Your developing baby is protected by the amniotic fluid in your uterus, as well as by the strong muscles of the uterus itself. Sexual activity won't affect your baby, as long as you don't have complications such as preterm labor or placenta problems. However, pregnancy can cause changes in your level of comfort and sexual desire

Can sex during pregnancy cause a miscarriage?
Having sex during pregnancy won't provoke a miscarriage. Most miscarriages occur because the fetus isn't developing normally.

What are the best sexual positions during pregnancy?
As long as you're comfortable, most sexual positions are OK during pregnancy. Oral sex is also safe during pregnancy.

Self care (What can I do?)

• Moisturise your skin as often as possible, ideally at least 2-3 times each day. The most greasy, non-perfumed moisturiser tolerated is the best. This is the most important part of skin care. Smooth the moisturiser on in the direction of hair growth. Do not put your fingers back and forth into the pot of moisturiser, as it may become contaminated and be a source of infection. It is best to remove an adequate amount to cover the skin with a spoon or spatula and put this on a saucer or piece of kitchen roll.
• Wash with a moisturiser instead of soap (known as a soap substitute), and avoid soap, bubble baths, shower gels and detergents.
• Treat eczema early - the more severe it becomes, the more difficult it is to control.

What does hand dermatitis look like?

In hand dermatitis, the skin is inflamed, red and swollen, with a damaged dried-out or scaly surface which makes it look flaky. There may be cracked areas that bleed and ooze. Sometimes small water blisters can be seen on the palms or sides of the fingers. Different parts of the hand can be affected such as the finger webs, fleshy fingertips or centre of the palms.

There are several different patterns of hand dermatitis, but these do not usually tell us its cause and the pattern can change over time in one person. Hand dermatitis may get infected with bacteria called Staphylococcus or Streptococcus. This causes more redness, soreness, crusting, oozing and spots or pimples.

What causes acne?

Our sebaceous (oil-producing) glands are affected by our hormones. In people who have acne, the glands are particularly sensitive, even to normal blood levels of these hormones. This causes the glands to produce too much oil. At the same time, the lining of the pores (the small holes in the skin’s surface) becomes thickened and dead skin cells are not shed properly. A mixture of the oil (sebum) and dead skin cells builds up and plugs the pores producing blackheads and whiteheads. The plug of dead skin turns black from exposure to air and not due to dirt. The acne bacteria (now known as Cutibacterium acnes) live on everyone’s skin, usually causing no problems. In those with acne, the build-up of oil creates an ideal environment for the bacteria to multiply. This is accompanied by inflammation which leads to the formation of red, swollen or pus-filled spots.

one of the many bacteria that normally live in our bodies and which usually cause no harm.

If you carry GBS, most of the time your baby will be born safely and will not develop an infection. However, it can rarely cause serious infection such as sepsis, pneumonia or meningitis.

Most early-onset GBS infections are preventable.
If GBS is found in your urine, vagina or rectum (bowel) during your current pregnancy, or if you have previously had a baby affected by GBS infection, you should be offered antibiotics in labour to reduce the small risk of this infection to your baby.
The risk of your baby becoming unwell with GBS infection is increased if your baby is born preterm, if you have a temperature while you are in labour, or if your waters break before you go into labour.
If your newborn baby develops signs of GBS infection, they should be treated with antibiotics straight away.

• A cervical stitch may help to keep your cervix closed and may reduce the risk of you giving birth early.
• You may be offered a cervical stitch if you are at risk of giving birth early.
• A cervical stitch is usually put in between 12 and 24 weeks of pregnancy and then removed at 36–37 weeks unless you go into labour before this.

There are many possible causes for giving birth early. One possible cause is because your cervix shortens and opens too soon. A cervical stitch may help to prevent this. You should be referred to a specialist early in your pregnancy if:

• you have had a miscarriage after 16 weeks of pregnancy
• you have had a previous birth before 34 weeks of pregnancy
• your waters broke before 37 weeks in a previous pregnancy
• you have had certain types of treatment to your cervix (for example, cone biopsy for treatment of an abnormal smear) Your healthcare team may arrange for you to have transvaginal ultrasound scans to measure your cervix. If it is found to be short (less than 25mm long).