Health during pregnancy
If you have any concerns about the health of yourself or your baby, please talk to your doctor or midwife.
Health issues during pregnancy may include;
Emotional support
Pregnancy, birth and early parenthood are times of great change. Most women experience various emotional reactions. It helps if you can talk about your concerns openly with your partner or close friend.
For signs of depression, you can talk to your GP. There are also many organisations that offer support:
Perinatal mental health
- Post and Antenatal Depression Association 1300 726 306
- Beyondblue’s Just Speak Up 1300 22 4636
- White Cloud Foundation 1300 726 306
Mental health support
- Black Dog Institute
- Lifeline 13 11 14 (24 hours a day)
- Sane Australia 1800 18 7263
- MensLine Australia 1300 789 978 (24 hours a day)
Pregnancy support
- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
- 13 HEALTH 13 43 25 84
- Women’s Health Queensland Wide
- Pregnancy Helpline 1800 090 777 (if you have an unplanned pregnancy and want to discuss your options with a qualified counsellor)
Alcohol
The safest choice for your baby is to not drink any alcohol. This is advice from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.
Smoking
Stop smoking during pregnancy. Toxic chemicals are absorbed into your bloodstream and passed to your baby through the umbilical cord. If you aren’t able 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.
Smoking while pregnant can increase your baby’s risk of problems after birth:
- sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- low birth weight
- infections and other health problems
- asthma and other breathing difficulties
- behavioural problems.
Call Quitline 13 78 48.
