The Southern Health and Social Care Trust now offers the facility for patients to refer themselves into the antenatal service when newly pregnant. This can save you a trip to the GP, and minimise delay in arranging your first appointment.
Click here to access the maternity services page; though the links you will find a video giving an overview of services and some other useful information. The page contains a link to the self-referral form (also accessible here), which you can complete with your details. Or if you are having issues, email [email protected].
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Supplements in pregnancy
Remember that all pregnant women should take folic acid (also known as folate) supplements, at a dose of 400mcg daily, until they are 12 weeks pregnant. It’s also recommended pregnant and breastfeeding women take a daily Vitamin D supplement (10 micrograms) between September and March.
These supplements are commonly available in supermarkets and pharmacies, often labelled for pregnancy. However please note that some need to take a higher dose of folic acid (5000 micrograms daily, which is the same as 5 milligrams) and will need a prescription from their GP. Contact us for a prescription of folic acid 5 milligrams IF:
Mother or the baby’s biological father have a neural tube defect/spina bifida
Mother has previously had a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect.
Mother or the baby’s biological father have a family history of neural tube defects/spina bifida.
Mother has diabetes.
Mother is taking anti-epilepsy medicine.
Mother has a BMI ≥ 30 (the most common reason. Calculate your body mass index (BMI) here
Mother is taking sulfasalazine or has malabsorption following small bowel resection
Mother has sickle cell disease, thalassaemia, or thalassaemia trait