The Healthy Start scheme entitles some people to buy food and milk for their children, but also vitamins during pregnancy. If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant, you may be eligible for a Healthy Start card with money on it. You can use this in some UK shops. The benefit is added to the card every 4 weeks and you can use it to buy:
- Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from when your baby is born to when they are 4 years old.
What vitamins do I need during pregnancy?
Eating a healthy, varied diet in pregnancy will help you get most of the vitamins and minerals you need.
But when you’re pregnant, or there’s a chance you might get pregnant, it’s important to also take a folic acid supplement.
It’s recommended you take:
- 400 micrograms of folic acid every day – from before you’re pregnant until you’re 12 weeks pregnant
This is to reduce the risk of problems in the baby’s development in the early weeks of pregnancy.
It is also recommended that you take a daily vitamin D supplement.
Do not take cod liver oil or any supplements containing vitamin A (retinol) when you’re pregnant. Too much vitamin A could harm your baby. Always check the label.
