Your pregnancy and baby guideOverview

Am I pregnant? What should I be eating? Is it normal to be this tired? How can I help my partner during labour?

Whatever you want to know about getting pregnant, being pregnant or caring for your new baby, you should find it here.

You'll find detailed week-by-week guides and lots of expert videos, parents' tips and interactive tools to explore.

Before you start, why not:

• work out when your baby is due with our due date calculator   
• download a birth plan template to fill in and save

Want to know if you're really pregnant?

Got any of the signs and symptoms of pregnancy? Read our guide on finding out if you're pregnant.

Find out about pregnancy tests, or your next steps if you've had a positive pregnancy test.

Also, find out more about getting help if you're not getting pregnant.

Keeping well in pregnancy

• everything you need to know about a healthy pregnancy diet and supplements in pregnancy
• smoking and drinking can harm an unborn baby – read our stop smoking and alcohol pages for help trying to quit 

Antenatal care and the baby's development

• find out as much as you can about what's happening inside you in the first few weeks of pregnancy
• how to cope with all those common pregnancy problems, like morning sickness, tiredness and headaches 
• find out all about the ultrasound scans and checks and tests you'll be offered as part of your antenatal care, including screening for Down's syndrome

Vaccinations in pregnancy

Why it's recommended that women have the flu vaccine in pregnancy and whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy.

Labour and birth

Find out all you need to know about labour and birth, including where you can have your baby – for example, either in a hospital, midwife-led unit, or at home – and what pain relief is available, such as gas and air (entonox) and epidural.

Your new baby

When your baby arrives, you can find advice on all the essentials of baby care, including breastfeeding, bottle feeding, changing nappies, and washing your baby. Plus:

• find out how to cope with a crying baby and get tips on settling them into a good sleep routine
• as a new mum, find out about the possible changes to your body and your relationships, and know how to spot the symptoms of postnatal depression
• if you have twins or multiples, find out about feeding, getting out and about, and sleep issues

Feeding, teething and tantrums

• find out about all aspects of parenting, including support and services, keeping fit, and going back to work
• know the signs of serious illness in babies and the symptoms of infectious illnesses such as chickenpox
• find out how to keep your baby safe and what to do if they have an accident
• at six months old your baby will need to start solid foods, so be prepared with our weaning tips and first food ideas
• as your baby becomes a toddler, get tips on teething, the importance of play, temper tantrums and potty training

Want to share your pregnancy and baby experiences?

Connect with others who can offer practical and emotional support about any pregnancy and baby issues on the HealthUnlocked NCT forum.