Planning to Become Pregnant?
Things you should do

• Take folic acid tablets from before you become pregnant until 12 weeks of pregnancy. This helps to prevent spinal cord problems developing in the baby.
• The dose is usually 400 micrograms (0.4mg) a day. You can buy this from pharmacies.
• The dose is higher and needs a prescription (5mg daily) if you have an increased risk of having a child with a spinal cord problem. That is if:
• You had a previously affected pregnancy. OR
• Your partner or a close relative have a spinal cord defect. OR
• You have coeliac disease, sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia, or diabetes. OR
• You take medication for epilepsy.
• Have a blood test to check if you are immune against rubella, and to screen for hepatitis B, syphilis, and HIV.
• Eat a healthy diet. Include foods rich in iron, calcium and folic acid.
• Wash your hands after handling raw meat, or handling cats and kittens. To avoid certain germs which can be harmful to a developing baby.
• Wear gloves when you are gardening. Again, to avoid certain germs.

Things you should avoid

• Too much vitamin A. Don't eat liver, liver or take cod liver oil or vitamin A tablets.
• Listeriosis. Don't eat undercooked meats and eggs, soft cheeses such as brie or camembert, shellfish, raw fish, or unpasteurised milk including goat's milk.
• Fish which may contain a lot of mercury. Don't eat shark, marlin, and swordfish. Also, limit tuna to no more than the equivalent of six tuna sandwiches per week.
• Sheep, lambs, cat faeces, cat litters which may carry certain infections.
• Peanuts. If you have a personal or family history of eczema, hay fever, or asthma.

Things you should stop or cut down

• Caffeine - in tea, coffee, cola, etc. Have no more than 300mg per day. This is in about three cups of brewed coffee, or four cups of instant coffee, or six cups of tea.
• Alcohol - you are strongly advised not to drink at all.
• Smoking - you are strongly advised to stop completely.

Other things to consider

• Immunization against hepatitis B if you are at increased risk of getting this infection, and against chickenpox if you are a healthcare worker and have not had chickenpox.
• Your medication - including herbal and 'over the counter' medicines. Is it safe to take when you are pregnant?
• Your work environment. Do you work with chemicals, etc, which may be harmful?
• Medical conditions. For example, if you have diabetes, epilepsy, or other medical conditions you may need special advice before becoming pregnant.