Occupational and medicinal issues
Consider your working environment
If you think that your occupation may pose a risk to a pregnancy, then ideally you should discuss this with your employer before becoming pregnant. For example, if you work with chemicals, fumes, solvents, etc, which may pose a risk, or if you work with animals such as cats or sheep which may be carrying germs (see above).
You and your employer may wish to download information guides from the Health and Safety Executive website at www.hse.gov.uk.
Medical conditions
Women with certain medical conditions may benefit from other advice before becoming pregnant. See your doctor if you have concerns about a medical condition which may affect pregnancy. For example:
- For some conditions, the medication or treatment may possibly affect the pregnancy or the unborn child. For example, epilepsy.
- For some conditions, the condition itself may require special attention during the pregnancy. For example, diabetes.
- If a hereditary condition runs in your family, you may benefit from genetic counselling.
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Get to more facts
- Planning to become pregnant and pregnancy issues
- Folic acid and alcohol
- Smoking and drugs
- Food and diet
- Foods and drinks to avoid
- Animals and medications to watch
- Infections
- Summary and checklist
- Pregnancy and caffeine
- Pregnancy and smoking
- How can I stop smoking?
- What about medicines that can help you stop smoking?
- Pregnancy and rubella


