We provide confidential advice to women of all ages groups and offer a full family planning service, including coil fitting. Follow the link to find out about different methods of contraception.

Preparing for pregnancy

Diet Advice
There are certain foods to avoid during pregnancy and when you are trying to conceive.

        Raw or partly cooked eggs

        Mould-ripened soft cheeses like brie, and blue veined cheeses like stilton

        Pate

        Liver - too much vitamin A can harm the baby

        Shark, swordfish and mantis

        Limited amount of tuna

Extra Iron
Pregnant women can become low in Iron, so when you're trying to get pregnant it’s a good idea to choose plenty of iron-rich foods to build up your iron stores. Try to have some food or drink containing Vitamin C, such as a glass of fruit juice, at the same time as an iron-rich meal because this will help your body to absorb the iron.

Good sources of iron

        Red meat

        Pulses

        Bread

        Green vegetables

        Fortified breakfast cereal

Also, you are advised not to eat large amounts of peanuts, to reduce the chance of the baby developing a peanut allergy. You shouldn’t eat more than two cans of tuna (or equivalent) a week either.  Otherwise you should eat a normal healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. Cook all meat and poultry thoroughly and wash fruits and vegetables.

Folic Acid
This is a vitamin which is very important for the development of the baby’s spinal cord and brain. You should take a 400mg tablet every day from when you start trying for a baby and carry on until you are 12 weeks pregnant. You can get these tablets from any chemist.

Folic acid has been shown to reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. If you want to get your folic acid from a multi-vitamin tablet, make sure it contains the right amount. Remember that if you take more than one multi-vitamin tablet, you could overdose on the other vitamins they contain.  If you have already had a pregnancy affected by a neutral tube defect, consult your GP for advice.

Smoking
This is an excellent time to stop smoking. If you stop, you are more likely to have a healthier pregnancy and healthy baby. The baby is less likely to be born too early or underweight. Children whose parents smoke are more likely to have chest problems. You can get help to stop smoking from the practice (more info)

Alcohol
Heavy drinking can harm the baby’s development. You are advised to stick to one or two units once or twice a week.

Rubella
If you catch Rubella (or German Measles) while pregnant it can cause various problems for the baby. Most women have been vaccinated against it as children - a blood test can tell if you are immune. Ask to have the blood test before you conceive if possible, but if not it will be done early on in your pregnancy. If you’re not immune you should be vaccinated before pregnancy.

Drugs
Using illegal drugs can harm your baby. Tell your doctor or midwife and they can refer you for help coming off the drugs.

Inherited Conditions
If you or your partner, or a relative, has any condition which you inherited, or aren’t sure about (examples include Cystic Fibrosis, Haemophilia, Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassaemia) talk to your doctor.

Your General Health
If you have an existing medical problem such as diabetes or epilepsy, or take regular medication, talk to your doctor - ideally before you are pregnant or as soon as you find out.

Where can I get more information?
If you would like more information on planning a pregnancy, speak to your GP, midwife or Health visitor.
You can find out more about food at www.food.gov.uk

 

CERVICAL SMEARS

These are done by the practice nurses. We suggest a repeat smear every three years, from the age of 25 to 49 and a repeat every 5 years from age 50 to 65. If you feel an appointment is overdue, please check with reception. (more info)