Pregnancy questions: feeling the baby and illness concerns

Common pregnancy worries: feeling the baby and illness concerns| Questions during pregnancy | Second trimester

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Here, Angela Horler, an antenatal teacher for the National Childbirth Trust and an independent midwife answers some of the most common questions throughout your second trimester.

16. I haven't felt the baby move for a few days - should I be worried?

All babies should have regular periods of activity and your baby should be moving frequently every day once you are aware of its movements.

Sometimes when you are very busy you can miss movements - drinking an ice-cold drink and sitting quietly should get your baby moving!

Your baby's movements are a good indicator of its general wellbeing so if you're worried your baby isn't moving you should speak to a midwife by contacting the Maternity Day Assessment Unit at your local hospital.

17. How will I know if I've got pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes?

Antenatal appointments are scheduled at regular intervals, normally with your midwife or your GP. At each appointment your urine is checked for protein and your blood pressure is monitored to ensure it is a healthy one for you. If there are any changes to these your midwife would refer you to the hospital for a full check up and pre-eclampsia screen.

Symptoms of pre-eclampsia include headaches and visual disturbances, sharp pain at the bottom of your ribs on the right-hand side and sudden facial swelling. Some women just feel unwell. If you have any concerns always seek immediate advice from your Maternity Day Assessment Unit.

Gestational diabetes is a condition that might occur in pregnancy. Women are no longer screened for this routinely unless they fall into a certain group. Your midwife can discuss this further with you.

18. My friend's child has chicken pox - do I need to keep away?

Chicken pox is a normal childhood disease. However if a women gets it during pregnancy, particularly during the last few weeks, there may be some concerns for the baby.

You can get chicken pox around 10-20 days before any symptoms appear and it's contagious from around 48 hours before spots appear and until all the spots have crusted over.

If you had chicken pox as a child you are very likely to have developed full immunity, but if you are in any doubt at all contact your GP who can arrange for a blood screen to be done and can arrange treatment if necessary.