Your pregnancy and baby guideHealth things you should know in pregnancy

There are things you can do, and things you can avoid, to keep you and your baby as healthy as possible in pregnancy.

Go to your pregnancy (antenatal) appointments

It's important not to miss any of your antenatal appointments. These appointments are part of your NHS pregnancy journey.

The tests, scans and checks you'll have help look after the health of you and your baby.

Some of the tests and measurements that can find potential problems have to be done at specific times of pregnancy, which is why you have appointments at certain weeks.

There are also things you can do to keep you and your baby as healthy as possible in pregnancy.

Food

• have a healthy pregnancy diet
• know which foods to avoid in pregnancy

Alcohol

• don't drink alcohol

Not smoking

• if you smoke, stop smoking

Vitamins

• take a folic acid supplement and think about taking a vitamin D supplement

Medicines

Not all medicines are safe to take when you're pregnant. This includes prescribed medicines and medicines you can buy in a pharmacy or shop.

Check with a doctor, pharmacist or midwife before you take any medicines when you're pregnant.

If you're already taking prescribed medicine, do not stop taking your medicine without talking to your doctor first.

• find out about medicines in pregnancy

Exercise

• do some safe pregnancy exercise

Protect against getting ill

• know how to avoid infections that may harm your baby and symptoms to look out for
• have the flu vaccination (offered between September and March, and it's free if you're pregnant)
• have the whooping cough vaccination, free if you're pregnant

Baby movements

• know about baby movements in pregnancy, and when to seek help

Your mental wellbeing

• know how to cope with feelings, worries and relationships in pregnancy
• mental health issues in pregnancy

Sleeping well

• get tips on sleeping well in pregnancy

Travel

• travelling safely in pregnancy, including flying, long journeys and travel vaccinations

DVT (blood clots)

• know the risks, symptoms and ways to prevent blood clots in pregnancy

What if I have a health condition?

If you have a health condition, for example diabetes or asthma, these can affect your pregnancy. Pregnancy can also affect any conditions you have.

Don't stop taking your medicine until you've talked with your doctor.

Find out more about:

• asthma and pregnancy
• congenital heart disease and pregnancy
• coronary heart disease and pregnancy
• diabetes and pregnancy
• epilepsy and pregnancy
• mental health problems and pregnancy
• being overweight in pregnancy