Bendigo Health Maternity Services

• Raw seafood eg oysters, sashimi, smoked seafood
(canned is ok)
• Unpasteurized milk (pasteurized fridge and UHT shelf
milks are safe)
• Soft serve ice cream
For the health of you and your baby during pregnancy (and
for your whole family), eat freshly cooked or prepared food
as much as possible.
ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS
Some artificial sweeteners cross the placenta, avoid cyclamate
and saccharine (sugarine). Aspartame and sucralose are safe
to use in pregnancy (Equal, Nutrasweet and Splenda).
MERCURY IN FISH
High levels of mercury are dangerous for the developing
foetus. Pregnant women should choose carefully which
fish they eat for the two – three serves per week that is
recommended.
• Limit to once per fortnight (150g) billfish (swordfish,
broadbill, marlin, shark/flake)
• Limit to once per week (150g) orange roughy (deep sea
perch), catfish, with no other fish that week
It is only a potential problem if that type of fish is eaten
regularly, which causes a build up of mercury in the mother’s
blood.
FOETAL MOVEMENTS
Most pregnant women feel their baby move by 18-20 weeks
(very early on it may feel like flutters). If you do not feel these
movements please contact your GP or maternity unit. From
about 28 weeks women should feel at least 10 movements
in a 12 hour day. If you experience a change in the number
of movements that you feel, and particularly if you feel less
than 10 movements, please contact your care provider, who
can check if there are any problems causing the reduced
movements.
BLEEDING IN PREGNANCY
There should be no bleeding in pregnancy (the exception
of this may be a small amount of blood seen with a show).
If you have any bleeding during your pregnancy please
report immediately to your GP, maternity unit or emergency
department.
A SHOW
This is a mucous plug which has been in the cervix (opening
at the bottom of the uterus) and may contain a small amount
of pinky coloured blood. It usually occurs when your body
is starting to get ready for labour. It can occur weeks before
labour actually starts, or just a few hours before your labour
7
begins. Some women may not notice a show. If you have a
show before 37 weeks contact your GP or the maternity unit.
RH NEGATIVE BLOOD GROUP
Ask your midwife or doctor to explain the recommended
management that will be required. Occasionally this blood
group can cause some problems. A brochure about Rh
negative blood group is available for women who are Rh
negative. Please ask a midwife for a copy.
PRE-ECLAMPSIA
This is a condition peculiar to pregnancy and the cause is
generally unknown. (Blood pressure is raised above normal).
There may be more than a trace of protein in your urine and
generalised swelling in your legs, arms or face. Treatment is
rest and sometimes medication and for some women labour
is induced (started) earlier than the estimated date of the
baby’s birth. NB traces of protein in urine are very common
for many women and generally is of no concern.
PREMATURE LABOUR
Bendigo Health Maternity Services Handbook
Labour occurring before 37 weeks gestation
(pregnancy) is considered premature. If you have painful
contractions that are coming in a regular pattern, they may be
felt in your back, lower abdomen or tops of your legs: contact
the maternity unit as soon as possible. Rupture of membranes
before 37 weeks is considered a premature rupture of
membranes and you should contact the maternity unit as soon
as possible.
RUPTURED MEMBRANES (WATERS BREAK)
Your baby is surrounded by two strong membranes which
contain fluid called liquor or amniotic fluid. This fluid allows
your baby to move around in the uterus. Your membranes
may rupture by one of the following ways:
• Hind water rupture; Which is a small leak from
the membranes at the top of the uterus. Put on a pad
and observe for urine or liquor. Contact the maternity
unit and speak to a midwife. You are advised to call the
maternity unit when your membranes rupture (break).
• Fore water rupture; Liquor is leaking from the
membranes in front of the baby’s head. Usually a larger
amount of fluid is passed from the vagina. The colour of
the fluid should be clear or white. When your membranes
rupture you will need to come to the hospital. Put on a
pad, contact the maternity unit and advise a midwife you
are coming into hospital for assessment.
NB The fluid around your baby may cause damage to
some fabrics, therefore it is recommended that you protect
your mattress with some plastic. Labour may not occur for
many hours following the membranes rupturing, sometimes
assistance is required to start labour and antibiotics are also
needed. Most ruptured membranes occur during labour