Personalise additional advice

Customers asking for advice on fertility and conception provides an excellent opportunity to add value by advising on nutritional requirements during early pregnancy:¹¹ 

• When trying to become pregnant and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, it is recommended that women take a daily supplement containing 400 micrograms (also written as μg or mcg) of folic acid to help prevent birth defects such as spina bifida
• It is also recommended that all pregnant women take a daily supplement containing 10 mcg of vitamin D between September and March. Some women may require a supplement year-round, e.g. if they have dark skin or keep themselves covered when outdoors
• Advise customers not to take cod liver oil or supplements containing vitamin A (retinol) during pregnancy as too much vitamin A could harm their developing baby
• Some women may experience low iron levels during pregnancy. Good sources of iron include lean meat, green leafy vegetables, beans, fortified breakfast cereals, dried fruit and nuts. Women should only take iron supplements during pregnancy on the advice of their GP or midwife.

Build loyalty

Trying for a baby can be a long journey and, if successful, customers may benefit from further advice during pregnancy and once the baby arrives. Consider how you can: