Before pregnancy

• Most women with health conditions can have a healthy pregnancy
• Talk to your doctor before you try to get pregnant to see how they can help you to prepare for pregnancy
• They will explain how your condition can affect pregnancy. And how pregnancy can affect your condition
• You can also ask questions
• You are more likely to get pregnant if your health condition is well controlled
• A stable health condition makes it more likely that you and your baby have a healthy pregnancy

For more information visit our page on specific health conditions

• Talk to your doctor about your medication
• For most medications the safest thing is to carry on. You and your baby are more likely to have a healthy pregnancy if you are well
• Some medications need to be changed but do not stop medication without talking to your doctor or nurse first
• Sometimes additional vitamins or medicines are recommended

For more information on specific medications visit: Medicines in Pregnancy

• Regular exercise like going for a walk or swimming helps to prepare your body for pregnancy
• Getting fit may help you to get pregnant
• Staying active reduces your risk of some pregnancy complications
• Exercising is good for your mental health

For more information visit: Active Pregnancy Foundation

• Try to eat five or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day
• Eat fresh food and food with protein and fibre
• Eating healthily will help your baby grow and can protect it from some health conditions later in life
• Healthy eating even before pregnancy helps baby’s brain development

For more information visit:

• Trying for a baby – Nutrition.org.uk   
• Eatwell Guide – Public Health England
• Eating well for healthy pregnancy – First Steps Nutrition Trust

• You are more likely to get pregnant if you are a healthy weight
• A healthy weight helps to avoid many pregnancy complications for you and your baby
• A healthy weight helps your baby to grow and develop when you are pregnant and beyond

For more information visit:

• Trying for a baby – Nutrition.org.uk
• Eating well for healthy pregnancy – First Steps Nutrition Trust

• Folic acid is a vitamin that can help to prevent some birth defects
• It is available from pharmacies and some supermarkets
• Take it if you are trying to get pregnant
• If you have diabetes, epilepsy, are obese, or if you take certain medications you should take a higher dose that needs to be prescribed by your doctor

For more information visit: NHS.uk

• Vitamin D is in some foods but is also a tablet
• Our bodies create vitamin D from being in direct sunlight
• Take Vitamin D tablets throughout pregnancy to keep bones and muscles healthy
• This is particularly important if you have dark skin, are indoors most of the day, or wear clothes that cover up most of your skin

For more information visit: NHS.uk

• Pregnant women are more likely to get infections
• If you catch flu or Covid while pregnant you are more likely to become seriously ill
• The flu and Covid jab help to protect you and your baby from serious illness
• There are no concerns about the safety of the flu or Covid jabs in pregnancy – they are recommended

For more information visit: 

• COVID-19 vaccines, pregnancy and breastfeeding – RCOG
• COVID-19 vaccination: women who are pregnant or breastfeeding – GOV.uk
• COVID-19 vaccination infographics – British Society of Immunology

• It is best not to drink alcohol while trying to get pregnant, and during pregnancy
• Try drinking fruit juice or water instead of alcohol
• You will feel healthier and sleep better if you don’t drink alcohol
• Avoiding alcohol will protect your baby

For more information visit: NHS.uk 

• It is best not to smoke while trying to get pregnant, and during pregnancy
• Breathing in someone else’s smoke is also a risk to your baby
• Help is available from your pharmacist, GP or midwife to stop smoking
• Avoiding smoking will protect your baby

For more information visit: NHS.uk