Pregnancy
What is pregnancy?
Pregnancy occurs when sperm enters the vagina, travels through the cervix and womb to the fallopian tube and fertilises an egg after it has been released from the ovary during ovulation. In a successful pregnancy, the fertilised egg implants into the lining of the uterus. An egg can also be artificially fertilised through a process called IVF.
You’re more likely to get pregnant around the time you are ovulating. This is when an egg becomes ready and you are at your most fertile.
The term ‘pregnancy’ describes the time in which a foetus develops inside the uterus and usually lasts about 40 weeks, or just over nine months, as measured from the last menstrual period to delivery. If you have a regular monthly menstrual cycle, the earliest and most reliable sign of pregnancy is a missed period.
You should see a GP or midwife as soon as you find out you're pregnant, or as early as possible, to ensure that you receive the pregnancy (antenatal) care and information you need to have a healthy pregnancy.
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NOTE: This article/page uses the terms ‘male/man/men’ and/or ‘female/woman/women’. Please note, this is in reference to the sex assigned at birth.
Symptoms & advice
Your body goes through a lot during pregnancy. After all, you’re growing a human! Here, we cover some of the most common ways that pregnancy impacts the body, including early signs, symptoms and changes you may experience throughout.
Everyone’s pregnancy journey is different, so you may not experience all of these symptoms and changes. If you’re worried about any of your symptoms, speak to your GP or midwife for further advice.
If your menstrual cycle is usually regular, missing a period is often one of the earliest signs of pregnancy.
Sometimes, your period may just be a little late, but if it doesn’t arrive after a few days, a pregnancy test can help to confirm if you’re pregnant. Here, we tell you more about how to use a pregnancy test.
Although you won’t get a period while you’re pregnant, some women may experience something known as implantation bleeding in the first few weeks of pregnancy. This can include spotting or losing a small amount of blood, appearing similar to a very light period.
If you’re pregnant and experience any bleeding from your vagina, contact your GP or midwife straight away to get it investigated.
When you become pregnant, your hormones change as your body prepares to grow a baby. As a result of this, your breasts may become bigger, feel sore, similar to how they may feel around your period, and sometimes tingle.
You may also see some changes to their appearance, such as more visible veins and darker nipples that stand out more than before.
Breast tenderness is common during pregnancy. Make sure to wear a properly fitting bra during the day (if your breasts have grown bigger because of pregnancy, then you may need to get fitted for a larger size). You could also try wearing a soft bra to sleep in at night for support and comfort.
If you are experiencing breast pain, speak to your GP for advice.
Feeling tired or even exhausted during pregnancy is common, especially in the first 12 weeks, which can impact your daily life.
Some of the reasons you may feel tired include:
- Hormonal changes
- Carrying extra weight from your growing baby
- Later on in your pregnancy, when you have a bump, you may feel uncomfortable when you lie down, because of your bump, which makes it harder to sleep
- Needing to get up more often in the night to wee, which can disrupt your sleep
Make sure to get plenty of rest when you can, eat a healthy diet to help you get all the vitamins and nutrients you need. If you are struggling to get all the vitamins and nutrients from your diet, you could consider supplements designed for use in pregnancy.
Here, you can find further advice about how to sleep well during pregnancy, including bump-friendly sleeping positions.
According to the NHS, around eight out of 10 pregnant women experience sickness during their pregnancy.** This is most widely known as ‘morning sickness’ but it can happen at any time of the day or night, and includes nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (being sick) or both.
For most, morning sickness should improve or stop by around weeks 16 to 20, but for some women, it lasts longer.
To help ease morning sickness, you can try some simple lifestyle changes including:
- Drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, and sipping these little and often to help stave off vomiting
- Getting plenty of rest
- Steering clear of foods that make you feel sick
Here, we tell you more about coping with morning sickness.
A smaller number of women experience a more severe form of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). This may require hospital treatment. If you’re vomiting frequently and can’t keep food down, speak to your GP or midwife as soon as possible who can advise you on treatment options.
