Pregnant and have been offered the COVID-19 vaccination. What are your options?
Read an Information sheet and decision aid from RCOG (EXTERNAL LINK)
Do you want a healthy pregnancy?
Do you smoke?
Struggle with weight?
Are you diabetic?
Have gestational diabetes?
Make an appointment to see your GP/practice nurse to get support. They can help you improve your health now and the health of your future family
To be as healthy as you can be - download the Planning for Pregnancy App www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/planning-a-pregnancy
Your health now affects the health of you and your family in the future
Walsall Primary Care
Preconception Support Webpages
Preparing for pregnancy
1. Stopping Smoking
https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/blogs-and-stories/im-pregnant/pregnancy-news-and-blogs/new-planning-pregnancy-tool-launched-support-safe-and-healthy-pregnancies
It is ideal if you and your partner can stop smoking at least four months before getting pregnant but stopping at any point really helps. For local help to quit smoking, please call One You Walsall | Mytime Active
01922 444 044 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm
For more information about how smoking affects both the mother, father and baby please see
How smoking affects female and male fertility | Tommy's (tommys.org)
https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/smoking-and-pregnancy/risks-secondhand-smoke -
2. Mental Health Support
Pregnancy can be a time of joy and expectation but can bring feelings of anxiety. You do not need to struggle alone. It is important to talk to friends, your midwife, the Health in Pregnancy team, your GP or to the below;
a) Walsall Talking Therapy Service (NHS Talking Therapies)
NHS talking therapies can help you if you’re struggling to cope with feelings of anxiety or depression. Rest assured it’s totally confidential. You can self-refer by calling 0800 953 0995, emailing talkingtherapies.walsall@nhs.net, or complete a form online at https://www.blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk/walsall-talking-therapies
Find out more: www.nhs.uk/talk
b) Walsall Pregnancy Help (WPH)
WPH offer a specialist service relative to pregnancy (Walsall Pregnancy Help) and a general counselling service and educational service (WPH Counselling and Education Services). Their services are totally unbiased and are there to meet the needs of all, Appointments can be arranged either through direct referral from statutory organisations or by telephone contact or email. Telephone: 01922 649000 Email: wphcounselling@btconnect.com
https://www.wphcounselling.org/
For further information about supporting your mental health before, during and after pregnancy, see
https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/mental-wellbeing/mental-health-during-and-after-pregnancy
3. Healthy Lifestyles Services
(includes support for healthy weight, safe alcohol intake, quitting smoking before pregnancy)
One You Walsall is a free healthy lifestyle service dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of all residents across Walsall. Our services are here to help you make great choices in your lifestyle including: physical activity; healthy eating; weight loss; emotional wellbeing; welfare; alcohol reduction; quitting smoking; NHS Health Checks. The team can support everyone – adults, families and workplaces – and are also here to help you to find the right support. For more information:
One You Walsall | Mytime Active
01922 444 044 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm
www.mytimeactive.co.uk/one-you-walsall
https://www.oneyouwalsall.com/
Online resources
https://www.nutrition.org.uk/healthyliving/fuller.html
https://www.nutrition.org.uk/healthyliving/hydration.html
4. Healthy Start Vitamins and Food Vouchers for eligible families
If you’re pregnant or have children under the age of 4 you can get free vouchers or payments every 4 weeks to spend on:
You can also get free Healthy Start vitamins.
Healthy Start Vitamins and Vitamin Supplementation
Eating a healthy, varied diet in pregnancy will help you get most of the vitamins and minerals you need. But when you’re pregnant, or there’s a chance you might get pregnant, it’s important to also take a folic acid supplement. It’s recommended that you take:
- 400 micrograms of folic acid every day – from before you’re pregnant until you’re 12 weeks pregnant
This is to reduce the risk of problems in the baby’s development in the early weeks of pregnancy.
It is also recommended that you take a daily vitamin D supplement.
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/vitamins-supplements-and-nutrition/
Healthy Start vitamins contain both folic acid and Vit D. It is possible to buy these even if you are not eligible to the free vitamins
Your midwife can direct you to the national site to claim your vitamins. Your local pharmacist will be able to provide and advice on vitamins required when planning a pregnancy