Greenslopes Maternity Your Journey 11 Vitamin A Excessive Vitamin A can be harmful to your developing baby. Liver contains very large amounts of Vitamin A, so limit your intake to small amounts (50 grams per week at most). There is no danger of excessive Vitamin A intake from other foods. However, it is often present in multivitamin supplements, so ask if the supplements are recommended for pregnancy before buying them. Vitamin D Vitamin D helps the body to absorb calcium from food. UV or sunlight is the best natural source for Vitamin D. The following women are at risk of Vitamin D deficiency. Women who: • have darker skin • cover most of their body with clothing • spend most of their time indoors. Vitamin D deficiency can cause bone weakness, muscle pain in women and skeletal abnormalities (rickets) in babies. If you think you fall into the risk group, please speak to your doctor. Emotional ‘ups and downs’ Women experience a range of physical and emotional reactions during pregnancy. Hormonal changes are responsible for most of these emotional ups and downs. You may experience crying or sadness for no apparent reason. In the early months you are also likely to be feeling extremely tired. Many women also experience some degree of nausea. Talking to your partner or a health professional about your feelings can often help you to see things differently. Depression Pregnant women tend to experience an emotional rollercoaster ride. Consequently, the signs of depression can go unnoticed. It is important to keep a check on how you are feeling emotionally and to let someone know if you are: • low a lot of the time, anxious or tense • feeling guilty • feeling that things are hopeless • not enjoying things you normally enjoy • crying all the time • irritable • finding it hard to sleep, concentrate or make decisions • wanting to harm yourself. Talk to your doctor to ensure you get the support you need. Your partner’s feelings Your partner may be feeling very excited about the new baby, but they might also be feeling a bit confused about your feelings and the changes that are happening to you. Try to talk to your partner about what you are experiencing. This can help both of you to adjust to the changes happening in your life. Pregnancy partners can: • be there for the ultrasound • participate in decisions about your care • talk to other friends who are parents • go with you to childbirth education classes • feel the baby kick • support you through your labour and birth • get involved with the care of the baby as soon as possible after the birth. Refrigerate leftover food as soon as it has stopped producing steam. Try to talk to your partner about what you are experiencing. This can help both of you to adjust to the changes happening in your life. Something to Remember
GPH Materntiy Your Journey Book PI499 0216
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