MY husband has said he is going to quit smoking for the sake of our children.

What can I tell him about the effects of smoking to give him an added incentive?

Breathing in second-hand smoke is particularly harmful for children. Children who breathe in second-hand smoke have an increased risk of a number of conditions.

Children are at particular risk from the effects of passive smoking because they have an increased risk of developing chest infections during their first five years. Also, they are even more sensitive to smoke than adults because their bodies are young and still developing.

Medical research shows that babies and children exposed to a smoky atmosphere are likely to have increased risk of developing respiratory/chest problems, reduced lung function, asthma, bacterial meningitis and ear, nose and throat problems.

Children who grow up with a parent or family member who smokes are also more likely to start smoking later in life.

I'M under pressure at work and I'm finding it difficult to go to sleep at night. I keep thinking about what needs to be done the next day, then I worry about how tired I am going to be. Would sleeping pills help?

Insomnia is a common symptom of stress. There are various things you can do to help you manage your stress. Eating healthily, exercising and making sure you wind down before going to bed can all help. Avoid caffeine and alcoholic drinks in the evening as these can interfere with your sleep patterns. If you have work worries it is important to talk openly about your feelings with those who care about you. It would also be worth considering a discussion with your line manager at work if you are finding unreasonable demands being placed upon you.

If you prefer to speak to someone you don't know, then call Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 to talk in confidence with trained advisors. Lines are open 24 hours at weekends (6pm Friday to 6 am Monday) and from 6pm to 2 am Monday to Thursday. Most people feel better once they have talked about their problems, and the advisors on the end of the phone are there to help. If you are still having problems sleeping then make an appointment to discuss this with your GP.

Sleeping pills are rarely the answer as their effects wear off after a short time resulting in possible depenedence and need for increasing doses to be effective. It is best to try and address the underlying cause for the lack of sleep and remedy that as outline d with the approaches above. For some advice and tips on managing stress, visit http://www.nhsinform.co.uk/mentalhealth/wellbeing/stress-management/

WHAT is Pre-eclampsia?

Pre-eclampsia is a condition that affects some pregnant women usually during the second half of pregnancy (from around 20 weeks) or immediately after delivery of their baby.

Women with pre-eclampsia have a range of problems including high blood pressure, fluid retention and protein in the urine (proteinuria).Thye may also have headaches If it's not treated, it can lead to serious complications.

In the unborn baby, pre-eclampsia can cause growth problems.

Although the exact cause of pre-eclampsia is not known, it is thought to occur when there is a problem with the placenta (the organ that links the baby's blood supply to the mother's).

Pregnant women with pre-eclampsia may not realise they have it. Pre-eclampsia is usually diagnosed during routine antenatal appointments.

Mild pre-eclampsia can be monitored with blood pressure and urine tests at regular antenatal appointments and usually disappears soon after the birth. Severe pre-eclampsia may need to be monitored in hospital.

Mild pre-eclampsia affects up to 10% of first-time pregnancies. More severe pre-eclampsia affects 1-2% of pregnancies. If you have pre-eclampsia during your first pregnancy, you will be more likely to have it again in subsequent pregnancies.