THE PRACTICALITIES

NOTHING CALMS THE MIND LIKE A PRACTICAL TO-DO LIST. HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS

TO DO

Find a doctor, midwife or caregiver Consider government vs private hospital births, and natural vs caesarean Confirm your pregnancy with an ultrasound scan, and then plan to have the very important 12-week ultrasound scan at your doctor or clinic Take your prenatal vitamins and folic acid Stop smoking immediately Start eating healthily, aiming for at least the recommended 5-a-day servings of fruits and vegetables Start some gentle pregnancy-safe exercise, such as walking, yoga or swimming

NOT TO DO

Do not eat soft, unpasteurised cheeses, sushi, unheated deli meat and anything containing raw egg Do not endanger your baby with impact exercise such as kickboxing Do not go scuba diving Do not take medication unless your doctor has told you it’s safe in pregnancy Do not drink alcohol