Preconceptual and Healthy Pregnancy Advice

• Take folic acid tablets from before you become pregnant until 12 weeks of pregnancy. This helps to prevent spinal cord problems developing in the baby.
• For most women the dose is 400 micrograms (0.4 mg) a day. You can buy this dose of folic acid tablets from pharmacies. The dose is higher and needs a prescription (5 mg daily) if you have an increased risk of having a child with a spinal cord problem. That is: if you had a previously affected pregnancy; OR if your partner or a first-degree relative have a spinal cord defect; OR if you have coeliac disease (your intake of folate may be affected by this condition); OR if you take medication for epilepsy; OR if you have sickle cell or thalassaemia.
• Check if you are immune against rubella. See your practice nurse for a blood test if you are unsure. Get immunised if you are not immune.
• Eat a healthy diet. Include foods rich in iron, calcium and folic acid.
  Wash your hands after handling raw meat, or handling cats and kittens. To avoid certain germs which can be harmful to a developing baby. Wear gloves when you are gardening. Again, to avoid certain germs.

• Too much vitamin A. Don't eat liver, liver pâté, or take cod liver oil or vitamin A tablets.
• Listeriosis. Don't eat undercooked meats and eggs, soft cheeses such as brie or camembert, pâtés, shellfish, raw fish, or unpasteurised milk including goat's milk.
• Fish which may contain a lot of mercury. Don't eat shark, merlin, swordfish. Also, limit the amount of tuna to no more than the equivalent of six tuna sandwiches per week.
• Sheep, lambs, cat faeces, cat litters which may carry certain infections.
• Peanuts - if you have a personal or family history of eczema, hay fever, or asthma.

• Caffeine - in tea, coffee, cola, etc. Have no more than 300 mg per day. This is in about three cups of brewed coffee, or four cups of instant coffee, or six cups of tea.
• Alcohol - have no more than 1-2 drinks, once or twice a week.
  Smoking - you are strongly advised to stop completely.
• Street drugs - you are strongly advised to stop completely.

• Your medication - including herbal and 'over the counter' medicines. Is it safe to take when you are pregnant?
• Your work environment. Do you work with chemicals, etc, which may be harmful?
• Medical conditions. For example, if you have diabetes, epilepsy, or other medical conditions you may need special advice before becoming pregnant. Also, if certain conditions run in your family, you may benefit from genetic counselling.

Try to eat a variety of the following: breads, cereals, rice, fruit, vegetables, milk and dairy foods, meat, fish, egg and pulses.

Soft cheeses, pâté, soft boiled eggs, liver and liver based foods, undercooked meat.

Folic acid can help reduce the risk of spina bifida. Take a supplement of at least 400 micrograms daily. Also eat more foods rich in folic acid such as broccoli, spinach, avocado, brussel sprouts, granary bread and marmite.

Smoking during pregnancy is harmful to your baby and carries a higher risk of premature birth. Also avoid passive smoking.

See our quite smoking page for advice

Limit your alcohol intake to 1 or 2 units per week. (1 unit = 1 small glass or wine, or ½ pint of lager or 1 measure of spirit or liqueur).

See our alcohol advice page

Speak to your midwife or doctor for advice.

Rest whenever you are able to and during the day when possible especially in the later months of your pregnancy.

Walking, swimming and yoga are all beneficial. Avoid strenuous exercise.

A dangerous parasitic infection. Wear gloves when gardening. Avoid handling cat litter. Wash fruit and vegetables and cook meat thoroughly.

Antenatal appointments are important for regular health check ups throughout your pregnancy. Parentcraft classes are a good opportunity for mums-to-be and their partners to learn about pregnancy, labour, birth, relaxation exercises and baby-care.