Pregnant - what next?
If you have just found out you are pregnant please contact your GP. Your GP will discuss your options with you and if appropriate ensure you receive an appointment with your local community midwife, who will co-ordinate your maternity care.
Health in pregnancy
Folic acid
If you haven't already started taking folic acid, the NHS recommends that you start taking 400mcgs of Folic Acid in the first trimester (conception through to 12 weeks).
This has shown to significantly decrease any neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
If you are diabetic, epileptic, have a family history of neural tube defects such as spina bifida or a BMI over 30, please see your GP, as you may need a higher dose.
Diet
Eating a well-balanced diet rich in nutrients will help your baby to develop and grow. There is no specific diet to follow, but ensuring a balance is key. There are a number of foods you should avoid in pregnancy - please visit:
Have a healthy diet in pregnancy - NHS website
Foods to avoid in pregnancy - NHS website
Smoking
Smoking in pregnancy is very harmful to your health and the health of your baby.
Stopping smoking will help both you and your baby immediately, and reducing smoking means harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide, and other damaging chemicals will clear from your body.
Smoking is linked to pregnancy loss, premature birth, miscarriage and still birth.
Smoking in pregnancy also increases the risk of:
- low birth weight
- problems with your baby's ears nose and throat
- higher chance of your baby having conditions later in life, such as:
- respiratory conditions
- obesity
- diabetes.
The sooner you stop smoking, the better, but even if you stop in the last few weeks of your pregnancy this will benefit you and your baby.
Talk to your midwife or GP about services to help you quit, and visit:
Stop smoking in pregnancy - NHS website
Smoking cessation - Oxford University Hospitals
Alcohol
While evidence is unclear on how much alcohol is harmful during pregnancy, the Chief Medical Officer advises avoiding alcohol altogether. Drinking in pregnancy can lead to long-term harm to the baby: the more you drink, the greater the risk.
Drinking alcohol while pregnant - NHS website
If you are worried about your drinking and need support, please speak to your GP or midwife or contact Turning Point Oxfordshire.
Healthy weight
It is important for both you and your baby to have a healthy weight in pregnancy; but if you are overweight and pregnant, it is important to lose weight in a healthy and supported way. Please speak to your midwife or GP about how they can help you.
How much weight will I put on during my pregnancy? - NHS website
Eating a well-balanced diet combined with physical activity is always beneficial - remember, exercise doesn't have to be strenuous to do you good. Exercise in pregnancy is very important for the health of your baby as well as you. Speak to your midwife about what activity you currently do, and how this might need to change during pregnancy.
Mental health
Pregnancy can be a joyful time, but sometimes it can be stressful and difficult.
There is no normal way to feel during pregnancy and everyone is different. Mental health difficulties during pregnancy and in the months after giving birth can happen to anyone.
For information on how we can help you and your family, please see Mental health.
Shaping your pregnancy
'mum & baby' app
Download the mum & baby ('m&b') app, your personal NHS guide for pregnancy, birth and beyond.
The app offers evidence-based information on pregnancy, birth and postnatal care, along with local information and options to track appointments and choose your place of birth.
Search for 'mum & baby' in the Apple Store or Google Play.
Personalised Care Plans
Feeling involved in your care, and planning your birth and postanal period, is very important. You can use these templates to develop your own Personalised Care Plan to share with midwives and doctors, either electronically or on paper, available in five languages.
Your midwife and doctor will discuss this with you during your pregnancy and a paper copy will also be available.
Documents
Links
Last reviewed:07 February 2022