Health 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
Not smoking
- if you smoke, stop smoking
Vitamins
- take a folic acid supplement and think about taking a vitamin D supplement
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)
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.
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Page last reviewed: 11/10/2018
Next review due: 11/10/2021