01/07/2025
Planning to start a family is a really exciting time, but did you know there are some things you can do before you even become pregnant to help your baby, and your pregnancy, be as healthy as possible?
😊Aim for a healthy weight - being overweight can raise the risk of some problems in pregnancy. Talk to your GP if you are concerned you might be overweight and for advice on how to safely lose weight.
🚭Stop smoking: if you smoke, this makes it harder to get pregnant and increases your risk of problems in pregnancy, including miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth. For advice on quitting, follow this link https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/.
💊Check medication. Some medicines are not recommended when trying for a baby or in pregnancy - but these can be changed. If you're planning to get pregnant, speak to your GP about your prescribed medicines. But never stop taking prescribed medicine without talking to your doctor first.
✅Take folic acid: this reduces the risk of neural tube defects (where a baby's spinal cord does not form correctly). You can take folic acid as soon as you start trying for a baby.
🍹Avoid alcohol: alcohol reduces your chance of becoming pregnant, and can increase your risk of complications when you are pregnant. Since you will not know immediately when you become pregnant, it is best to cut it out.
For more information, follow the links below.
https://www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/pregnancy-early-days/having-a-baby/trying-for-a-baby/
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/planning-your-pregnancy/