Pregnancy support
Links to advice and information about pregnancy.
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It is important to have a balanced and healthy lifestyle before and during your pregnancy.
It will help both you and your baby as it:
- promotes optimal growth and development
- supports overall physical and mental well-being
- reduces the risk of complications
Choosing a healthy lifestyle lays a foundation for a lifetime of good health.
Planning a pregnancy
Before you get pregnant, it is important to think about the lifestyle factors that might affect your ability to get pregnant and have a healthy pregnancy. This applies to men too. You are more likely to achieve a pregnancy if both you and your partner are in good health.
Visit the NHS website for advice on planning your pregnancy.
Find advice on health and wellbeing on the Cumberland Council website.
Find out if you’re pregnant
If you are not sure whether you are pregnant or not, you can access free pregnancy testing at a local clinic or buy pregnancy tests from many pharmacies and supermarkets.
If you are aged 25 and under, you can access free testing through your nearest sexual health centre.
The clinics will also be able to support you if you are unhappy about being pregnant and will discuss your options with you.
Pregnancy stages
The NHS has advice on:
You could be entitled to free vitamins
If you're on income-related benefits, or aged 18 and under, you may be entitled to free vitamins while you're pregnant via the Healthy Start scheme (NHS Healthy Start).
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Support to stop smoking
By stopping smoking before or as soon as you get pregnant, you can have a safer pregnancy and a healthier baby.
Alcohol
If you have difficulty stopping drinking, talk to a midwife, doctor or pharmacist.
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Drugs and medication
It is best to talk to a health professional before taking any new drugs or medicines during pregnancy.
Some vaccines are perfectly safe to have during pregnancy and are recommended.
Other vaccines have potential risks, and you need to discuss these with your midwife or GP.
Read more about vaccination in pregnancy on the NHS website.
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Advice and guidance on help with benefits, money and your parental rights.
- Maternity exemption certificates – free NHS prescriptions and dental treatment while you are pregnant
- Check your maternity and parental rights (Citizens Advice website)
- Maternity and paternity benefits and leave (NHS website)
- What benefits can I claim when I'm pregnant or have a baby? (MoneyHelper website)
Advice and guidance to help you prepare for birth is available on the NHS website including: