Advice or information about local sources of help should be available. Routine information Women should receive advice and support on healthy lifestyles, including diet and exercise, smoking and substance misuse and safety in the home and workplace. Women should be educated about the correct use of seat belts during pregnancy. Diagrams and further information are contained in Chapters 13 and 15 . All women should be made aware of the symptoms associated with pre-eclampsia, their importance and the need to obtain urgent professional advice.
Epilepsy is a potentially fatal disease.
GPs and midwives should check with relatives that they know what to do in the case of a fit and should provide instruction, particularly on the need to place the patient in the recovery position once the fit is over. Pregnant women who are at risk of fits should be advised not to bathe alone, or to use a shower instead. Pulmonary embolism Even in the first trimester, pregnancy carries an increased risk of thrombosis. Additional risk factors such as bed rest may indicate thromboprophylaxis, as should a family history or known thrombophilia. Specialist advice should be sought if a thrombophilia screen is positive.