Just found out you’re pregnant? Congratulations!
Once you have found that you are pregnant, you need to decide which hospital you would like your pregnancy, birth and postnatal care with. This is your choice. Please take some time to look at our website and understand a little more about our maternity services at SASH to decide whether this is the right place for you and your family to be supported on your maternity journey.
If you choose to have your baby with SASH Maternity, complete our self referral form.
Thank you for choosing your care with us and we look forward to meeting you!
Read our early pregnancy advice.
Getting ready for parenthood
Becoming a new parent is life-changing. It can also be in varying measures exhilarating, exhausting, and extremely challenging. South East Delivery and Networks #ReadyforParenthood campaign aims to support new parents and carers.
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Supplements and Vitamins in pregnancy
Vitamins are needed for growth and development. Apart from vitamin D, which we get from sunlight, most vitamins come from our diet. In the UK, it is quite common for people to be low in vitamin D and folic acid. These vitamins are important in pregnancy and you can boost your levels by taking a vitamin supplement. Supplements of other vitamins are not usually routinely advised and Vitamin A may actually be harmful in pregnancy.
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Folic Acid Supplements are recommended for all pregnant people planning a pregnancy. Folic acid reduces the chance of your baby having a neural tube defect, such as Spina Bifida. We recommend taking a 400 microgram supplement of folic acid every day before becoming pregnancy and every day afterwards until you are 12 weeks pregnant. You can buy Folic Acid at your local pharmacy. If your BMI is over 30 or if you have additional risk factors such as: diabetes, family history of neural tube defects, epilepsy, sickle cell, or are taking anti retroviral medications, you will require a higher dose of folic acid 5mg. This higher dose will need to be prescribed by your GP or consultant.
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Vitamin D We recommend that all women take at least a 10mcg Vitamin D supplement daily in the winter months of September to March. This is to reduce the risk of bone density complications for both you and your baby. If you are Black, Asian, from a Minority Ethnic group, aged over 35 years or with a BMI higher than 30, or cover your skin when outside, or spend lots of time indoors, we would recommend you take a daily dose. It may even be recommended that you take a higher dose of 25mcg. Do not take more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D a day as it could be harmful. Healthy eating and vitamin supplements in pregnancy Vitamins, minerals and supplements in pregnancy - NHS.
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Vegetarian, vegan and special diets in pregnancy, A varied and balanced vegetarian diet should provide enough nutrients for you and your baby during pregnancy but you might find it more difficult to get enough iron and vitamin B12. Talk to a midwife or doctor about how to make sure you're getting enough of these important nutrients. If you're vegan or you follow a restricted diet because of a food intolerance (for example, a gluten-free diet for coeliac disease) or for religious reasons, talk to a midwife or GP. Ask to be referred to a dietitian for advice on how to make sure you're getting all the nutrients you need for you and your baby. Vegetarian and vegan diets during pregnancy
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Vitamin C, Although routine supplements of vitamin C are not specifically recommended when you are pregnant, this vitamin helps iron to be absorbed. This may be of benefit because while you are pregnant you are at risk of becoming anaemic.
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Vitamin A, Too much vitamin A can harm the development of your baby’s nervous system. During pregnancy, avoid any supplements that contain more than 700 micrograms (µg) of vitamin A and don’t eat foods such as liver, liver products (pâté) or fish liver oils that may contain this vitamin in high levels.
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Healthy Start vitamins, The Healthy Start scheme may be able to help you buy food and milk if you're pregnant or have a child under 4 years old and receive certain benefits, or you’re pregnant and under 18. If you're eligible, you'll be sent a Healthy Start card which you can use to buy certain types of milk, infant formula, fruit and vegetables. You can also use your card to get free vitamins. If you're not eligible for the Healthy Start scheme, some NHS organisations still offer the vitamins for free, or sell them. Ask a midwife about what's available in your area.
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For more information please speak to your midwife or GP, alternatively click on the following links.