One thing women are never short of during pregnancy is a barrage of advice. But sometimes that advice is confusing. The Government, through its chief medical officers, recently urged women to avoid alcohol completely when trying for a baby or when pregnant.

But the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said there is no evidence that a couple of glasses of wine per week, for example, will do any harm to the baby.

Last month pregnant women were warned not to take iron supplements unless they are anaemic.

A study of more than 700 women in Iran - half of whom were given an iron preparation and half of whom were given a dummy pill - found that the women taking the iron supplement were more likely to develop high blood pressure and more likely to have a small baby.

Research published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that iron supplements increased the risk of copper and zinc deficiency in women.

The general advice is that women should obtain their iron from their diet rather than supplements.

Severe stress is also a worrying factor for pregnant women. Research in Denmark published some years ago suggested that severe emotional turmoil from events such as job loss, marriage breakdown or bereavement, could cause abnormalities in unborn children.

So, what is the current advice to pregnant women? We look at what the Department of Health and local charity Tiny Life say, while an Ulster mother tells of her experiences.

Helen Lynagh (37) from Armoy in Co Antrim is expecting her second child in October. She already has a two-and-a-half year old daughter, Erin. She says:

In my first pregnancy I was probably more apprehensive and anxious, and I asked a lot more questions of my GP and other healthcare staff. "I was assigned to a midwife at the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine for both pregnancies. The first time I had a scan at 12-14 weeks, but this time I was supposed to wait 16 weeks because of the volume of work at the hospital. However, it was carried out earlier because there was a risk I might be having twins, which run in my family.

"I was anxious when told that I would have to wait that length of time. I didn't want to tell people I was pregnant until I had my first scan and by the original appointment, that would have been after nearly four months.

"The staff at the hospital are great and they gave me a lot of literature to read about the risk factors during pregnancy. I was also offered tests for conditions like Downe's Syndrome because of my age, but my husband, Olcan, and I decided against having them. There is a risk of miscarriage due to some of the tests.

"I don't smoke and during my pregnancy with Erin I did not drink at all. I haven't drunk during this pregnancy, but I don't see any harm in having a couple of glasses of wine occasionally.

"During my first pregnancy my blood count was low and I took supplements, but haven't taken any this time. I think I have a relatively healthy diet.

"There is no doubt that I was more anxious during my first pregnancy. Everything was new to me then. Although I had a lengthy and difficult labour with Erin, I feel a lot more relaxed this time.

"However, if I thought there were any problems, I would not hesitate to contact the hospital or my GP and I gave that advice to a friend of mine who is also pregnant. You cannot take risks and the medical staff are only too glad to help you.

Carleen Doherty is the Family Support and Education Manager of the Tiny Life charity - formerly the NI Mother and Baby Appeal. She says:

Our charity is primarily concerned with helping mums-to-be avoid premature births but the advice is also applicable to all women.

Smoking is an obvious risk factor. It has been linked to pre-term births which can lead to very serious complications for the baby, both at the time of birth and in its later development.

There are mixed messages on alcohol. That is largely because we don't know if there is a safety level of alcohol intake during pregnancy. Our advice is to stop drinking completely if planning to become pregnant or if pregnancy has been confirmed.

Women should ensure they get good pre-natal care. If they don't make, and keep, their appointments with their hospital doctors or midwives then opportunities for monitoring their health and the health of the unborn baby could be missed. There are problems which can be corrected easily if detected early. That is why it is vital to make pre-natal appointments.

In around 50% of premature births there is no clear reason for the pre-term labour. In the other half of cases the reasons include infection.

Women know their bodies best and if they suspect something is not quite right during their pregnancy they should insist on a medical check-up. I am not advocating that they should be alarmist, but they should not take risks with their health or the health of their unborn babies.

There are around 1,500 premature babies born in Northern Ireland annually and each year around 2,000 babies spend time in intensive or special care units. Perhaps some of those cases could be avoided with a sensible approach to lifestyle.

Department of Health guidance to pregnant women is drawn from the Pregnancy Book - a detailed guide to a healthy pregnancy, labour, giving birth and life with the new baby. The book was compiled with the assistance of various Royal Colleges and other health professionals. Guidance includes:

Smoking - stop as soon as possible. Smoking can cause complications in pregnancy and birth including increasing the risk of still birth, premature birth, underweight babies and later health problems for babies.

Alcohol - Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, together with his counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales, have advised pregnant women, or those trying to become pregnant, to cut out drink altogether. If they choose to drink they should consume no more than one or two units of alcohol once or twice a week and should not get drunk. Too much exposure to alcohol can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome with leaves children with restricted growth, heart defects, facial abnormalities and learning and behavioural disorders.

Pills, medicines and drugs - assume all medicines are dangerous until advised by a doctor or pharmacist that they are safe. Ensure your GP knows you are pregnant when he is prescribing anything. X-rays should also be avoided if possible.

Exercise - keep up normal daily physical activity or exercise for as long as you feel comfortable. Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid strenuous exercise in hot weather.

Maintain a healthy diet - eat plenty of fruit and vegetables; eat plenty of starchy foods such as bread, pasta, rice and potatoes; eat foods rich in protein such as lean meat, chicken and fish, eggs and pulses; take plenty of fibre and eat dairy foods such as milk, cheese and yoghurt which contain calcium.

Folic acid - take daily 400 microgram folic acid supplements when trying to become pregnant until 12th week of pregnancy and also eat green vegetables, brown rice, fortified bread and breakfast cereals which contain folate, the natural form of folic acid.

Iron - pregnant women can become deficient in iron. Good sources of iron include red meat, pulses, bread, green vegetables and fortified breakfast cereals.



Pregnant women should avoid:

* Cheeses such as Camembert, Brie, chevre (a type of goat's cheese) or blue cheese.

* Pate.

* Raw or partially cooked eggs.

* Raw or undercooked meat.

* Liver products and supplements containing Vitamin A. Too much of the vitamin could harm the unborn baby.

* Some types of fish including any shark, swordfish and marlin, and limit intake of tuna to no more than two tuna steaks a week. These fish contain mercury which can harm the baby's developing nervous system. Limit intake of oily fish such as fresh tuna, mackerel, sardines and trout to two portions a week.

* Undercooked ready meals.

* Raw shellfish.