Newly pregnant? You can self-refer for antenatal booking without having to see a GP

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