People getting ready for pregnancy should be encouraged to do the following.
Daily vitamins:
- take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day
- take 10 micrograms of vitamins D each day
Healthy lifestyle choices:
- stop smoking
- eat a healthy balanced diet of 5 or more portions of fruit or vegetables daily
- stop drinking alcohol
- stay active, encourage at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week
- eat well and stay active to support a healthy weight
- avoid illegal substances
- cut down on caffeine - less than 200mg a day if you're pregnant which is about 2 cups of instant coffee
There are a few simple health checks that can help someone prepare for a healthy pregnancy. You can gently encourage people to:
- check when their last cervical screening was, if they're eligible for one
- find out if they've had the MMR vaccine, which helps protect against rubella
- talk to their GP, or another health professional before starting or stopping any medication
- consider getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) testing is free, quick, and confidential
Small, practical changes can help someone improve their health now and support a healthier pregnancy in the future.