Planning a pregnancy

You can do some things before pregnancy that will make a difference to your child's future health. 

Taking care of your health before becoming pregnant can: 

• improve wellbeing
• increase the chances of pregnancy
• help ensure a safe pregnancy
• support the birth of a healthy baby 

Top tips for planning a pregnancy

You should:

• start taking folic acid now, as it takes 2 to 3 months to build up to give your baby maximum protection against birth defects like spina bifida
• not stop taking medication for any condition (including mental health) until you’ve talked to a health professional
• quit smoking – find out what support is available in Southwark
• avoid alcohol once you stop taking contraception, as there's no safe level to drink when you're pregnant and you may get pregnant quicker than you think
• aim for a healthy weight by being active and eating 5 portions of fruit and veg daily

The charity Tommy’s has developed a pregnancy planning tool that will tell you what to focus on to ensure your best health during pregnancy. 

The quiz is quick and will provide you with personalised advice.

Tommy's pregnancy planning tool

Pregnancy support and resources