Taking care of you in pregnancy

Your maternity team will support you to stay well during pregnancy and help you understand what is normal and when to ask for help.

Read more about your pregnancy journey.

What you need to know

Health checks and screening

At your antenatal appointments, you will be offered:

• blood tests and urine tests
• screening tests for some conditions
• ultrasound scans at key stages 

Your midwife will explain each test so you can make informed choices.

Looking after your body

Your midwife can give advice on:

• managing tiredness and sickness
• gentle activity and rest
• changes in your body during pregnancy
• taking pregnancy vitamins, including folic acid

Vaccinations in pregnancy

You can help protect yourself and your baby by having:

• whooping cough vaccine
• COVID-19 vaccine
• flu vaccine

Your midwife will explain when and how to get these during pregnancy.

Emotional wellbeing in pregnancy

Pregnancy can affect your emotional health. It is really important to speak up because there are people who can help. 

If you feel low, anxious, or overwhelmed or are struggling with stress or worries, talk to someone. You can talk to:

• your midwife
• your GP
• your health visitor  

Additional support includes:

• specialist perinatal mental health support
• Every Mind Matters and Mind - both provide practical advice specifically for pregnancy
• Oxfordshire’s Health Visiting Service has lots of information on parents' emotional health and physical wellbeing

We all have good and bad days. And remember, it's ok to not be ok.

Video: it's OK to not be OK

Resources and support

The British Nutrition Foundation - information and advice on eating healthily throughout your pregnancy

Healthy Start – check whether you can get help to buy healthy food, milk and vitamins during pregnancy and early childhood

the DadPad app is useful to help dads prepare for parenthood

Lullaby Trust safer sleep advice – Trusted safer sleep guidance to help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Pop into one of our family hubs 

Family hubs are there to support you and your family as it grows in any aspect of family life, starting with feeling well during pregnancy. 

Want to find out more about what comes next? 

Newborns and the first few months - my baby and me.