New Pregnancy Advice

As you navigate the early stages of your pregnancy, it's important to ensure you recieve the best possible care.

Here is some information to help support your health and your baby's development.

Folic Acid

It is recommended that alll pregnant women take a daily folic acid supplement (400 micrograms) until the 12th week of pregnancy.

Some women may new to take a higher dose of folic acid (5mg daily) if they have one of the following risk factors. Please reach out to reception if any of the below apply to you:

  • Previous pregnancy affected by neural tube defects
  • Diabetes
  • Malabsorption syndrome/previous bowel resection
  • Epilepsy and taking anti-epileptic medication
  • Family history of neural tube defects
  • Thalassemia trait
  • Sickle cell trait

Vitamin D

  • All pregnant women should take a daily vitamin D supplement (1000 units) to support your baby's growth and development

Smoking Cessation

Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of complications such as premature birth, low birth weight, and still birth

For support and resources to help you quit smoking, please visit the Oxfordshire Smoking Cessation Services

Support for All Choices

If you are uncertain about continuing your pregnancy, support and guidance are available:

BPAS (British Pregnancy Advisory Service)

You can self-refer and get an appointment by calling visiting BPAS for confidential advice and support.

Visit the BPAS website

Further Resources

For more detailed and personalized information, you can visit the following resources:

Local Support

Florence Park Midwives

The Florence Park Midwives are your local Community Midwifery team. Consisting of midwives and maternity support workers, they cover Cowley, East Oxford, Wood Farm, The Leys and South Oxford. The midwives are currently offering clinics at Flo’s, and several clinics you may have previously received at GP practices are now happening at Flo’s. Please call 01865 572288/9 to find out about your appointments and gain further advice.

Midwives - Flo's | The Place in The Park

National Support

The National Childbirth Trust

Their mission is to support parents through the first 1,000 days, to have the best possible experience of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.

Visit the The National Childbirth Trust website

ICON

Baby crying is normal, you can cope. Please follow the ICON guidance for coping with crying.

Visit the ICON website

The Lullaby Trust

The Lullaby Trust raises awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies and offers emotional support for bereaved families.

Visit the The Lullaby Trust website

TAMBA (Twins and Multiple Births Association)

Tamba is a UK based charity helping people around the world. They were set up by parents of multiples and interested professionals in 1978.

Visit the TAMBA website

Baby Centre

BabyCentre® reaches more than 45 million mums globally each month in nine different languages, including eight in 10 new and expecting mums online in the UK.

Visit the Baby Centre website