One of the earliest signs of pregnancy is needing to urinate (wee) more often. This can continue later into pregnancy where it’s often caused by the baby’s head pressing on your bladder.
During the daytime, make sure you know where your nearest toilets are, especially if you’re going to be out of the house for a long period of time.
You may find you need to get up to wee during the night, which can disrupt your sleep and make you more tired. Try to get rest during the day where you can and avoid drinking too close to bedtime. Instead, stay hydrated with plenty of non-caffeinated and non-alcoholic drinks during the day.
If you experience any pain or a burning sensation while weeing, or notice blood in your wee, this could be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI), and you should speak to your GP or midwife for advice on treatment options.
During the early days of pregnancy, hormonal changes can sometimes cause constipation. To help prevent this, the NHS advises trying to:
- Eat high-fibre foods such as fruit, vegetables, wholemeal bread, cereals, nuts and pulses, like beans and lentils
- Drink lots of water throughout the day
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid iron supplements as these can cause constipation (or, if your GP advises you need to take these, ask them if you can change to a different type)
Pregnancy changes your life in many ways including possible changes to your behaviour, habits and lifestyle choices.
Although this is not an exhaustive list, some common changes may include:
- Eating habits - you may no longer like foods you used to, experience new cravings, or need to avoid or be careful with certain foods
- Sleeping habits - you may find it harder to get to sleep, have disrupted sleep or need to take naps during the day to compensate for this (some may find they sleep more due to feeling tiredness during the day)
- Emotional changes - pregnancy hormones can affect your emotions, including experiencing mood swings and feeling more tearful and easily irritated. We cover more detail about emotions and mental health below
- Lifestyle choices - you should avoid drinking alcohol and smoking if you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant, and limit caffeine intake to no more than 200mg per day
You will also need to make time in your life for things like appointments, antenatal classes (such as My Expert Midwife Antenatal Classes), making a birth plan and preparing for your baby’s arrival.
Antenatal depression
Some women can experience depression during pregnancy. This is called antenatal depression. With help and support, most women with antenatal depression can manage the condition. If not treated, antenatal depression symptoms can get worse and continue after the baby is born (postnatal depression).
Antenatal depression signs and symptoms include:
- Feeling sad, low, or tearful a lot of the time
- Feeling irritable, or getting angry easily
- Losing interest in other people and the world around you
- Not wanting to eat or eating more than usual
- Negative thoughts, such as worrying you will not be able to look after your baby
- Feeling guilty, hopeless, or blaming yourself for your problems
- Having problems concentrating or making decisions
It is normal to experience mood changes, and feeling tired or irritable during pregnancy. However, if you feel low and hopeless, you should talk to a midwife or GP.
You should speak to your GP or midwife as soon as possible if you believe you might have antenatal depression. They may recommend self-help tips to improve your mood, such as trying calming breathing exercises for when you feel overwhelmed and increasing physical activity levels, when possible, to help improve mood and sleep. Your GP may also recommend a self-help course or refer you for therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy or counselling. Alternatively, you may be recommended to take antidepressant medicines should not want to use psychological therapy, or if therapy wasn’t effective.
Postnatal depression
Postnatal depression is a common problem, affecting more than one in every 10 women within a year of giving birth.
After giving birth, many people experience a common occurrence often called the 'baby blues'. Within this stage, you can feel a bit down, tearful, or anxious. The ‘baby blues’ do not last for more than two weeks after giving birth. If your symptoms last longer than two weeks, or start later than usual, you could have postnatal depression.
Signs can develop gradually and start any time in the first year after giving birth, which results in many people not realising they have postnatal depression. The signs displayed by someone experiencing depression could be:
- A persistent feeling of sadness and low mood
- A lack of enjoyment and loss of interest in the wider world
- A lack of energy and feeling tired all the time
- Trouble sleeping at night and feeling sleepy during the day
- Finding it difficult to look after yourself and your baby
- Withdrawing from contact with other people
- Problems concentrating and making decisions
- Frightening thoughts, for example, about hurting your baby
If you think you may be depressed you should speak to a GP, midwife, or health visitor as soon as possible.
