Some key terms that you may hear when discussing your pregnancy journey are:
- 'Antenatal' or 'pre-natal' meaning 'before birth'
- 'Postnatal' or 'postpartum' meaning 'after birth'
- 'Perinatal' refers to the period of time when you become pregnant and up to a year after giving birth.
Guide to pregnancy
Best Start in Life - Pregnancy is an online resource providing a complete guide. From early pregnancy signs and symptoms, to getting ready for labour and birth. Get tips on coping with morning sickness, choosing where to give birth, what to buy for your new-born and plenty more.
Financial support
Find information about Maternity Allowance to prepare for your income whilst on maternity leave.
With Healthy Start, once you are more than 10 weeks pregnant, you can apply for money to help you buy healthy food, milk, and vitamins.
Midwifery and Antenatal Care
See a GP or midwife as soon as you find out you're pregnant. It's important to see a midwife or GP as early as possible and preferably before 10 weeks of pregnancy to get the pregnancy (antenatal) care and information you need to have a healthy pregnancy. If you are not already registered with a GP, search for your local one. Alternatively you can contact your local Maternity Unitdirectly.
The Health in Pregnancy Service supports pregnant women to ensure they have a healthy pregnancy, providing information about lifestyle, diet, vitamins, vaccines and beyond.
The NHS have created a 'what to expect' page dedicated to explaining what to expect after labour. You'll find a video on this page where a Midwife takes you through the stages you may experience.
Health Visitors
Your Health Visiting service, part of B&NES Child and Family Health, is available to all families who have children under the age of 5 years. Health visitors play a vital role in supporting and aiding expectant or new mothers and their families with any needs that may impact their health and wellbeing. They provide evidence-based advice, information, and support to empower parents in caring for their children and play a significant role in ensuring that all children have the best possible start in life. Your midwife will refer you for an antenatal contact with your health visitor between 28-36 weeks.
With your Health Visitor, you can share thoughts, feelings and experiences about being a parent. They have the professional experience to support you through any worries you may have, and may be able to support you with:
- Infant feeding and introducing family foods
- Understanding your baby’s behaviour and how they are developing
- Adjusting to becoming a parent
- Family life and difficulties such as postnatal depression
- Healthy choices such as lifestyle, eating or immunisations
- Home safety, discussing housing concerns, domestic abuse or child abuse
They also provide a free app which you can download through their website.
Contact the Health Visiting team via the Single Point of Access (SPA) on 0300 247 0055, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
The Family Nurse Partnership, from B&NES Child and Family Health, is a voluntary programme for young women who are expecting their first baby.
Last updated: 8 September 2026