Pregnancy and Preparing for a Baby
Pregnancy care and appointments, preparing for birth, the equipment a baby genuinely needs, money and time off work, and where to turn if pregnancy is difficult or unexpected.
The first step is to contact a midwife or GP
In the UK you do not need to wait for a referral to start pregnancy care. As soon as you think you are pregnant, contact a GP surgery or your local maternity service and ask to book your first midwife appointment, often called the booking appointment. This is usually before ten weeks of pregnancy, but it is never too late to make contact.
NHS pregnancy care, midwife appointments and scans are free. You are also entitled to free NHS prescriptions and free NHS dental treatment while you are pregnant and for twelve months after your baby is born.
Urgent pregnancy symptoms: get help straight away
Call 999 or go to your nearest A&E if you have:
- Heavy vaginal bleeding, or bleeding with severe pain
- Severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, or a swollen, painful leg
- A fit or seizure, collapse, or loss of consciousness
- A serious fall, blow to the abdomen or a road accident
Contact your midwife, maternity unit or NHS 111 immediately — do not wait for your next appointment — if you notice:
- Your baby moving less than usual, or a change in the usual pattern of movements
- Any bleeding, or fluid leaking from the vagina
- A severe headache, blurred vision, or sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet
- Pain under the ribs, persistent vomiting, or a high temperature
- Burning when passing urine, or feeling generally very unwell
- Thoughts of harming yourself, or feeling unable to keep going
Maternity units answer the telephone day and night. You will never be a nuisance for ringing, and you should ring again if something still does not feel right.
Know the difference before you ring
- 999 — someone is seriously ill or injured, or life may be at risk.
- Your maternity unit or midwife — anything about the pregnancy or the baby, at any hour.
- NHS 111 — you are unsure how urgent something is and cannot reach your midwife.
- Your GP — ongoing health conditions, medicines, mental health and non-urgent worries.
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Pregnancy support and appointments
Pregnancy care follows a schedule of appointments with a midwife, and sometimes a doctor. The pattern varies, but you can normally expect:
- A booking appointment, where your health and history are discussed in detail
- Blood tests and blood pressure checks, offered at intervals through the pregnancy
- Screening scans, usually around 8 to 14 weeks and around 18 to 21 weeks
- Regular checks of your wellbeing and the baby’s growth and movements
- Vaccinations offered in pregnancy, including flu and whooping cough
- A conversation about where and how you would like to give birth
Take questions with you and write the answers down. You can ask for an interpreter, a longer appointment, a female clinician, or for a partner or friend to be present.
Preparing for birth
- Discuss your options with your midwife: a hospital labour ward, a midwife-led unit or a home birth. What is available depends on your area and your medical history.
- Write a simple birth plan covering pain relief, who you want with you, and anything that matters to you. It is a guide, not a contract, and plans often change safely.
- Pack a bag from around 36 weeks: notes and identification, loose clothing, toiletries, phone charger, snacks, nappies and clothes for the baby.
- Plan the journey. Know the number for the maternity unit, where to park or which entrance to use at night, and who will drive you.
- Arrange care for other children and for pets in advance, with a backup person.
- Ask about antenatal classes. NHS classes are free where available, and charities also run sessions on labour, feeding and early baby care.
- Fit an approved rear-facing car seat correctly before the birth if you will travel by car.
Essential baby equipment — and what can wait
Babies need far less than shops suggest. Concentrate on sleep, feeding, nappies, warmth and safe travel.
- A safe sleep space: a cot, cot bed, crib or Moses basket with a firm, flat, waterproof mattress that fits properly
- Bedding suitable for a baby: fitted sheets and light blankets, or a correctly sized baby sleeping bag
- Nappies, cotton wool or wipes, and a changing mat
- Feeding equipment: bottles and steriliser if bottle feeding, or breastfeeding support and washable pads
- Around six vests and six sleepsuits, a hat, and an outdoor layer for the season
- A rear-facing car seat that fits your car, fitted according to the instructions
- A pram or pushchair suitable for a newborn, or a supportive sling used safely
- A baby bath or a clean washing-up bowl, and soft towels
Buy a new mattress and a new car seat if you possibly can, because you cannot see damage inside either. Second-hand clothes, prams, cots and furniture are usually fine when they are clean, undamaged and complete with instructions.
Financial and practical help during pregnancy
- Maternity leave and pay. Tell your employer in writing, usually by the fifteenth week before your due date. Statutory Maternity Pay, Maternity Allowance and paternity leave each have their own rules — check which applies to you.
- Sure Start Maternity Grant. A one-off payment for some people on certain benefits in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, usually for a first baby. Scotland has its own separate payments.
- Healthy Start. A prepaid card for eligible pregnant women and families with young children, for milk, fruit, vegetables, pulses and vitamins.
- Free prescriptions and dental care. Apply for a maternity exemption certificate through your midwife, GP or health visitor.
- Time off for appointments. Pregnant employees have the right to paid time off for antenatal appointments.
- Benefit checks. A free calculator or a Citizens Advice adviser can check everything you may be entitled to, including Universal Credit and Child Benefit once the baby arrives.
Rules and amounts change, and eligibility depends on your circumstances. Always check the current official guidance rather than relying on what a friend received.
Support for expectant parents experiencing difficulties
Pregnancy is not straightforward for everyone. Help exists for all of the situations below, and asking for it early usually makes things easier.
- Feeling low, anxious or frightened. Tell your midwife or GP. Mental health support in pregnancy is normal, expected and free.
- Pregnancy loss or a worrying diagnosis. Specialist charities offer bereavement and decision-making support alongside your maternity team.
- An unplanned pregnancy. A GP, midwife or sexual health service can talk through all of your options confidentially.
- Housing worries or homelessness. Contact your council’s housing team as early as possible; pregnancy affects how your case is treated.
- Domestic abuse. Abuse often begins or worsens in pregnancy. Midwives are trained to help and free confidential helplines operate across the UK.
- Alcohol, smoking or drug use. Ask your midwife for a referral. Support is practical and free, and stopping at any stage helps.
- Very young parents. Ask about young parents’ groups, specialist midwives and help continuing education.
Important information
Sixpence Support UK provides general information and signposting only. This page is not medical advice, does not diagnose any condition and does not give medicine doses. Always speak to your midwife, GP or maternity unit about your own pregnancy. Benefit and grant rules change, so check the current official guidance before relying on any amount or eligibility rule.