Postnatal depression is often described as being lonely, distressing, and frightening. Midwives and health visitors have been trained to recognise postnatal depression and have techniques that can help.
There are several treatments for postnatal depression such as self-help techniques, attending psychological therapy and in more severe cases where other treatments have not helped, antidepressants.
There is no clear cause of postnatal depression, however, having a history of mental health problems before and during pregnancy, experiencing recent stressful life events or having a difficult relationship with your partner can make you more likely to have postnatal depression.
You must contact a GP or call 111 immediately if you are having frightening thoughts about hurting your baby, thinking about suicide and self-harm, or develop unusual beliefs or hallucinations.
Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG)
Some pregnant women experience very bad nausea and vomiting. They might be sick multiple times a day and unable to keep food or drink down, which can impact their daily life. This excessive nausea and vomiting is known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).
Signs and symptoms of HG include:
- Prolonged and severe nausea and vomiting
- Being dehydrated (symptoms include feeling thirsty, tired, dizzy or lightheaded, not peeing very much, and having dark yellow and strong-smelling wee)
- Weight loss
- Low blood pressure (hypotension) when standing
Unlike regular morning sickness, HG may not get better by 16 to 20 weeks. It may not clear up completely until the baby is born. Read the NHS information on severe vomiting in pregnancy here.
You should see your GP or midwife if you have severe nausea and vomiting. Getting help early can help you avoid dehydration and weight loss. There are other conditions that can cause nausea and vomiting, and your doctor will need to rule these out first.
During pregnancy, it’s important to eat a healthy and balanced diet to help look after you and your baby. You may find you feel hungrier than usual, but eating the right foods can help keep you feeling full. There are some food you should avoid during pregnancy, such as some cheeses, meats and fish (read more information from NHS Living Well here. Try to incorporate the following types of food into your daily diet:
- At least five portions of fruit and veg
- Starchy foods such as bread, rice, potatoes and cereal
- Protein-rich foods such as beans, nuts, fish and meat (avoiding liver)
- Dairy such as milk, cheese (avoiding soft cheese) and yoghurt or dairy alternatives, such as calcium-fortified soya drinks and yoghurt
- Healthy snacks, if needed in between meals, such as hummus with wholemeal pitta, or carrot, celery and cucumber sticks
The majority of foods and drinks are safe to have during pregnancy, but here’s some more information about what’s safe to eat during pregnancy. It’s recommended to avoid alcohol and to limit caffeine to no more than 200mg per day (equivalent to about two cups of tea or instant coffee).
Usually, you can get all the vitamins and minerals you need from eating a healthy, balanced diet. However, it’s recommended to take the following vitamins around the time of pregnancy, which is an important way to support you and your baby:
- A daily supplement of 400 micrograms of folic acid should be taken from before you're pregnant (when you’re trying to conceive) until you're 12 weeks pregnant
- A daily supplement of 10 micrograms of vitamin D should be taken between September and March (if you have dark skin or you cover your skin a lot, you may need to consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement all year round - speak to your GP, midwife or Boots pharmacist for further advice)
- Too much vitamin A (also known as retinol) could be harmful for your baby, so don’t take any supplements or multivitamins containing vitamin A.
- Avoid cod liver oil supplements and eating liver or liver products such as pâté, as these contain vitamin A
Here’s our full range of pregnancy supplements. Your local Boots pharmacist can advise further on vitamins and supplements during pregnancy.
You may be wondering if it’s safe to exercise during pregnancy. The answer is yes, it won’t harm your baby. Regular physical activity can help to keep you fit and healthy, boost your mood and help you cope with the physical effects of labour. But always check with your midwife before taking up something new or if you have any concerns.
It’s best to stick to your normal level of exercise from before you were pregnant rather than taking up something new. Whether you like walking, running, swimming, yoga or dancing, you can keep up exercise for as long as you feel comfortable, but be mindful that you may need to slow down the further along your pregnancy you get or if your maternity team advises you to.
