Pregnancy guide

92 guides · Nutrition, mood, symptoms, scans and birth

Whether you have just seen two lines on a test or you are already weeks in and looking for answers, these guides cover everything from preparing your body before you conceive, through every antenatal appointment and common symptom, all the way to the birth room and the first days after.

Trying to conceive

• Pre-conception health: folic acid, vitamins and preparing your body — What to do before trying: folic acid, vitamin D, lifestyle changes.
• How long does it take to get pregnant? — How long most couples take, what affects the timeline, when to see a GP.
• Understanding your cycle and fertile window — How the menstrual cycle works, when ovulation happens, how to recognise it.

Nutrition in pregnancy

• Pregnancy nutrition: what to eat and what to avoid — What to eat more of, what to limit, and what to avoid entirely.
• Gestational diabetes: screening, diagnosis and management — Who is offered screening, how it is managed, what it means for birth.
• Anaemia in pregnancy: symptoms, causes and treatment — Why anaemia is so common, how it is diagnosed, how iron deficiency is treated.
• Exercise in pregnancy: what is safe and what to avoid — Which activities to continue, which to avoid, and why.
• Vitamin D in pregnancy: why it matters and how much you need — Why vitamin D is important, who is at risk of deficiency, NHS recommendations.
• Iron in pregnancy: foods, supplements and preventing deficiency — Why iron requirements increase, which foods help, when supplements are needed.
• Alcohol and caffeine in pregnancy: what the NHS advises — NHS guidance on alcohol and caffeine, what the evidence shows.
• Foods to avoid in pregnancy — The NHS list of foods to avoid or limit, and why each one is on the list.

Mood and anxiety

• Mental health in pregnancy: anxiety, depression and getting help — Why mental health conditions are common in pregnancy, how to get support.
• Pregnancy after miscarriage or loss: what to expect — The emotional and practical realities of pregnancy after loss.
• Anxiety in pregnancy: when worry feels like too much — What pregnancy anxiety feels like, why it happens, and how to get support.

Symptoms and discomforts

• Pregnancy fatigue: why it happens and how to manage it — Why extreme tiredness is common in early pregnancy and how to cope.
• First trimester symptoms: what is normal and what to watch for — Common symptoms, when to take a test, which signs need prompt attention.
• Heartburn and reflux in pregnancy: what helps — Why heartburn is so common, what makes it worse, what the NHS recommends.
• Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) in pregnancy: symptoms and management — Why PGP happens and how physiotherapy and lifestyle changes can help.
• Pregnancy nausea and morning sickness: what actually helps — Why nausea happens, when it eases, what helps and when to seek support.
• Anaemia in pregnancy: symptoms, causes and treatment — Why anaemia is so common, how it is diagnosed, how iron deficiency is treated.

Scans and tests

• The 12-week dating scan: what it checks and what to expect — What the NHS 12-week scan involves, what it measures, combined Down's screening.
• The 20-week anomaly scan: what it checks and what to expect — What the NHS 20-week scan looks for, how to prepare, what happens if unexpected.
• Genetic testing in pregnancy: NIPT, CVS and amniocentesis explained — What genetic tests are available, who is offered them, how to decide.

Birth preparation

• Writing a birth plan: what to include and how to approach it — What to include and how to discuss your preferences with your midwife.
• Hospital bag checklist: what to pack for birth — A complete NHS-informed checklist of what to pack for labour and beyond.
• Pain relief in labour: the options explained — Every pain relief option in NHS labour wards, from TENS to epidural.
• Vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC): what the evidence says — Who is a candidate, success rates, and how to discuss the decision.
• Overdue pregnancy: what to expect and your options — What it means to go past your due date, when induction is offered.
• Breech presentation: what it means and your options near term — What the NHS offers, including ECV and planned caesarean, and how to decide.

Traditions and culture

• Godh bharai: the Indian pregnancy ceremony — When the godh bharai takes place, what happens, how it is celebrated.
• Pregnancy traditions and beliefs in Indian culture — Dietary beliefs, activity customs and what medical evidence says about them.
• Chinese pregnancy traditions: customs, beliefs and what the evidence says — Common customs, dietary beliefs and taboos, evidence-based look.
• Iwata obi: the Japanese pregnancy belly band tradition — When and why the iwata obi is worn, and the Inu no Hi ceremony.
• Boshi techo: Japan's mother and child health handbook — What the boshi techo records and how Japan's portable health record works.

