All new mums-to-be in Bradford and Airedale are being given a free supply of Healthy Start vitamins to keep them and their developing baby in good health throughout pregnancy.

The vitamins will be given to about 8,500 pregnant women a year. They will each get a bag containing the vitamins plus an easy to understand dosage sheet, a copy of the Every Baby Matters leaflet and other information about stopping smoking and breastfeeding.

Pregnant women who receive care from Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will get their vitamins at their 12-week ultrasound scan, and women who go to Airedale NHS Foundation Trust will get them from their midwife.
Healthy Start vitamins contain vitamins C and D and folic acid – which are all really important to help women have a healthy pregnancy and for their baby’s health.

NHS Bradford and Airedale has launched this new initiative as part of its infant mortality strategy to improve maternal and infant health. It is working closely with the maternity units at Bradford and Airedale hospitals to help roll-out the programme so that every pregnant woman gets this extra help.

Once their babies are born, new mums are also encouraged to continue taking Healthy Start vitamins while they are breastfeeding, and to give their babies and toddlers vitamin drops up to the age of two.

Sarah Lockyer, senior public health manager at NHS Bradford and Airedale, said: “This is an important step forward in making sure that pregnant women are getting all the supplements they need to keep them and their babies in good health. The Every Baby Matters leaflet also gives them lots of useful information and advice which they can use to help keep them and their babies healthy.

“The hospitals are doing a great job in making sure women receive the vitamins and information, and we know women are also getting expert advice at the same time and can ask if they have any queries.”

In Bradford, many women could be at risk of vitamin D deficiency if they are not getting outdoors enough each day or don’t eat a good variety of foods to keep them healthy. Everyone needs vitamin D to make strong bones but many women don’t know about the importance of vitamin D in helping to keep them and their baby healthy. The good news is that supplements can help a great deal but women also need to get more exposure to sunlight and eat a balanced diet including foods rich in vitamin D.

Julie Walker, head of midwifery at the Bradford Royal Infirmary, said: ”Every baby in Bradford deserves to get the best start in life and we are delighted to be able to support our public health colleagues with this important new venture for the city.

“Every woman will now receive healthy living advice early in pregnancy along with these vital vitamins when they attend their first scan at the BRI.

“It is our greatest hope that by providing easy access to the Healthy Start packs, mums-to-be will take on board the information they are given as well taking these free vitamins daily, after all they will benefit not only their babies, but the women too.”