Vaccinations & Vitamins

Vitamins and Supplements

Eating a healthy, varied diet will help you get most of the vitamins and minerals you need during pregnancy. But you may need to take some supplements as well.

It is recommended that you take 400 micrograms of folic acid each day. You take this while you are trying for a baby and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The recommended dose increases to 5mg each day if you have a body mass index of 30 and/or have pre-existing type 1 or 2 diabetes.

10 micrograms of vitamin D is also recommended each day throughout your pregnancy and after your baby is born, if you are breastfeeding. This is particularly important if you have darker skin or spend limited time uncovered, outdoors.

If you choose to take multivitamins, then make sure they are specifically for pregnancy, as they will include everything you need for yourself and your baby. Standard multivitamins may contain a level of Vitamin A which is not safe in pregnancy.

Vaccines

Both the Covid-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine are safe to have in pregnancy; both vaccines are free.

The Covid-19 and flu vaccines will protect you and your baby. You’re at higher risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19 if you’re pregnant. There is also evidence that pregnant women have a higher chance of developing complications if they get flu.

You will also be offered a whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. Getting vaccinated while you're pregnant is highly effective in protecting your baby from developing whooping cough in the first few weeks of their life.