Preparing for pregnancy

Stay in shape

Being in good shape can help you get pregnant. The body works more efficiently when you are fit and having a toned body usually makes you feel more confident about yourself.

Pregnancy can put a lot of strain on the body and is tiring. If you have the correct balance of muscular strength and flexibility, you can cope more easily with its demands.

You should consider the following while trying to get pregnant:

• full immunization status
• vitamin D and folic acid
• reducing alcohol consumption
• giving up smoking
• contraception, family spacing and sexual health

The Tommy's website gives you simple steps on how to make sure that your body is in the best condition for getting pregnant. 

Making sure you get the right vitamins and minerals

Eating a healthy, varied diet will help you get most of the vitamins and minerals you need, but when you are pregnant you will also need to take a folic acid supplement. You'll need 400 micrograms every day until the end of your first trimester (12 weeks). 

The Department of Health also advises you consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement, particularly in the winter months (from October to the end of March) when we don't get vitamin D from sunlight.

It can be difficult to get the recommended amount of folic acid and vitamin D from food alone.

You can also ask your doctor, midwife or pharmacist about supplements. Your doctor may be able to prescribe them for you.

• Find out more about vitamins and supplements in pregnancy on the Start4Life (vitamins and supplements) website.
• If you're on income-related benefits, or you are under 18, you can get free vitamins while you're pregnant from the Healthy Start Scheme.