What to do when you find out you're pregnant

If you have missed a period, now is the time to do a pregnancy test. Pregnancy tests are most reliable from the first day of your missed period¹.

If you’ve recently found out you’re pregnant, congratulations! This is exciting news and you and your partner, if you have one, may want to take some time to absorb this together.

Very soon your thoughts will be turning to what next, and one of the first things you’ll want to work out is your due date. You can use our due date calculator to help you find out.

If you haven’t already started taking folic acid and vitamin D, now is the time to start taking these important pregnancy supplements. 400 mcg of Folic acid daily increases your maternal folate levels to reduce the risk of neural tube defects, including spina bifida. 10mcg of Vitamin D daily, between the months of September and March, is recommended for all pregnant women to keep your bones, teeth and muscles healthy.

We know that not all pregnancies are expected or are happy news. You may feel shocked, confused or upset on finding out you’re pregnant. Your doctor will treat your pregnancy as confidential, even if you are under the age of 16. You will be able to discuss the options available to you, with your GP, and get the support you need.

As soon as you can, and before 8 -10 weeks of pregnancy, it is important to contact your GP surgery and tell them you have conceived. Your GP will then arrange for you to have a first appointment with a midwife (also called booking appointment). You will be offered tests which should be done before 10 weeks of pregnancy. Your midwife will ask you questions about your general health and give you all the antenatal care (the care you receive during your pregnancy) information you need to have a healthy pregnancy.

You are unlikely to notice any symptoms in the first few weeks of pregnancy as symptoms usually start around 4-6 weeks after conception. At this time, you may notice symptoms such as feeling more tired than usual, breast tenderness and feeling sick. During early pregnancy you might start to have strange tastes, smells or cravings and feel the need to pass urine more frequently. These are all common signs in early pregnancy, however as everyone is different, don’t worry if you don’t notice these symptoms.

There is no right or wrong time to share your pregnancy news. This is a personal decision and is based on what feels right for you (and your partner, if you have one). Some people decide to wait until after 12 weeks of pregnancy, as by this time the risk of pregnancy loss has reduced. Others decide to tell friends and family earlier, especially if they feel they need support from those around them.

In this article we have discussed what to do when you first find out you’re pregnant, when you might start to notice pregnancy symptoms and the importance of contacting your GP to arrange to see a midwife for your booking appointment. Your midwife will go through what to expect in the coming weeks and months and answer your questions.

Don’t forget to start taking daily folic acid and vitamin D now and be aware of the foods to avoid during pregnancy. We have also explained why it is important to stop drinking alcohol and to cease smoking if you smoke or vape.

Wishing you a very happy and healthy pregnancy!

Note: If you are worried about being pregnant or about your baby, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor or midwife to talk about your concerns and get the support you need.