A healthy diet during pregnancy is important for the health of the pregnant woman and the health and development of her baby. The Healthy Start Scheme is a government run scheme set up for pregnant women and their babies to make sure that they stay healthy.
It does this by offering vouchers to eligible pregnant women and their families to be used for purchasing fruits and vegetables, cow’s milk, infant formula and vitamin supplements. For details about the Scheme and who is eligible, please visit the Healthy Start website.
In October 2011 NHS Southampton City started a new pilot scheme to provide free vitamins to all pregnant women and new born babies under the age of one. The Healthy Start vitamins are available from various locations throughout the city including baby clinics and Sure Start Children Centres. Talk to your Midwife or Health Visitor for more information about the scheme and how to get the vitamin supplements.
A map of locations where you can the supplements and opening times is available.
The aim of the scheme is to help improve the diets of pregnant women and children. Pregnant women are provided with vitamin supplements containing the recommended amounts of vitamins C, D and Folic acid; and those for babies contain the recommended amounts of vitamins A, C and D.
- Folic acid is an important vitamin before and during the early stages of pregnancy as it helps to reduce the chances of a baby developing spina bifida, a birth defect where the spine doesn’t develop properly.
- Vitamin A is important for growth, eyesight and healthy skin
- Vitamin C is important for general health and our immune system; it also helps in the absorption of iron and for helping wounds heal.
- Vitamin D helps strengthen bones, children who don’t get enough of this vitamin will develop weak and soft bones, a condition know as rickets.
For health reasons your GP may have prescribed you extra folic acid to take before and during your pregnancy. It is important that you take these vitamins if they have been prescribed for you. If you need to discuss extra vitamins you can take please talk to your GP, Midwife or Health Visitor.
For more information about how to give your child a healthy start in life and about the Healthy Start Scheme visit the new Healthy Start website www.healthystart.nhs.uk
