Firstly, congratulations! Here are a few of my tips to keep you in good health during your pregnancy.

Tiredness: At the start the high levels of progesterone can have a sedative effect on your body, which is why you can really feel like you want to sleep all the time in the first few weeks of your pregnancy, so rest and sleep as much as you can till this phase passes. Your energy will take dips but also highs as you go along, you have to go with that and mind yourself.

Morning sickness and your diet: Although everyone calls it that because that is the time it is most likely to hit, it can happen at any time of the day. It is much more likely to happen if you don’t eat enough and your blood sugar levels are allowed to drop, so eat small amounts of food on a regular basis. Severe vomiting is dangerous as it can cause dehydration– if you are experiencing this make sure you let your GP know.

Your body can experience some pretty strange cravings when you are pregnant but this is less likely to happen if you are eating really healthy food and keeping your blood sugar levels balanced.

Small snacks every couple of hours will really help, remember you are investing in your baby and looking after your own body when you eat the best food that you can.

Some new mums think that it is a great time to eat lots of rubbish food because they are not watching their figure anymore, but you will have to deal with the excess weight after the baby is born if you take this route and you will have less time to work on it because you will be so busy.

Exercise: All research has shown that pregnant women in nearly every case have a much easier pregnancy in terms of energy and less swelling when they take exercise. Walking every day for up to 40 minutes is the safest and best way to do this.

By walking each day you will increase your energy, increase circulation so less chance of swelling in the ankles etc, be fit and healthy which will make labour easier and you will sleep better.

Drink your water: You will want to do this less and less as you go through pregnancy as you will be living in the bathroom if you fill your bladder too much. My advice is small amounts at regular intervals. It is vital that your body stays hydrated while you are carrying your baby.

If you suffer from water retention, make sure you are not standing for long periods of time. Avoid salty food types. Do not take diuretics while you are pregnant. If this gets worse then see your GP, also try raise your feet when you get the chance.

One last tip for you: a lot of women experience bouts of constipation during this time. The progesterone relaxes the intestine muscles and makes it much harder for them to do their job so if this happens do not take a laxative without consulting your doctor but you can mash up some kiwis, drinking warm water will also help or if all else fails try good old prune juice.

That may all be starting to sound a bit depressing, but remember there are lots of good parts as well. You will be more radiant than ever before, you are creating a new little person and you now have an excuse to REST guilt-free any time you can.

Good luck with your new arrival!

For more information www.helenwalsh.ie or phone 01 2605050.

Helen has a seminar on June 28th in Stillorgan Park Hotel. If you would like to book a ticket and you mention ‘NewsFour’ you will get a €10 discount.