- Description
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The Public Health Team at Southend-on-Sea City Council has set up a new scheme for women who are trying to conceive or less then 10 weeks pregnant to receive 16 weeks worth (2 bottles) of prenatal vitamins, which are vital for the early stages of pregnancy.
The NHS states it is important for women to take pre-natal vitamins if they are trying to get pregnant or as soon as they find out up until they are 12 weeks pregnant.
‘It’s important to take a 400 micrograms folic acid tablet every day before you’re pregnant and until you’re 12 weeks pregnant. Folic acid can help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, including spina bifida.’
If you did not take folic acid before you conceived, you should start as soon as you find out you’re pregnant.
It is also recommended that you take a daily vitamin D supplement: Vitamins, supplements and nutrition in pregnancy
We know there is a huge market for prenatal vitamins which can work out to be very expensive, with many of the vitamins found in the well-known brands to be not necessary.
Tommy’s Baby Charity states, ‘Pregnancy multivitamins typically cost about £15 a month, and some contain around 20 vitamins and minerals. It is fine to take a multivitamin if you want to, but research has shown that it is not necessary. The key thing is taking the specific supplements you need and eating a healthy, balanced diet.
If you do take a multivitamin, make sure that it does not contain vitamin A, as too much can harm your baby: Do I need to take pregnancy multivitamins?
What vitamins will I receive?
The free prenatal vitamins available are called Healthy Start Vitamin Tablets, which is supplied through the NHS.
The vitamins contain:
- 400mg of folic acid which lowers the chance of babies having spinal problems
- 10mcg of vitamin C which helps the body’s soft tissue
- 70mcg vitamin D which helps babies’ bones to develop properly.
How do I get my vitamins?
If you are trying to conceive or in early pregnancy (before your first booking appointment), you can pick up your free vitamins at one of our Family Centres listed below. In event of a product re-call, you will need to fill in your name and contact number so you can be contacted if there is a problem with the vitamins you have been provided and will be notified to stop taking them straight away.
If you have never attended a family centre before, you may need to fill in a registration form.
You may also be advised to pick up your free vitamins at your first booking appointment with your midwife. You will have to go to the Family Centre’s reception, and it will be the same process as above.
Community Midwife Clinics in Southend are held at the following Family Centres:
- Friars
- Hamstel
- Blenheim
- Prince Avenue
- Cambridge Road
Family Centres/Vitamin Distribution Centres
Collect your free vitamins from the locations below.
Opening hours are 9am – 4pm.
- Blenheim Family Centre - School Way, Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 4HX
- Cambridge Road Family Centre - 40-42 Cambridge Rd, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1EB
- Friars Family Centre - Constable Way, Shoeburyness, Southend-on-Sea SS3 9XX
- Centre Place Family Centre – Prospect Close, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2JD
For more information, please contact the Family Centres on 01702 220 810 or familycentres@southend.gov.uk
- Telephone
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01702 220810
- Email address
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