Pregnancy

Even before you have missed a period, there might be some early symptoms. You might feel tired; your breasts might feel tender or you could get a strange metallic taste in your mouth. At around six to nine weeks of pregnancy, you might start to feel sick or experience other symptoms as your body adjusts to the pregnancy. It can be a challenging time so be kind to yourself and rest as much as possible.

A team of experienced midwives and health visitors are on hand to support you during pregnancy and after you give birth. Book an appointment with your local midwifery team as soon as you know you are pregnant to make sure you get the support you need at this time. You can get in touch with your Health Visiting Team if you need help or are feeling worried about anything.

Sadly, miscarriages are quite common and happen in up to one in four pregnancies. The main symptoms of miscarriage are vaginal bleeding or spotting, with or without abdominal pain or cramping but sometimes there are no obvious signs at all. Having a miscarriage can be distressing and there is no right or wrong way to deal with it. Your GP can provide you with support and advice or The Miscarriage Association offers support to people who have lost a baby. Get urgent help from your midwifery unit straight away if you have any of these symptoms and call 999 if you have severe chest pain, bleeding or are struggling to breath at rest.

It's normal to worry about your baby's health, both during pregnancy and once your baby is born. If you have an existing health condition such as diabetes or epilepsy, ask for advice from your specialist, as you may need to adjust your medication.

Planning to have a baby is an exciting time but it can also be an anxious time for both parents-to-be. You're making plans for a huge change in your life. Your pharmacist, GP or midwife can give you information on a wide range of subjects. You can find more information on ways to keep healthy during pregnancy including giving up smoking and keeping active in our keeping healthy section. There is also lots of information and support online, including pregnancy planning tools as well as online forums to chat with other parents. You can find more support in our mental wellbeing and partners section.

If you have experienced domestic abuse in pregnancy, share your experiences with your midwife or GP as they'll be able to support you and signpost you to other services. You can find more information in our support for domestic abuse section. 

It's a lovely feeling when you first feel your baby move. As the feelings grow you can start to respond to your baby when you feel them kicking. Rub your tummy and you may find that your baby kicks again. You can talk to your bump, touch it and play music for your baby. This is the start of the amazing relationship between the two of you.

Your partner can get involved by stroking or talking to your bump too. This will help them feel more connected to your child and involved in your pregnancy too.

This video from the Institute for Health Visiting has more ways to bond with your baby before they arrive.

The Born to Move app supports you and your child on the amazing journey of development your child goes through from life in the womb all the way to starting school. You can find ways to bond with your baby and encourage their brain to grow. You can add your child's profile and record photos and milestones along the way to look back on, or to share with friends and family. Your local health visitor can also give you ideas to try with your child.

Families in Kent and Medway can access a free online antenatal course called 'Understanding pregnancy, labour, birth and your baby.' This course helps you build a loving and close relationship with your baby even before they arrive. It covers everything you need to know about pregnancy, labour and birth. Use the access code Invicta to register for your free account. This 'Brain Builders' video explains how experiences in the first years of our lives affect how our brains develop.