Pregnancy Health

Looking after your health during pregnancy is not about doing everything perfectly or treating every change as a problem. It is about having the right antenatal care, knowing which everyday health choices need a little extra thought, and knowing where to turn if something does not feel right.

Pregnancy affects people differently. Some feel well for much of it, while others deal with sickness, pain, exhaustion, anxiety or health complications. Your maternity care should reflect your own health, circumstances and needs.

Start antenatal care early

Antenatal care is the healthcare you receive during pregnancy. It includes appointments, health checks, screening tests and ultrasound scans, as well as opportunities to discuss how you are feeling and ask questions.

In England, you can usually refer yourself directly to NHS maternity services as soon as you know you are pregnant. The NHS says the first midwife appointment, often called the booking appointment, usually takes place between 8 and 12 weeks, and should happen by 10 weeks where possible.

At this appointment, your midwife will ask about your physical and mental health, previous pregnancies, medicines, home circumstances and other factors that may affect your care. Routine checks include blood pressure, urine testing and blood tests.

Antenatal care continues throughout pregnancy. The exact number and type of appointments can vary depending on whether you have given birth before and whether you or the pregnancy need additional monitoring.

You do not need to wait for your next scheduled appointment if you are worried about your health or your baby’s health. NHS maternity services can be contacted between appointments.

Everyday ways to look after your health

Many of the basics of keeping healthy during pregnancy are familiar: eating a varied diet, staying active where appropriate, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and attending your maternity appointments.

The NHS recommends folic acid and vitamin D during pregnancy. Some people may be advised to take different amounts or additional supplements because of their individual circumstances. Your midwife, GP or pharmacist can advise you if you are unsure what applies to you.

Regular physical activity can usually continue during pregnancy, although what feels comfortable may change. The NHS advises listening to your body and not exhausting yourself. If you were not active before pregnancy, speak to your maternity team before beginning strenuous exercise.

Sleep, rest and energy levels can vary considerably. Needing more rest at certain points does not mean you are doing pregnancy incorrectly. If tiredness becomes severe, persistent or worries you, mention it to your midwife or GP.

Medicines need a pregnancy check

Pregnancy can change which medicines are suitable, including medicines you can buy without a prescription.

The NHS advises checking with a pharmacist, midwife or GP before taking medicine during pregnancy, including painkillers and medicines bought from a pharmacy or shop.

If you already take prescribed medication, do not stop it because you have discovered you are pregnant without speaking to the doctor responsible for your care. Stopping some medicines suddenly can be harmful.

Tell doctors, dentists, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals that you are pregnant before they prescribe or recommend treatment.

Herbal medicines also need care. “Natural” does not automatically mean suitable during pregnancy, and there may be limited safety information about some herbal products.

Vaccinations during pregnancy

Some vaccinations are specifically recommended during pregnancy because they can protect you and your baby from infections that may be more serious during pregnancy or early infancy.

NHS vaccination recommendations can change over time and may depend on the season and your circumstances. Your midwife, GP or pharmacist can tell you which vaccines you are currently eligible for and when they are offered.

Not every vaccine is routinely given during pregnancy. Some live vaccines are usually avoided, although individual circumstances can affect medical advice. If you need vaccinations for travel or another reason, discuss this with a healthcare professional rather than assuming that your usual vaccination schedule still applies.

Your mental health matters too

Pregnancy health includes emotional and mental wellbeing.

Pregnancy can bring happiness, uncertainty, fear, excitement, grief or several feelings at once. The NHS notes that some people develop anxiety or depression for the first time during pregnancy, while existing mental health difficulties can also return or change.

You can talk to your midwife or GP if you are struggling, even if you are unsure whether what you are experiencing is serious enough. You do not need to wait until things become overwhelming before asking for support.

If you already take prescribed medicine for a mental health condition, tell your doctor or specialist that you are pregnant. Do not stop taking it without medical advice.

Specialist perinatal mental health services are available for some people who need additional support during pregnancy and after birth.

Common symptoms are still worth talking about

Pregnancy can cause many physical changes, including nausea, tiredness, breast tenderness, headaches, constipation, heartburn, pelvic discomfort and changes in vaginal discharge.

A symptom being common does not mean you have to manage it alone, and it does not mean every instance has the same cause. Your midwife, GP or maternity team can help if a symptom is severe, persistent, changing or affecting everyday life.

It is particularly useful to know how your local maternity service handles urgent concerns. Depending on how far along you are, you may be directed to a GP, early pregnancy unit, midwife or maternity assessment unit.

Keep the contact details for your maternity service somewhere easy to find. Your maternity notes may also contain useful telephone numbers.

Health conditions and pregnancy

If you have a long-term health condition, pregnancy may mean that your care or medication needs reviewing.

The NHS advises people with a long-term condition or those taking regular medicine to start maternity care and also speak to their GP or specialist. Conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions, high blood pressure and some mental health conditions may require additional planning or monitoring.

This does not mean every existing condition will cause pregnancy complications. It means your healthcare team can consider your individual circumstances and arrange appropriate care.

If you are planning a pregnancy and have a long-term condition, speaking to the clinician responsible for your care before conception can also help you review medicines and treatment safely.

Screening and health checks

Antenatal appointments include routine checks designed to identify health issues that may need attention.

Blood pressure and urine are checked at several appointments. You will also be offered blood tests and screening tests during pregnancy. Ultrasound scans are offered at particular stages to assess dating, development and other aspects of the pregnancy.

Some screening is optional. Your maternity team should explain what is being offered, what the test looks for and what the possible results mean so that you can decide what is right for you.

If you do not understand a test or why it has been recommended, it is reasonable to ask for more information before deciding.

Your baby’s movements

Later in pregnancy, your baby’s movements become one of the things your maternity team will discuss with you.

The NHS says you should usually start to feel movement between 16 and 24 weeks. There is no set number of movements that every baby should make. What matters is becoming familiar with your baby’s usual pattern.

If your baby is moving less than usual, you cannot feel movement, or the normal pattern changes, contact your midwife or maternity unit immediately. Do not wait until the following day or your next appointment.

When to get professional advice

Contact your midwife, GP or maternity service whenever you are worried about your health or your baby’s health. You do not need to wait for a routine appointment.

NHS guidance highlights several pregnancy symptoms that need medical assessment. These include vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, a change in your baby’s usual movements, a high temperature and other symptoms that feel concerning or unusual for you.

Where you should seek help can depend on your stage of pregnancy and local maternity services. In early pregnancy you may be directed to your GP or an early pregnancy unit. Later in pregnancy, your midwife or maternity assessment unit may be the appropriate contact.

Use NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do or need help when your GP or maternity services are closed.

Call 999 for a life-threatening emergency or if you think you or someone else is seriously ill.

Mental health concerns deserve the same attention as physical symptoms. Speak to your maternity unit or GP if you are worried about your mental health. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency, seek urgent professional help.

Pregnancy guidance cannot cover every individual situation. If something feels different, persistent or worrying, asking your maternity team is appropriate even if it is not on a standard list of warning signs.