Folic acid
Take a 400-microgram supplement of folic acid every day while you're trying to get pregnant, and up until week 12 of pregnancy. This is because folic acid reduces the risk of your baby having a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida. A neural tube defect is when the foetus's spinal cord (part of the body's nervous system) doesn't form normally.
You can get folic acid tablets at pharmacies, or talk to your GP about getting a prescription. Don't worry if you get pregnant unexpectedly and weren't taking folic acid supplements. Start taking them as soon as you find out, until you're past the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Stop smoking
Smoking during pregnancy has been linked to a variety of health problems including premature birth, low birth weight, cot death, miscarriage, and breathing problems/wheezing in the first six months of life.
You can find useful information on the dangers of smoking during pregnancy, and advice on how to stop, on the Go Smokefree website.
Quitting can be hard, no matter how much you want to, but support is available. The NHS Pregnancy Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 9169 offers free help, support and advice on stopping smoking when you're pregnant. It’s open from noon to 9pm every day, and a specially trained person will talk to you. They can send you a free information pack, and give you details of your local NHS stop-smoking service.
Smoke from other people’s cigarettes can damage your baby, so ask your partner, friends and family not to smoke near you.
Cut out alcohol
Don't drink alcohol if you're pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Alcohol can be passed to your unborn baby, and too much exposure to alcohol can affect your baby’s development.
If you choose to drink, protect your baby by not drinking more than one or two units of alcohol once or twice a week, and don't get drunk. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) advises women who are pregnant to avoid alcohol in the first three months in particular, because of the increased risk of miscarriage.
More on planning your pregnancy
For lots more information on pregnancy and planning for pregnancy, see the pregnancy care planner.
You can also get information and advice from:
- your doctor,
- a community contraceptive (family planning) clinic,
- a pharmacist,
- fpa (formerly the Family Planning Association): 0845 122 8690,
- Brook (under-25s only): 0808 802 1234,
- bpas (the British Pregnancy Advisory Service): 0845 730 4030, and
- your local young people's services (call 0800 567123).
