Women don’t plan to improve health during pregnancy

Women are baby planning down to minute details, with 42 per cent starting a year in advance.

According to 3,000 women surveyed by Centrum Pregnancy Care, the majority plan their first child between the ages of 26 – 30.

More than a quarter wanted to save a minimum of £5,000 and 58 per cent wanted to own a property.

But women were found to be overlooking some of the health aspects of pregnant, with 20 per cent not considering altering their diet or taking essential pregnancy supplements like folic acid.

Dr Dawn Harper says: “Once you start trying for a baby, you should eat a healthy well balanced diet, give up smoking, cut down alcohol intake and maintain a healthy weight (Body Mass Index 18.5 – 25). It is also really important to take a daily supplement containing folic acid ideally for three months before conception and for the first three months of pregnancy for the healthy development of the baby’s spinal cord”.