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Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Perinatal Support for Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic Group

BAME Pregnant

Recent research from the UK Obstetric Surveillance System at Oxford University shows that women from a Black, Asian and minority ethnic background make up more than half (56%) of pregnant women admitted to hospital with COVID-19. The research indicates that Asian women are four times more likely than white women to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19 during pregnancy, while Black women are eight times more likely.

If you are a woman of Black, Asian and minority ethnic background you are at higher risk of complications of COVID-19.

If you are concerned about your own or your baby's health, such as reduced fetal movements, you need to seek advice from your local maternity unit without delay. 

Hospital staff are aware of the increased risk for women of Black, Asian and minority ethnic background and will prioritise consideration of any worries that you have. 

Vitamin D

All adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, need 10 micrograms of vitamin D each day and should consider taking a supplement containing this amount between September and March. 

Vitamin D regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.

You may be at particular risk of not having enough vitamin D if: 

  • you have dark skin (for example, if you're of African, Caribbean or South Asian origin)
  • you don't often expose your skin to the sun - for example, if you always cover your skin when outside or spend lots of time indoors.

You may need to consider taking a daily supplement of vitamin D all year. Talk to a midwife or doctor if this applies to you. 

If you are out in the sun for any length of time - don't forget your sunscreen!

Smoking in Pregnancy

If you are pregnant, from a minority ethnic background and use any kind of tobacco or nicotine product (including chewing tobacco or shisha) then you may want to consider quitting. There is more information available on our sister site 'Bump the Habit' about how we can help you with this. Click here for more information and links to local services that can support you to quit.

For more evidence about what this risk is and how it might affect you, click here

2019-07-03 (7)

Your baby is now officially an embryo and is about the size of a poppy seed.

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/4-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (4)

Your baby is now the size of a kidney bean and weighs 1g. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/8-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (6)

Welcome to the second trimester!

Your baby is about the size of a small lime and weighs approximately 14g.

You have hopefully seen your midwife for your 'booking in' appointment, if you have not yet seen a midwife please make an appointment quickly, so you can have all of your choices about screening tests explained and offered to you.

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/12-weeks-pregnant/ for more information. You can also link to the 'Pregnancy Journey' area here.  

2019-07-03

Your baby is about the size of an avocado and weighs approximately 100g. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/16-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (2)

Your baby has grown in length and is now the length of a small banana and weighs approximately 300g. Around this time you will be offered your '20 week' scan, also known as the 'anatomy' or 'anomaly' scan.Click here for more information about screening. 

This is a also a good time to talk and sing to your bump as your baby can now hear sounds. This is great way for you and your partner/family to bond with your baby.

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/20-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (8)

Your baby has grown again to the approximate length of an ear of sweetcorn and weighs about 600g. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/24-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (1)

Welcome to the third trimester!

Your baby is now approximately the weight of an aubergine; about 1kg and approximately 37cm in length. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/28-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (3)

Your baby now weighs approximately the same as a coconut; around 1.5kg. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/32-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (5)

Your baby is now around the same size as a lettuce, approximately 47cm long and weighs around 2.6kg. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/36-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (9)

Your baby is now the weight of a small watermelon which is approximately 3.3kg and around 50cm in length. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/40-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.