Planning a pregnancy

Planning for pregnancy tool

If you are planning a pregnancy this tool will tell you all you need to know about how to improve your health and the health of your future pregnancy and child: Tommy’s Planning For Pregnancy tool

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle

If you are thinking about getting pregnant it is important that you maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes stopping smoking, cutting out alcohol and being a healthy weight.

Talk to your GP if you have any health concerns, have a long term health condition or need support.

Take folic acid every day

Folic acid reduces the risk of your baby having a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida.

Every day you should take a 400 microgram supplement of folic acid if you’re planning to get pregnant and every day until you’re 12 weeks pregnant.

Genetic tests

Screening, diagnostic and genetic counselling services are offered to couples who have a family history or personal history of genetic illness, or a previously affected pregnancy.

The risk of fetal abnormality is assessed and couples are informed about the choices available to them and offered psychological support.

This includes screening for chromosome abnormalities, fetal anomalies, haemoglobinopathies, Tay Sachs disease, Cystic Fibrosis and Muscular Dystrophy.

Help with getting pregnant

Please make an appointment to see your GP if you are not pregnant after a year of trying. Your GP can check for common causes of fertility problems and suggest treatments that could help.

See Infertility (NHS) and fertility (reproductive medicine) for more information and advice.

Tokophobia support

Does the thought of being pregnant feel overwhelming? You’re not alone. Severe fears around pregnancy and birth—known as tokophobia—can make decisions about having a baby really hard.

This video from Paths shares support and resources if you’re not pregnant but are struggling with these fears. Watch now and take the first step toward understanding and help. Video: Tokophobia the fear of pregnancy or birth

Supporting your partner through fear of pregnancy and or birth (tokophobia)

Easy Read Leaflet – Fear of birth

Useful links

More information and support can be found on the NHS website.

Finding out you are pregnant

It’s important that you contact us as soon as you know you are pregnant. We aim for your first appointment with a midwife to be when you are around 8 weeks pregnant.

Please register with us by creating a My Pregnancy Notes account. 

You can also find more information on the Speak with a Midwife website.