Pre-Pregnancy Counselling
 
If you are planning a pregnancy and would welcome some advice, please make an appointment with one of the doctors.

We recommend that you make sure that immune to Rubella - this may require a blood test.
It is also important to make sure that you do not have a haemoglobinopathy such as sickle cell trait or thalassaemia.
These are more common in certain racial groups.

Smoking in pregnancy is not good for either the mother or the unborn baby, and can increase risks during pregnancy.
If you want help to cut down or stop smoking before you get pregnant, come and see our Practice Nurse or Health Care Assistant for advice.
 
If you think you may be at risk of HIV or hepatitis B or C, then this might be a good time to consider screening.

We also recommend that you start taking folic acid, 400mcg, regularly as this is helpful to the baby's nervous system development in early pregnancy and reduces the risk of Spina Bifida or anencephaly.

For further advice, see