Planning Pregnancy

If you are considering pregnancy, then it is worthwhile having a chat with your GP. The healthier you are going into the pregnancy, the better you will cope with the pregnancy and your baby will be healthier too. Topics to consider are keeping a healthy weight, stopping smoking if you are a smoker, reducing / stopping alcohol, making sure routine checks like cervical screening and vaccinations are in date, reviewing and optimising any chronic medical conditions you may have and looking at any medications that you may be taking that might need adjustment. It is recommended that all pregnant women take folic acid, ideally from before conception so this is something else to consider when planning a pregnancy. Some women require folic acid at a higher dose (for example if you are diabetic, taking anti-epilepsy medication or if there is a history or family history of neural tube defects), so do discuss this with your GP if you think this applies to you. 

Once you are pregnant, you will need to see a GP for a check-up and for a referral to be made to the appropriate type of antenatal care for you. Straight-forward pregnancies can often be looked after by the midwifery service, but in some situations, you may need to see an obstetrician or have ongoing support from your doctor. We are here to help you through all stages of your pregnancy!

Planning your pregnancy - NHS (www.nhs.uk)