Are you pregnant? Make sure you read our Pregnacare A-Z of Pregnancy and Nutrition, covering everything important for parents-to-be. Next, we take a look at the letter S during pregnancy

Our Pregnacare A-Z is a series of posts, one for each letter of the alphabet, designed to help you understand your nutritional needs, how they change and the best foods to choose during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

This A to Z answers many of the important questions mums-to-be have about pregnancy and nutrition. It covers everything from antenatal care through to water intake, via pregnancy vitamin supplements. You can download the full version of the guide in PDF format here.

If you have any further questions, make sure you ask your midwife or GP.

Pregnacare A-Z Of Pregnancy And Nutrition – What Does The Letter S Stand For?

Salmonella

What Is Salmonella, And How Can It Affect My Pregnancy?

Salmonella is the most common cause of food poisoning in the UK, and in severe cases may cause miscarriage or premature labour. The foods most likely to carry salmonella are raw eggs or partially cooked eggs that are not British Lion or undercooked poultry.

Therefore pregnant women are advised to only eat raw (e.g. fresh mayonnaise and mousse), partially cooked and fully cooked British Lion eggs (eggs with a lion stamp on them).

Food hygiene should be tightened especially with raw and cooked meats. Wash hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap after handling raw meat and use a separate chopping board for raw and cooked meat products.

Salt Intake

How Much Salt Should I Eat During Pregnancy?

Most of us consume too much salt, which in the long-term can have negative effects on blood pressure. More than two thirds of the salt in our diets comes from pre-packaged and processed foods. Limited evidence from one systematic review found no significant difference in the risk of pre-eclampsia with a low salt diet compared with a normal diet.*

* Duley L, Henderson-Smart DJ, Meher S (2005) Altered Dietary salt for preventing pre-eclampsia and its complications. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD005548. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005548.

Sex

Can We Still Have Sex During Pregnancy; Will It Harm The Baby?

Because your body doesn’t change that much in the first trimester, sex can pretty much continue as it has in the past. If you’re having a normal pregnancy, sex is considered safe during all stages of pregnancy.

Many expectant mothers find that their desire for sex fluctuates during certain stages in the pregnancy, with some finding that sex becomes uncomfortable as their bodies get larger.

Your baby is fully protected by the amniotic sac (a thin-walled bag that holds the foetus and surrounding fluid) and the strong muscles of the uterus. There’s also a thick mucus plug that seals the cervix and helps guard against infection. The penis does not come into contact with the foetus during sex, so it is safe to continue having sex throughout the whole of pregnancy.

If you experience bleeding at any stage during pregnancy you should contact your midwife as soon as possible.

Sex After Your Baby Is Born

Generally, you should wait at least six weeks after birth before having sex. The uterus and cervix undergo significant changes during the process of delivering a baby and they need time to heal.

During this healing phase the lining of the uterus, especially the site where the placenta was attached, is susceptible to infection. Sex, douching, tampons and anything placed in the vagina may introduce bacteria, and cause an infection

Skin

How Will My Skin Change During Pregnancy?

The most common skin changes in pregnancy are:

• Chloasma: brown, clearly defined patches on the face, typically on the cheekbones and forehead.
• Darkening of the nipples and external genitals (pubic area).
• Darkening of existing moles.
• Linea nigra: a dark line that appears on the abdomen, running straight down from the umbilicus (belly button).
• Striae gravidarum (stretch marks of pregnancy): red lines or bands that can appear on the abdomen during pregnancy, or the breasts after breast-feeding, which later become white, smooth, shiny and flattened.
• Veins near the skin can become more obvious.
• Varicose (swollen) veins can appear on the legs.
• An increase in the number of skin tags (small, harmless skin outgrowths that occur especially on the neck, but can be found on any part of body).
• Acne can worsen.

Sleeping

How Will Pregnancy Affect My Sleep?

According to one study, 97% of pregnant women have difficulties getting to sleep or staying asleep. It can happen at any time, say the US researchers in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing. Problems in the study group of 127 women ranged from restlessness, wakefulness and tiredness in the day.

Sleep problems are very common during pregnancy for all sorts of reasons. In early and late pregnancy in particular, you may need to get up in the night to use the bathroom.

As you get bigger, finding a comfortable position to sleep can be difficult. Your body’s ‘thermostat’ can seem permanently set to ‘over-heat.’ You may find it too hot for bedcovers, but then wake up feeling cold. Backache can also keep you awake. Putting a pillow under your bump can help in late pregnancy.

You may also experience ‘restless leg syndrome’ which isn’t uncommon and is exactly what it sounds like: jerking or twitching of the legs, particularly when lying down. Leg cramps are also a common complaint.

Sleeping on your side after first trimester has a significant effect on reducing stillbirth.

Smoked Meat

Can I Eat Smoked Meat During Pregnancy?

Some countries advise pregnant women not to eat cold meats because of the risk of Listeria. In the UK, women are not advised to avoid these products because the risk is very low.

Pregnant women should take care when eating cold cured meats such as salami, pepperoni, chorizo and Parma ham because these meats are not cooked but cured and fermented so they may contain toxoplasmosis-causing parasites.

For ready-to-eat meats, you can reduce the risk from parasites by freezing cured meats for four days at home before you eat them. Freezing kills most parasites and so makes the meat safer to eat.

Soft Cheese

Can I Eat Soft Cheese During Pregnancy?

Mould-ripened soft cheeses, such as Brie and Camembert, may contain Listeria, which is a type of bacteria that can lead to pre-term birth, miscarriage, and/or flu-like symptoms. These should therefore be avoided during pregnancy.

However it is fine to eat other soft cheeses such as cream cheese, ricotta or cottage cheese, as long as they’re made from pasteurised milk. If you are unsure – stick to a hard cheese such as Cheddar and parmesan.

Read our post on pregnancy foods, and what’s safe to eat and not eat during pregnancy.

Spicy Food

Can I Eat Spicy Food When I’m Pregnant Or Breastfeeding

It’s fine to eat spicy or hot food whilst pregnant or nursing, as long as you feel fine while you’re eating it. Although a tiny fraction of what you ingest is transferred into your milk supply, it’s unlikely that eating spicy food will affect your baby.

Eating garlic may even be beneficial to breast-feeding. Two studies have shown that the infants of mothers who eat garlic tend to feed for a longer time, and many babies seem to prefer a variety of flavour in breast milk. Go by trial and error. If you suffer from heartburn after you’ve eaten a fiery curry, or your baby seems upset or irritable, then opt for a milder diet until they are slightly older.

Women from parts of the world where spicy dishes are the cultural norm don’t make big changes to their diet when they become pregnant or are nursing, the key is to stick to a healthy, varied diet, and avoid foods that make you feel uncomfortable.

Starchy Food

What Starchy Foods Should I Eat During Pregnancy?

Starchy foods including bread, rice, pasta and potatoes are carbohydrates and are satisfying, making you feel fuller for longer and providing you with energy. As they are bulky, you are less likely to overeat and gain weight on starchy foods, so include one at every meal and choose a starchy food over fatty and sugary snacks wherever possible. Wholegrain versions are especially nutritious and the fibre helps to prevent constipation.

Make sure you also check out the rest of our Pregnacare A-Z Guide to Pregnancy and Nutrition:

A / B / C / D / E / F / G / H / I / J / L / M / N / P / S / T / U / V / W 

While every attempt has been made to ensure that the information contained in this guide is accurate and reliable, this is intended as a guide only and not a substitute for advice from a health professional. Please note: Vitabiotics cannot guarantee the reliability of facts obtained from other third party information sources. Information correct at time of being published (May 2020).