First time pregnant, questions

[Chocol4te]

Hi all, I"m new to this and I have a couple of questions if you can help me, midwife appointment is in 3weeks time so long time till then

So, we had a holiday planned since January, we will go to Greece, I will be 12 weeks then, I read it's safe to fly, is this correct? Also I know to avoid hot sun and apply suncream but does it matter the brand? Are not all of them pregnancy friendly? Do you have any advise on travelling while pregnant?

Speaking about body lotions, Are you still using the same ones you had or did you buy lotions specially for pregnant women?

And last question, my BMI is 30, I read I might need a bigger dose of folic acid, as the appointment is in 3 weeks time with the midwife should I just take the normal dose and then she can prescribe it or what should I do?

Safe to fly
Suncream and lotion fine
Yes to higher dose of folic acid. They'll prescribe it to you

In my area the bigger folic acid dose doesn’t get prescribed unless your BMI is 35 or over. BMI 30 and flying may have different recommendations if you have complications or you have a history of stroke in the family - make sure you tell your midwife you’re flying as you may need to receive aspirin or blood thinning injections.

There's no harm in just taking double folic acid anyway. It gets weed out if you take too much. Where I live they recommend twice as much as in the UK for everyone.

I was abroad around 7 weeks pregnant and midwife sent me information early as I informed her on my booking sheet I was away. Only thing she said to me was just avoid food poisoning. I didn’t go to a European country so had to watch what I ate more such as eggs but just be wary of things like home made mayonnaise and make use your food is properly cooked. Greek hygiene levels are much higher than where we went so it will probably be easier to spot where would be safe and where isn’t. I managed to burn my belly but it didn’t effect my baby but just keep topping up the sun lotion. I though I did but obviously didn’t take a high enough factor! Enjoy your holiday!

Also check your up to date with any vaccinations/ health warnings

It's over 30 bmi for 5mg of folic acid in my area. Ir was prescribed until 12 weeks. I flew and there was no issue. Presumably you don't particularly look pregnant so the flight crew aren't going to question it so if your midwife is happy at booking in, don't give it a second thought.

My other piece of advice is to look at the NHS website for advice only. There's so much misinformation online you'll find sites telling you conflicting info.

Congratulations!
I'm currently 11 weeks pregnant. Can't advise about the travel question but re the body lotion, I usually use Kiehls crime de corps at night as it's a thick lotion so I've been using that or palmers cocoa butter for stretch marks. But they're both lotions I used anyway, I haven't bought anything new.

My BMI is also 30 and when I had my booking in appointment the midwife just asked why vitamins/folic acid I am taking (seven seas) and she didn't advise that I would need a higher dose. She did advise that I will need to have the glucose test later on due to my BMI but she said it's really just a precaution and shouldn't be much to worry about

Hi congratulations, and welcome to the first timer club. I am 17+1 and will be flying at 20 weeks which is fine and then again at 33 weeks which I will need a fit to fly note and some good pregnancy specific insurance. Regarding sun cream I haven't really thought about it and have just bought Nivea at various different factors for throughout the holiday.

My BMI is other 30 and I got prescribed a higher dose of folic acid only 5mg instead of the 4mg you buy on the high street.

Thanks for replying!
Yeah, I will continue taking the normal vitamins, I'm currently taking Pregnacare Max - only that 400 micrograms is 0.4 mg, long way till 5mg which is the higher dose if I need...

Pregnacare Max actually contains 2mg folic acid and the rest is an active folate form (same as in food). So you could continue to have it along with the higher folic acid dose if you wanted. As a previous poster said, excess folic acid doesn’t build up in your body unless you have specific genetic conditions so it’s fine.

I've just got higher dose folic acid, M just coming up to 5 weeks. I just went to the GP to get as self-referral sheet from the community midwives said to go to GP if over 40 etc etc I thought it would be pretty pointless if I didn't get it until 10 weeks from the midwife as the important time in development is already happening!

Congrats!

Avoid any body lotions / creams that contain vitamin A (ie anything with retinol). There is some evidence it can lead to birth defects.

You might want to get some flight socks too. I flew at 15 weeks and midwife said really they advise all pregnant ladies to wear them / if you have a BMI over 30. I got mine in boots and we're pretty comfortable

Ask your GP for the higher dose folic acid as you should start taking that asap

Hi everyone, first time pregnant very early (5weeks) eek! I work in retail and was wondering when you recommend I tell my boss? I'm stuck in 2 minds.

I always tell work early on. My reasoning is that I can get time off for antenatal appt without using leave, I have a long commute and they allow more working from home, if I need time off for sickness or fatigue then I don't have to lie and if the worst happened then I'd be telling them anyway as I'd need time off to deal with my physical and emotional needs. I know lots of people are against saying anything before 20 weeks though.

Retinol a in creams is fine, unless you are eating it in huge quantities.