All pregnancy guides

• Your booking appointment: what happens at your first antenatal visit — Blood tests, questions you will be asked, and what you receive.
• NHS antenatal appointments: your schedule from booking to birth — A week-by-week guide to the NHS antenatal appointment schedule.
• Miscarriage: understanding early pregnancy loss — What miscarriage is, why it happens, NHS support and how to find help.
• Twin pregnancy: what to expect from diagnosis to birth — What makes twin pregnancy different, the care you will receive.
• Pre-eclampsia: signs to recognise and when to call — The symptoms to watch for and when to contact your maternity unit.
• Counting kicks: monitoring fetal movement in pregnancy — Why monitoring movements matters, what is normal, when to call.
• Group B strep in pregnancy: testing, risks and decisions — How group B strep is managed in UK pregnancies and your testing options.
• Pregnancy after 35: what changes, what to expect, and what the evidence says — What risks are genuinely higher and what additional care is offered.
• Induction of labour: methods, reasons and what to expect — Why induction is offered, the methods used in the NHS, what the process involves.
• Labour: what happens from the first contractions to birth — A clear guide to early labour, active labour, pushing, and delivery.
• Elective caesarean: what to expect from arrival to recovery — Pre-op steps, what you feel during surgery, the recovery ward.
• Caesarean section recovery: what to expect in the days and weeks after birth — Wound care, pain management, and gradual return to activity.
• Birth positions: options for labour and how they can help — What evidence says about upright positions and how to use them.
• The birth partner's role: what to do and how to help during labour — How to use a TENS machine, what to do during contractions, when to call.
• The golden hour after birth: what happens immediately after your baby is born — Why skin-to-skin contact matters and what to expect straight after birth.
• Skin-to-skin contact after birth: benefits and how it works — The evidence for its benefits after both vaginal and caesarean birth.
• The postnatal ward: what to expect in the first 24 to 48 hours — The checks, the feeding support, and how to make the most of your stay.
• Your baby's first night: what to expect in those first hours — Feeding, sleep, newborn checks, and what is normal in the first night.
• The first week after birth: what to expect for mother and baby — What happens to your body and your baby in the first seven days.
• Perineal tears and episiotomy: recovery after birth — The different degrees of tear, how recovery works, what to expect.
• Going home after birth: what to prepare and expect on discharge day — When you can go home, what midwives check before discharge.
• Preparing for a newborn: what you actually need and what can wait — What you genuinely need for a newborn and what can wait until after birth.
• Maternity leave and pay: what you are entitled to in the UK — How UK maternity leave and Statutory Maternity Pay work.
• Paternity leave and pay: what partners are entitled to in the UK — UK paternity leave, Statutory Paternity Pay, and Shared Parental Leave.
• Antenatal care in Australia: your options and what is covered — Public vs private care, what Medicare covers, your care options.
• Birth choices in Australia: public, private and birth centres — The different birth settings in Australia and how to choose between them.
• Prenatal care in the USA: your schedule, costs and what to expect — How prenatal care works in the US, appointment schedule, insurance coverage.
• US prenatal visit schedule: what happens at each appointment — A visit-by-visit guide to prenatal appointments in the United States.
• Maternity and parental leave in the USA: federal and state rights — US federal and state maternity leave laws, who qualifies, how states compare.
• Mutterpass: Germany's maternity record booklet explained — What the Mutterpass records and how the German antenatal system works.
• Hebamme: midwifery care in Germany and how to find one — What a Hebamme does, what insurance covers, how to book one early.
• Elterngeld: Germany's parental allowance explained — How Elterngeld works, how much you receive, who qualifies, how to apply.
• Pregnancy care in Italy: the antenatal system explained — How antenatal care works through the SSN and what is covered.
• Congedo di maternita: maternity leave and pay in Italy — How Italian maternity leave and pay works and what partners are entitled to.
• La quarantina: the Italian postnatal rest tradition — What the Italian 40-day tradition is and what evidence says about postnatal rest.
• Preparing for zuo yuezi: planning your postnatal confinement — How to plan for zuo yuezi: centre vs home care, setting up your space.
• A pregnancy skincare routine: what to use morning and evening — a practical morning and evening skincare routine for pregnancy, with safe effective ingredients and guidance on acne, pigmentation and dry skin
• Anterior placenta: what it means for feeling movements and your pregnancy — an anterior placenta is common and usually not a concern
• Back pain and sciatica in pregnancy: causes, relief and when to see someone — lower back pain and sciatic nerve pain are extremely common in pregnancy
• Basal body temperature tracking for fertility: how to do it and what it tells you — basal body temperature (BBT) rises after ovulation
• Braxton Hicks vs true labour: how to tell the difference — Braxton Hicks contractions feel real but follow a different pattern to true labour
• Constipation in pregnancy: why it happens and what actually helps — why constipation is so common in pregnancy, which laxatives are safe, the toilet-position tip that really works, and when to see your midwife
• Early pregnancy test accuracy: when to test, faint lines and false results — when should you take a pregnancy test? Why faint lines happen, what false negatives mean, and how to get the most accurate result possible
• Ectopic pregnancy: symptoms, warning signs and what to do immediately — ectopic pregnancy symptoms can be subtle at first
• First trimester fatigue: why you are so tired in early pregnancy and how to cope — why first trimester exhaustion is so intense, what is driving it, how long it usually lasts, and practical strategies that actually help you cope with early pregnancy fatigue
• Group B Strep in pregnancy: what the test shows and what it means for labour — Group B Strep is carried by around a quarter of adults
• Medicines in pregnancy: what is safe, what to avoid and when to ask — which medicines are safe in pregnancy and which to avoid — paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines, herbal remedies and more
• Obstetric cholestasis: itching in pregnancy that needs checking — intense itching of the palms or soles without a rash in pregnancy can be obstetric cholestasis
• Pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy: symptoms, management and what to avoid — what pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is, how common it is, what makes it worse, when to ask for a physio referral, and the self-management strategies that genuinely help
• Pregnancy brain: what is happening to your memory and concentration — pregnancy brain is a real phenomenon backed by neuroscience
• Pregnancy symptoms vs PMS: how to tell the difference before you test — breast tenderness, cramps, fatigue, they could be PMS or early pregnancy
• Pregnancy-safe skincare: which ingredients to avoid and which are fine — a clear guide to skincare ingredients during pregnancy: retinol, salicylic acid, AHAs, vitamin C, SPF, what to avoid, what to swap, and what is safe
• Prenatal massage: is it safe, what to avoid and how to find a qualified therapist — pregnancy massage can ease back pain, swelling and anxiety
• Round ligament pain in pregnancy: what it is, when it happens and what helps — what round ligament pain feels like, why it happens in the second trimester, the movements that trigger it, what relieves it, and when to contact your midwife
• Sleep in pregnancy: tips for each trimester and when to seek help — why sleep changes at every stage of pregnancy, practical tips for each trimester, safe sleep positions from 28 weeks, and when to talk to your midwife
• Swollen feet and ankles in pregnancy: what is normal and what is not — why pregnancy causes swollen feet and ankles, what normal oedema looks like, the pre-eclampsia warning signs to know, and practical steps that actually reduce swelling
• The second trimester: what to expect from weeks 13 to 27 — everything that happens in the second trimester: energy returning, the anomaly scan, first movements, bump growth, emotional changes and how to prepare for the third trimester
• The third trimester: what to expect from weeks 28 to 40 — what happens in the third trimester: physical changes, growth scans, Group B Strep, birth preparation, movement monitoring, signs of labour and when to call triage
• Writing a birth plan: what to include, what to leave flexible and how to use it — a practical guide to writing a birth plan that actually helps: what to include, what to leave open, how to present it to your midwife, and how to use it when labour does not go as expected
• Your first pregnancy scan at 6 to 8 weeks: what to expect — the early reassurance scan at 6 to 8 weeks checks for a heartbeat, confirms the pregnancy is in the right place, and gives a due date

