Pregnancy and maternity

What do I do if I don't know if I'm pregnant but I think I might be?

It's important that you take good care of yourself through your pregnancy for both you and your baby. If you think you might be pregnant but you're not certain, you should use a test available from your local pharmacist. Remember, if you are in any doubt about being pregnant or have concerns about what to do, talk to your GP or midwife. They will provide you with all the information you need.

What do I do when I know I'm pregnant?

When you first learn that you're pregnant, it’s important to contact an NHS professional as soon as possible.  This is to make sure that you receive maternity healthcare that takes account of all your health needs and preferences.

You can book an appointment directly with your midwife as soon as you know that you're pregnant. Your GP surgery can put you in touch with your nearest midwifery service.

If you have special health needs, your midwife, GP or other doctors may take shared responsibility for your maternity care.

Your first meeting with your midwife, sometimes known as the booking appointment, will last for up to two hours and could take place either at a hospital or in the community. This means that your first appointment may be in a clinic at a health centre, in a GP surgery or at home.

In order to give you the best pregnancy care, your midwife will ask you many questions about your health, the health of your family, and your preferences. Your midwife will order a number of tests and scans, some of which will be done throughout your pregnancy. The results of these tests may affect your choices later in pregnancy, so it’s important not to miss them.

Your midwife will also ask about any other social care support you may have or need, for example, support from social workers or family liaison officers.