Pregnancy is exciting, but it can also feel confusing. The good news is that a few simple habits make a real difference for you and your baby. Here are the essentials.
Folic acid: the first step
The UK's National Health Service (NHS) recommends taking 400 micrograms of folic acid every day while trying to conceive (ideally from 3 months before) and through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It lowers the chance of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. If certain risk factors apply, a doctor may prescribe a higher 5 mg dose, so talk to your healthcare provider.
Vitamin D and vitamin A
- The NHS advises 10 micrograms of vitamin D daily from early October to late March; you may need it all year if you get little sun or have darker skin.
- Avoid cod liver oil and vitamin A supplements in pregnancy, because too much vitamin A can harm a baby's development. Limit liver and liver products too.
Warning signs that need urgent care
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says to take these signs seriously during pregnancy and for up to a year after…