Planning your pregnancy

Give up smoking and alcohol: Many studies have shown that smoking and drinking alcohol are connected to problems such as low-birthweight babies, miscarriage and sudden infant death syndrome (cot death).
Blood test: Rubella, also known as German Measles, is a danger to pregnant women as the virus may infect the unborn child and can cause a range of severe birth defects. If you know that you are not immune to rubella, you should, if possible, be vaccinated before you become pregnant and then wait three months before trying to conceive. It may be advisable to visit your GP to have a blood test to check your immunity against rubella even if you have already been vaccinated.
Medication: Always talk to a doctor if you are already taking medication (especially if you suffer from epilepsy) and are planning a pregnancy.
Conception: Superdrug can provide easy to use ovulation testing kits which will inform you of the best time to try for a baby.

Folic Acid

All women want to have fit and healthy babies, which is why taking folic acid is so helpful. Action Research scientists have shown that women who take folic acid before and during pregnancy reduce the risk of their baby having a neural tube defect like spina bifida.
Folic acid is a B vitamin, available both as a supplement and as a fortification in some foods such as breakfast cereal and bread. It also occurs naturally (as folate) in other foods including green beans, brussels sprouts and yeast extract.

So when is the right time to start taking folic acid?

Immediately after stopping with your contraception you are encouraged to take folic acid supplements up until the 12th week of pregnancy. Health professionals recommend the consumption of 400 mcg of folic acid each day. After the 12th week you will not need to continue with this as the baby’s spine will be formed.

What if I’m already pregnant?

If you discover that you are already pregnant, start taking folic acid straight away and continue until the end of the twelfth week of your pregnancy. However, do not worry if you are more than 12 weeks pregnant, as taking folic acid is just a precautionary measure to reduce the risk of neural tube defects – most babies are perfectly healthy when they are born.

Is folic acid harmful?

Research shows that folic acid is not harmful to you or your baby and does not produce any side effects. In fact, it is a vitamin that your body can get rid of naturally if you take more than you need.