Planning your pregnancy

One of the key messages at this stage is about trying to plan when having a baby is right for you through your choice of contraceptive options. Although it's never too late to make changes, it's better to plan ahead and be prepared before you try to conceive.

If you have an underlying health condition it is worth discussing how this may affect your pregnancy or baby with either your GP or hospital specialist.

Public Health England have produced some key messages to consider in order to reduce any risk to your baby. More information is available below but in summary:

1. Choose when to start and grow your family by considering contraception
2. Eat healthily and be physically active so you go into your pregnancy with a healthy weight
3. Take folic acid from before conception until 12 weeks of pregnancy
4. Ensure that you are vaccinated against rubella
5. Stop smoking
6. Find out if you or your partner are a carrier of a genetic disease