Vitamins
Folic acid
400 micrograms of folic acid should be taken by women whilst trying to conceive and up to 12 weeks of pregnancy
The does of folic acid should be increased to 5 micrograms if:
- a woman has had a previous pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect
- a woman or their partner have a family history of neural tube defects
- a woman has diabetes
- a woman has a BMI above 30
Vitamin D
- 10 micrograms of Vitamin D per day, throughout the year, for everyone in the general population aged four years and older
- 10 micrograms of Vitamin D per day for pregnant and lactating women and population groups at increased risk of Vitamin D deficiency
- 'safe intake' of 8.5 to 10 micrograms per day for all infants from birth to one years old
- 'safe intake' of 10 micrograms per day for children aged one to four years old
Safe intake refers to intake from all dietary sources; natural food sources, fortified foods and supplements.
Women taking anti-epileptic medication should consult their GP for advice, as they may need a higher dose of folic acid.
Healthy Start Vitamins and Card
If you are pregnant or have a child under the age of four you may qualify for Healthy Start (opens new window) and Healthy Start vitamins (opens new window) if you are on benefits or under 18.
Healthy Start (opens new window) has changed to a digital scheme (opens new window) that offers a prepaid card to those applying for Healthy Start instead of paper vouchers. This card will be topped up every 4 weeks with your payment.
Healthy Start pre paid card is for children under the age of four and pregnant women only. You could get:
- £4.25 each week of your pregnancy (from the 10th week of your pregnancy)
- £8.50 each week for children under one
- £4.25 each week for children between the age of one and below four years old
- The pre-paid card is used to spend on healthy foods and can be shown at your local Children's Centre to receive free vitamins to give your child the best start in life. To check your eligibility and to apply for Healthy Start visit Healthy Start (NHS): How to apply (opens new window). Also speak to your Midwife, Health Visitor or local Children's Centre for more information.
- Check where you can collect your free vitamins by entering in your postcode on the NHS website (opens new window).
- Maternity services - speak to your midwife
- Health Visiting Team
- Your local Children's Centre