Life during pregnancy

As soon as you find out you're pregnant, see your GP - advice on what to do and where to find more information about your care in pregnancy

If you use complementary and alternative medicines or therapies, be aware that not all are considered to be safe during pregnancy; for example, some essential oils are not recommended for use while pregnant. Speak with your midwife, GP or obstetrician before you start the use of any complementary and alternative medicine. Click here for more information on complementary and alternative medicine.

Flu and whooping cough in pregnancy can have serious consequences for you and your baby. Both the flu and whooping cough jabs are safe in pregnancy. The flu jab significantly cuts the chance you’ll get flu and the whooping cough jab can protect your baby in the first months of their life

Being pregnant with twins or triplets is different from being pregnant with one baby. Although most of the advice for a healthy pregnancy applies, there are some extra things to bear in mind - where to find more information

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase blood flow to gum tissues, causing sensitivity, bleeding, or swollen gums. This condition is known as pregnancy gingivitis. If left untreated, pregnancy gingivitis may lead to poor pregnancy outcomes, including pre-term birth and low birth weight. The best way to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy is through regular, thorough cleaning and routine dental check-ups. Be sure to contact a dentist If you have any concerns about your teeth and gums. Free NHS dental care should be available to all pregnant women and up to a year after the birth

You can get most vitamins from a balanced diet, but some are especially important during pregnancy. It's recommended to take these vitamins as supplements to ensure you and your baby stay healthy. Recommended vitamin supplements for pregnancy: Folic Acid: Helps reduce the risk of spina bifida, heart or limb defects, and some brain tumors in babies. Pregnant women should take 400 micrograms (µg) of folic acid daily before getting pregnant and continue until 12 weeks of pregnancy. If you didn't take folic acid before pregnancy, start as soon as you know you're expecting. Vitamin D: Helps improve

Pregnancy isn’t the time to try to lose weight, but it isn’t the time to eat more, either - advice on what to do and where to find more information

Deciding where to have your baby is a big decision - your options, and where to find more information.