What foods should be avoided?

It is important to avoid a high intake of vitamin A during pregnancy as it may cause damage to the embryo. Foods containing large amounts of vitamin A include liver, cod liver oil and liver sausage and should be eaten on an occasional basis only. The type of vitamin A found in fruit and vegetables is safe to eat.

Unpasteurised and soft ripened cheeses, such as Brie, Cambozola, Camembert and blue-veined cheeses are not recommended due to the risk of Listeria, which can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or serious illness in the newborn baby.

Alcohol is best avoided altogether and try to completely avoid getting drunk. The government recommends no more than one or two units (a unit is a 120ml glass of wine, a single measure of spirits, or half a pint of normal strength beer) once or twice a week.

Raw or lightly cooked eggs may contain the Salmonella bacteria which causes food poisoning. Cook eggs until the white and the yolk are solid and avoid home-made mayonnaise, ice-cream, cheesecake or mousse.

Steer clear of paté and oven-ready meals that are uncooked or undercooked because of the possible risk of Listeria.

Raw meat, uncooked seafood, rare or uncooked beef or poultry should be avoided because of the risk of contamination with coliform bacteria, toxoplasmosis, and salmonella.

It is advisable to avoid eating shellfish as they may cause food poisoning.

Peanuts should be avoided if you, the baby's father, or any of your previous children suffer from asthma, eczema, hay fever, or food allergies. Studies suggest that a baby can develop peanut allergy before birth or while breastfeeding, but the evidence for this is a little uncertain.

Limit your caffeine intake and try instead to drink decaffeinated coffee and tea or keep to no more three cups of brewed coffee or four cups/three mugs of instant coffee per day. High levels of caffeine are linked with miscarriage and stillbirth.

Certain fish. A survey by the Food Standards Agency has found high levels of mercury in some fish which can affect the developing nervous system of an unborn baby. Restrict the amount of tuna you eat to two medium cans or a single fresh steak a week, and completely avoid swordfish, marlin and shark. This applies when you're planning a pregnancy, as well as when you're actually pregnant or breastfeeding.

Morning sickness and how to cope

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