"Keeping healthy and active in pregnancy"

I was able to benefit from the Healthy Lifestyles service in NHS Lanarkshire during my pregnancy in 2020. I regularly attended appointments (either video or face to face) during the pregnancy and right through until 7 months postnatal. The service is invaluable and is absolutely the reason I was able to maintain an active pregnancy, gaining a sensible amount of weight, and safely losing that weight once baby was here. The accountability that the service provides is so important - always having this at the back of mind when others were saying things like "you're eating for two now", or "get all the rest you can, put those feet up.”. 

Having the combination of services in one appointment was good as often the discussions covered all aspects of nutrition, activity and general pregnancy. Each of the team played a valuable role in a healthy pregnancy for me. Without this service, it would be very easy to gain an excessive amount of weight and then struggle to lose it again. Instead, it has made me feel confident and active as a new mum, as well as positive about my body’s ability to manage another pregnancy in the future. It has also enabled me to build healthy habits for the future that will benefit both me and my family.

Thank you Heather, Margaret, Elizabeth and Alicia.