Most exercises are safe, but the NHS recommends to avoid:
- Contact sports, such as kickboxing or judo, because there’s a risk of being hit
- Lying flat on your back, especially after 16 weeks, because it can make you feel faint
- Scuba diving because there’s no way to protect your baby from decompression sickness and gas bubbles in the bloodstream (gas embolism)
- Exercising at heights over 2,500m above sea level because you and your baby could be at risk of altitude sickness
They also recommend taking caution with exercises that involve a risk of falling, such as horse riding and cycling. If you take any exercise classes, make sure your instructor is properly qualified and knows you’re pregnant.
If you’re planning to give birth in a hospital, then it’s a good idea to pack some hospital bag essentials for you and your baby at least three weeks before your due date, so you’re fully prepared for labour and the arrival of your baby.
Here are some of the most important things to remember:
- Your birth plan and medical notes
- Toiletries, such as your toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and your favourite moisturiser
- Nightie or t-shirt for labour
- Outfits and baby towels for your baby
- Changing essentials, such as nappies and cotton wool
- Feeding essentials, such as breast pads, a breastfeeding pillow and a maternity bra
- Car seat - you won’t be able to leave the hospital without it
See our handy checklist for a full list of things to pack in your hospital bag.
If the big day is coming up, then it’s recommended to have a few things prepared in advance to help things go as smoothly as possible during labour and after the birth.
Antenatal classes are a good way to prepare for your baby’s birth. They’re free on the NHS and can help you learn how to look after yourself and your baby during and after pregnancy. It’s worth enquiring about these early in your pregnancy as classes can get booked up quickly. Your GP or midwife can tell you more about classes near you. To find out more, visit the NHS antenatal class information page here.
Alternatively, you can can pay to access online antenatal classes and workshops from our Boots Health Hub provider My Expert Midwife.**
If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis or are at risk of harming yourself or others, please call 111, speak to your GP or the Samaritans on 116 123, or text Shout on 85258.
Hormonal changes in pregnancy can cause heightened emotions. For some, this goes beyond things like mood swings or being more tearful than usual, and you may experience mental health problems such as:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Tokophobia - intense fear of giving birth
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - flashbacks, nightmares or intense distress which, in pregnancy, may relate to experiences in previous pregnancies or births
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Panic disorder - feelings of sudden fear and panic
- Difficulties coping with changes to your body during pregnancy, particularly if you’ve previously had an eating disorder
Mental health problems can arise during pregnancy and in the period after birth for many reasons. Sometimes, it’s because a past problem has resurfaced. In other cases, pregnancy can be the first time you experience mental health problems. Some of the reasons may include:
- Finding it difficult to cope with changes in your life and relationships, such as becoming a mother and stopping work
- Being alone or not receiving enough support from those around you
- Fear of problems with the pregnancy or baby
- Finding it difficult to cope with physical symptoms of pregnancy or experiencing problems during your pregnancy
If you’re experiencing mental health problems during pregnancy, it’s important to seek medical advice straight away. Speak to your GP for further support. They may recommend things such as:
- Talking therapies
- Medication
- Support from charities
You may also find it helpful to talk things through with friends and family, do physical activity to help boost your mood, or eat a varied and balanced diet. Here are some tips for mindfulness during pregnancy.
If you choose to breastfeed, your first feed may be an exciting moment, but it can be difficult to get the hang of breastfeeding at the start. Don’t worry though as your midwife or other healthcare professional in hospital should be able to help you with this, and you and your baby will find a rhythm that works for you in time.
Learning about breastfeeding before giving birth can help you feel more confident. This is often covered in antenatal classes which you can access for free on the NHS. Alternatively, you can pay to access a breastfeeding workshop** online hosted by our Boots Health Hub provider My Expert Midwife, where you will learn more about breastfeeding.
Depending on the circumstances of the birth, your first feed could be within the first few hours of your baby's arrival. Or, if your baby needs to spend time getting medical attention, a midwife will help you have bonding time and show you how to express your milk until your baby can breastfeed.