Frequently asked questions

What should I eat in the first trimester?

Focus on folate-rich foods such as leafy greens, beans and fortified cereals, alongside a 400 microgram folic acid supplement. Iron, calcium and vitamin D are also important throughout pregnancy. Small, frequent meals can help if nausea is making it hard to eat larger portions. Avoid raw or undercooked meat, unpasteurised cheeses, raw shellfish and high-mercury fish.

Is anxiety normal in pregnancy?

Yes. Feeling anxious at times is very common in pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester and again near the end. Some worry is a natural part of caring about your baby. If anxiety feels overwhelming, is affecting your sleep or daily life, or if you are having persistent intrusive thoughts, speak to your midwife or GP. Effective support is available and asking for help early makes a real difference.

When will I have my 12-week scan?

The NHS dating scan is usually offered between 10 and 14 weeks, most commonly around 12 weeks. It confirms your due date and, together with a blood test, screens for conditions including Down's syndrome. You will receive your appointment through your midwife after your booking visit.

What symptoms are normal in early pregnancy?

Nausea, tiredness, breast tenderness, needing to wee more often and a heightened sense of smell are all common in early pregnancy. Light spotting around the time of implantation can happen and is usually nothing to worry about. Severe vomiting, heavy bleeding, one-sided pain or a high temperature are symptoms that need prompt medical attention.

How do I prepare for labour?

Writing a birth plan helps you think through your preferences for pain relief, positions, and who you want in the room. Packing your hospital bag from about 36 weeks is a good idea. Your midwife can talk you through what to expect and antenatal classes, whether NHS or independent, give you and your birth partner practical preparation.

What foods should I avoid in pregnancy?

The NHS advises avoiding raw or undercooked meat, raw shellfish, unpasteurised soft cheeses (such as brie and camembert), pate, and high-mercury fish including shark, swordfish and marlin. Limit oily fish to two portions a week and tuna to four cans a week. The advice is to avoid alcohol entirely. Limit caffeine to 200 mg a day, roughly one to two cups of coffee.