You're pregnant! What now?

• See your GP. If you have only confirmed your pregnancy with a home test kit, make an appointment with your doctor who can confirm the pregnancy with a urine test. You will then be referred to the local midwife team attached to a nearby hospital. When you see your doctor you can ask what your care options are – most doctors will refer you to the nearest hospital offering maternity services, but there may be another choice you’d prefer which is still near enough to be worth considering.

• Get a prescription exemption card. When your pregnancy has been confirmed ask your doctor’s surgery about the FW8 form which allows you to receive all prescription medication for free during pregnancy and the 12 months after your baby is born. This applies to all medicines even if they are not linked to your pregnancy, and to some dental treatment.

• Look after yourself. The earliest weeks are unfortunately the most common for miscarriage. Often there is little that any woman can do about early miscarriage, but do try not to overexert yourself in the first trimester. You will also feel noticeably more tired in the early weeks. This is completely normal so just listen to your body and take plenty of rest and even daytime naps if you can.

• The right diet. You should already have stopped smoking and/or drinking alcohol. If you haven’t already then stop immediately, and cut down on caffeine, sugary drinks and food and drink with too many additives. For more, see 10 steps to a good pregnancy diet. If you have been taking recreational drugs, stop immediately. If you are worried about anything you may have taken before you knew you were pregnant speak to you GP to put your mind at rest.

• Medication. If you are taking medicine for an ongoing condition speak to your GP in case your medication needs to be altered. DO NOT stop taking the medication you already have in the meantime.

• Spreading the news. Legally you don’t have to tell your employer that you are pregnant for months yet and, unless morning sickness makes it necessary to let your office know you are expecting, there is no hurry. Some women like to tell everyone immediately, others prefer to keep the new between themselves and their partner until they have had their first scans and tests (usually between weeks 10 and 16). It’s up to you what you want to do.

• Relax. If you have your diet do’s and don’t sorted and you can get plenty of rest, don’t spend the first few weeks thinking about all that lies ahead – as you go through pregnancy there will be plenty of time to prepare for the next step as it approaches.