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What to do when you first find out you're pregnant, including how to start your NHS pregnancy care and how to keep as healthy as possible.
It's important to tell the NHS as soon as possible after you find out you're pregnant.
This is so you can get the care and information you need to help keep you and your baby as healthy as possible.
You can do this by referring yourself for NHS pregnancy care.
Find out how to refer yourself for NHS pregnancy care
If you have a long-term health condition or are taking medicine, you also need to see a GP or specialist as soon as possible to discuss any changes to your care or medicine.
If you're not sure how you feel about being pregnant, there is support and information to help.
You can use the due date calculator to help you work out when your baby might be born.
This is known as your estimated date of delivery (EDD).
take the recommended vitamins and supplements during pregnancy, such as folic acid and vitamin D
ask your midwife or GP about the maternity exemption (MATEX) certificate – this gives you free NHS prescriptions and free dental care
find out about safe medicines in pregnancy and which medicines to avoid
have a healthy pregnancy diet
know which foods to avoid in pregnancy
do some safe pregnancy exercise
learn about vaccinations in pregnancy to protect the health of you and your baby
take steps to look after your mental health in pregnancy
do not drink alcohol while pregnant – if you need help, your midwife or GP can get you the right support
do not smoke – you can get support to stop smoking in pregnancy
do not stop taking medicine that's been prescribed without talking with a doctor
do not take illegal drugs in pregnancy – if you need help, your midwife or GP can get you the right support
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Content last reviewed by the NHS: 03 February 2029
Content last collected from the NHS: 07 August 2026
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