked seafood
  • ready to eat sliced deli meats
  • undercooked food – especially meat

These can contain harmful bacteria, including salmonella and E. coli. and lead to harmful illnesses such as listeria or toxoplasmosis.

Make sure you prepare and store foods safely.

Read more about the foods to avoid during your pregnancy.

Alcohol

There is no safe level of alcohol that you can drink during your pregnancy. Alcohol can harm your unborn baby.

Whether you are planning a pregnancy, already pregnant or breastfeeding, not drinking is the safest option.

Non-food cravings

Some pregnant women develop a craving to eat substances that are not food, such as chalk, clay, laundry starch or soap. This is a condition called pica.

Pica may indicate a mineral deficiency or severe anaemia. Pica is rare in well-nourished women from developed countries such as Australia.

See your doctor, midwife, or nurse if you develop cravings for non-food items.

Speak to a maternal child health nurse

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.

Sources:
NSW Health (Common concerns in pregnancy), Australian Government Department of Health (Your Healthy Pregnancy), Dietitians Australia (Pregnancy and breastfeeding), Australian Government Department of Health (Healthy eating during your pregnancy)

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: June 2022


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Related pages

  • Healthy diet during pregnancy
  • Foods to avoid when pregnant
  • Alcohol and pregnancy
  • Food preparation and safety
  • Guide to food and drink during pregnancy

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Healthy diet during pregnancy

A healthy diet is an important part of a healthy lifestyle at any time, but especially vital if you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy.