Planning for pregnancy

Having a baby is a big life change. Planning your pregnancy can help you feel ready to cope with those changes. As well as practical things like finances, where you live and your support network, there are also things you can do to help improve your health and the health of any future pregnancy.

The baby charity Tommy’s has produced a personalised tool that will help you work out where to start with planning a pregnancy and how to get any information or support you might need.

They also have a planning for pregnancy hub, with lots of information covering a range of topics to help you plan your pregnancy.

This includes advice on some of the lifestyle changes that might help improve your fertility, as well as your health and the health of any future pregnancy, like stopping smoking and not drinking alcohol. These changes can also be helpful for any partner in preparing for pregnancy or future parenthood.

Folic acid

If you are planning a pregnancy, it is important to take a folic acid supplement from 3 months before becoming pregnant. If you find out you are pregnant, try to start taking folic acid as soon as possible up to week 12 of pregnancy.

Further information about eating well when planning for, and during, pregnancy

Planning a pregnancy if you have a health condition

If you have a health condition (for example epilepsy, diabetes or congenital heart disease) it’s really important that you plan for pregnancy.

If you are taking medication for your health condition then it is important that you keep taking your medication until you’ve spoken to your healthcare professional. They will explain the safest options for you and the pregnancy you’re planning.

Further information on specific health conditions and planning pregnancy

Planning a pregnancy if you have a mental health condition

Making the decision to start planning for a pregnancy can be an exciting time, but can also bring challenges. With the right care and treatment most women with a mental health condition have healthy babies. If you have, or have had a mental health condition, you should speak to your healthcare professional for support and advice.

If you are taking medication for your mental health condition then it is important that you continue to do so until you’ve spoken to your healthcare professional. They will explain the safest options for you and the pregnancy you’re planning.

Further information on planning a pregnancy with a mental health condition

Mental health and wellbeing

Planning a pregnancy can bring challenges that might be overwhelming at times. Having a good support network around you can be really important before, during and after a pregnancy.

There are different things you can do to help improve your mental wellbeing:

• gentle exercise – like going for a walk or cycle
• eating a healthy, balanced diet
• trying to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night
• yoga, breathing exercises and meditation to help reduce stress

Further information about your mental health and wellbeing

If you find you need some extra support with your mental wellbeing, it can be accessed through your GP practice. Your healthcare professional can talk to you about treatments if you have symptoms that you feel are interfering with your day-to-day life.

Periods and planning a pregnancy

Everyone is different. For some people, it takes time to get pregnant and for others it can happen almost straight away. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead and be prepared for pregnancy before you stop using contraception.

Further information on how long it can take to get pregnant and advice on when to seek further support

Your body’s hormones control the menstrual cycle. When the level of the oestrogen hormone in the body increases, the ovaries will release an egg (ovulation).

In the second half of the cycle, the levels of progesterone hormone will increase and this gets the womb ready for pregnancy.

Further information about your menstrual cycle and what that means for pregnancy

If you have a health condition that affects your period you should speak to your healthcare professional for further support and information. This includes conditions such as:

• endometriosis
• PCOS
• fibroids
• adenomyosis
• ovarian cysts

Planning a pregnancy after a loss

Planning a pregnancy after a loss can be an emotional time but help and support is available at every stage.

Further help and support on pregnancy after a loss

The baby charity Tommy’s have also developed a personalised support tool for anyone planning a pregnancy after a loss to help you get any additional information or support you might need.

There are also a number of organisations which offer further help, advice and support including:

• Tommy’s –Together, for every baby – Charity for Babies
• Held In Our Hearts – providing baby loss counselling and support
• The Miscarriage Association – pregnancy Loss Information & Support
• Sands – Saving babies’ lives. Supporting bereaved families