Pregnancy

If you have a positive pregnancy test please refer yourself to Dorset’s maternity services via the Maternity Matters link above, so that they can start supporting you.

If you have any existing health problems, we recommend contacting the GP surgery when you find out that you’re pregnant, so that the GP can review any medication you’re taking and see if you need any additional care.

You should take folic acid tablets to reduce the risk of having a baby born with a spinal cord problem such as spina bifida. Ideally, do this from when you start planning a pregnancy, and continue taking them until the end of the 12th week of pregnancy – even if you are healthy and have a good diet.

You can buy folic acid tablets from pharmacies. Also, in the UK, the NHS Healthy Start scheme provides vitamin supplements that contain folic acid. These are free to many women who are on certain benefits.

• For most women, the dose is 400 micrograms (0.4 mg) a day.
• If you have an increased risk of having a child with a spinal cord problem then the dose is 5 mg a day. You need a prescription for this higher dose – that is, if:
  • You have had a previously affected pregnancy.
  • You or your partner have (or have a family with) a spinal cord defect
  • You are taking medication for epilepsy.
  • You have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more.
  • You have coeliac disease, diabetes, sickle cell anaemia or thalassaemia.

Vitamin D is needed for growth and supplements are recommended for all pregnant women, breastfeeding women and breastfed babies. The dose if you are pregnant or breastfeeding is 400 units (10 micrograms) daily. Some experts recommend that women who get little or no sunshine on their skin need a higher dose, such as 800 units (20 micrograms) daily. This is because most of the vitamin D that we get is made in the skin with the help of sunlight. Vitamin D is available over the counter in pharmacies/shops. Again some women on certain benefits can get vitamin D supplements free on the Healthy Start scheme.