It’s a good idea to have some breastfeeding essentials ready in your hospital bag or home birth kit, such as:
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You should speak to your midwife or GP before using any of these products
Learn more about pregnancy
Frequently asked questions
Pre-eclampsia is a condition that causes high blood pressure and protein in the urine in some pregnant women, either during their pregnancy (usually from 20 weeks, the second trimester) or soon after the baby is born. These early signs should be picked up during your routine antenatal appointments.
But sometimes further symptoms develop and can include:
- Severe headaches
- Vision problems, such as blurring or seeing flashing lights
- Pain just below the ribs
- Vomiting
- Sudden swelling of the feet, ankles, face and hands
If you notice any symptoms of pre-eclampsia, seek medical advice immediately by calling your midwife, GP surgery or NHS 111. If left untreated, the condition can cause complications to both mother and baby, so it’s very important to take action if you are experiencing any of the symptoms - the earlier pre-eclampsia is diagnosed, the better the outlook for mother and baby. The NHS has more information on pre-eclampsia here.
If you need pain relief, paracetamol is usually the pain relief of choice in pregnancy. It’s generally recommended that pregnant women use the lowest dose of paracetamol that works, and only for as long as needed. For the recommended dose, always follow the instructions on the paracetamol packet or enclosed leaflet.
Speak to your pharmacist, GP or midwife if you’re unsure whether you should take paracetamol, paracetamol is not helping with your pain or if you have any concerns. You can browse the Boots range of paracetamol here.
When you’re pregnant, you’re likely to have more vaginal discharge than before pregnancy, and it can help reduce your risk of infections travelling up from the vagina to the womb. It’s normal for vaginal discharge to increase towards the end of pregnancy. You may notice that it contains streaks of sticky, jelly-like pink mucus, also referred to as a 'show' in the last week of your pregnancy. This signifies that your body is starting to prepare for birth.
Contact your midwife or GP if you have vaginal discharge and it smells unpleasant or strange, is green or yellow, you feel itchy or sore around your vagina, or you have pain when you pass urine. Any of these symptoms can be the symptoms of a vaginal infection, so it’s important to seek medical advice if you experience these symptoms.
If you experience any bleeding during pregnancy, speak to your GP or midwife immediately.
Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar (glucose) that develops during pregnancy. Although it can happen during any stage of pregnancy, it’s more common in the second or third trimester. Gestational diabetes usually clears after the baby is born.
If you’re at high risk of developing gestational diabetes, you’ll be offered screening for the condition during your pregnancy.
Gestational diabetes can cause complications for you and your baby during pregnancy and after birth. But the risks can be reduced if the condition is detected early and well managed. The NHS has more information on gestational diabetes here.
Colostrum harvesting is the process of expressing and collecting the first breast milk your body makes - this milk is called colostrum. The process involves collecting colostrum via a syringe, which can be done from week 37 of pregnancy. The colostrum can then be stored or frozen ahead of the birth.
Only small amounts of colostrum are needed to support the development of babies as it’s high in calories and full of antibodies for their immune system. Check with your midwife if you’re considering harvesting your colostrum, as it’s not suitable for everyone and in some cases isn’t recommended.
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* Compared to Folic Acid, L-methylfolate is a form of folate which is ready to be used directly by your body. Supplemental Folic Acid intake increases the maternal folate level. A low maternal folate level is a risk factor in the development of neural tube defects in the unborn baby. Women are therefore advised to take 400 μg of supplemental folic acid daily for at least one month prior to and up to three months after conception.
** Source: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/complications/severe-vomiting/
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The language surrounding sex, gender, and sexuality is always evolving, and different people have different views on the words that should be used. Therefore, we only mention sex, gender or sexuality when it's relevant, such as when providing our customers with the correct health information and treatment they need. We try to follow the NHS guidance for healthcare providers. You can find that here.
Pregnancy and maternity can be exciting, but daunting, times in our lives, so Boots Health Hub is the place to go for all things pregnancy health. Explore all the pregnancy advice, tips and services we have right here, and learn all about postpartum care. When your baby has arrived, we can also help you with any post-pregnancy or maternity questions you might want answered.
