Why plan pregnancy?

Getting healthy

Once you start trying for a baby (stopped contraception) you won't know you're pregnant for the first few weeks. So making healthy lifestyle changes sooner rather than later will give you peace of mind when you get a positive pregnancy test.

Things you can do to give your baby a good start.

• Start taking Folic Acid
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet and try to get closer to a healthy weight if you are overweight or under weight
• Be active
• Know which medicines you can take. Not all medicines are safe to take when you're pregnant, whether they're on prescription or medicines you can buy in a pharmacy or shop. If you take prescribed medicine and you're planning to get pregnant, talk to your doctor. Do not stop taking your medicine without talking to your doctor.
• Make sure you are up to date with your vaccinations, such as Flu and Whooping Cough.  Some infections, such as rubella (german measles), can harm your baby if you catch them in pregnancy. Most people in the UK are immune to rubella thanks to the uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination. If you have not had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine or you're not sure if you have, ask your GP practice to check your vaccination history. If you have not had both doses or there's no record available, you can have the vaccinations at your GP practice.

Things to stop doing.

• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol or taking other drugs

 For more information and tips on preparing for pregnancy visit:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/planning-pregnancy/

https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/planning-pregnancy/planning-for-pregnancy-tool

https://www.sexualhealthscotland.co.uk/pregnancy/getting-pregnant/why-plan-pregnancy