Too often during pregnancy, chemicals which are legal and readily available, are misused by expectant mothers. These substances include nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, prescription medicines and over the counter drugs.

Smoking is harmful to the unborn child as most people are aware. Smoke contains about four thousands compounds including nicotine, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide and ammonia derivatives. These are all potentially dangerous.

Nicotine constricts the blood vessels and by doing so it is as though you were putting a pillow over your baby's face every time that you light up a cigarette.

The US Surgeon General in 1980 detailed a study which indicated that babies born to smoking mothers were six times more likely to be still-born or to result in miscarriage than were infants born to non-smoking women.

Moreover, babies born alive were smaller, lighter and much more often premature with a tendency to respiratory disease and even cot death later on.

A study done in Belgium more recently indicates that there is also an increased risk of having a baby with Down's Syndrome, and a Greek study has shown a significant risk of tubal, or ectopic pregnancy. Development of the child in infancy will be slowed due to smoking of the mother.

All this shows how dangerous it is for pregnant women to smoke, and passive or second-hand smoke is also risky. Therefore it is vital that you try to eliminate smoking if at all possible.

During your pregnancy stopping smoking will be of enormous benefit to the baby, even if you were smoking when the baby was first conceived. It is one of the hardest addictions to overcome but it can be done.

Fortunately, during the first three months of pregnancy the senses of taste and smell are altered, often making the thought of a cigarette repugnant, and some people stop spontaneously. You will feel much better when you quit.

The damaging effects of alcohol were first described in 1899. Even a low intake, when used during pregnancy, can cause spontaneous abortion, malformation, foetal growth retardation and mental retardation or foetal alcohol syndrome. The latter (F.A.S.) is well documented, and can occur in mothers who take only one drink per day, whether wine, beer or spirits. This condition of the newborn has very serious implications. As well as physical malformations, there are mental and behavioural problems which are characteristic of F.A.S. and these will continue to affect the child throughout infancy and childhood.

The risk of spontaneous miscarriage is also increased when either parent drinks, probably because of alcohol can affect sperm and chromosomes. There is no established safe level of drinking. Alcohol often becomes unpalatable by the sixth to eighth week of pregnancy, but at the same time the early weeks of pregnancy are often a time of high anxiety and depression, which may increase likelihood of drinking to relieve tension.

The early weeks of pregnancy are most crucial for the forming foetus. In addition, alcohol is a drug which can be passed on to your baby in breast milk. Help is available if you find that quitting is impossible. Do not hesitate to contact the various support groups throughout the Island.

Caffeine is a powerful stimulant. Some studies indicate that excessive use of caffeine may be harmful to your baby. It is important to cut down your intake of caffeine-containing drinks, foods and drugs. Read the labels and limit yourself to a maximum of three servings per day of coffee tea, cola or chocolate. It hinders the absorption of vitamin B-Complex, so use decaffeinated coffee and tea, which contains about one quarter the amount in regular coffee and tea.

Regarding prescription drugs in pregnancy, some medicines are not suitable and may need to be altered, preferably before you attempt to become pregnant. Do let your doctor and dentist know that you may be pregnant if you miss a period. Try to avoid all medicines, unless they have been prescribed by your doctor with the full knowledge that your are, or may be, pregnant.

Over-the-counter medications should not be used without checking with your physician. Simple measures can often manage symptoms as well as pills.

Plain crackers or dry toast and a cup of weak tea in the early morning, will help if you suffer from nausea and vomiting, as will avoiding greasy foods.

For constipation, use prune juice or natural bran and fibre from fresh fruits and vegetables, and increase your fluid intake. Heartburn or indigestion can be avoided if you stay away from spicy or fried foods and rich desserts. Eat slowly and try taking several small meals daily rather than three large ones.

It also helps to sleep propped up by pillows.

We all know women who have produced healthy, well-developed babies without any on-going problems and who have taken absolutely no care of themselves during the ante-natal period. They are lucky and the exception to the rule. Life is not always like that, so it is only prudent to do the right thing. Do it for you. Do it for your baby. -- Mary Boorman, Maternal Health and Family Planning Clinic, Department of Health.