Pregnancy: What to Expect and Where to Find Reliable Information

Updated

Pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks from the first day of your last period and is usually organised into three trimesters, with antenatal appointments scheduled throughout. For trustworthy, evidence-based information, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) publishes patient information leaflets, and NHS maternity services provide local guidance. The overview below explains the typical timeline, common symptoms, warning signs, and how to contact your maternity team.

The three trimesters at a glance

Stage Weeks What typically happens
First trimester 0–13 Confirmation of pregnancy, booking appointment with a midwife, dating scan around 11–14 weeks, screening tests offered
Second trimester 14–27 Mid-pregnancy scan around 18–21 weeks, first movements felt, antenatal checks on blood pressure and urine
Third trimester 28–birth More frequent appointments, monitoring of growth and position, birth planning discussions

Appointment schedules vary by country and local service. Your midwife or maternity unit will tell you exactly what is offered where you live.

Common symptoms and what they usually mean

  • Nausea and vomiting – often early in pregnancy and usually settles; persistent vomiting that prevents eating or drinking needs medical advice.
  • Tiredness – very common, especially in the first and third trimesters.
  • Heartburn and indigestion – common as pregnancy progresses.
  • Backache and pelvic pain – common; physiotherapy and support belts may help.
  • Swelling of the feet and ankles – often normal, but sudden or one-sided swelling needs checking.

Warning signs: when to seek urgent advice

Contact your midwife, GP, or maternity unit promptly if you experience:

  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Severe or persistent abdominal pain
  • Severe headache, visual disturbances, or sudden swelling of the face and hands
  • Reduced or changed fetal movements after 24 weeks
  • Fever, painful urination, or fluid leaking from the vagina
  • Persistent vomiting or inability to keep fluids down

If you are worried about your own or your baby's health at any point, call your maternity unit — do not wait for your next appointment.

Lifestyle and safety basics

  • Take folic acid (usually 400 micrograms daily) before conception and in early pregnancy, and vitamin D as advised.
  • Avoid alcohol and smoking; ask your midwife for support to stop smoking if needed.
  • Eat a varied diet and avoid foods with a known listeria or toxoplasmosis risk, such as unpasteurised soft cheeses and undercooked meat.
  • Keep active with moderate exercise unless your clinician advises otherwise.
  • Check any medicines, including over-the-counter ones, with a pharmacist, midwife, or doctor.

Where to find reliable information

  • RCOG patient information leaflets – plain-language guidance on conditions and procedures in pregnancy, available to search and browse on the RCOG website.
  • NHS maternity resources – local trust websites and the NHS website cover appointment schedules and local services.
  • Your midwife and maternity unit – the first point of contact for questions about your own care.

Be cautious with information from forums or social media; check any claim against RCOG or NHS sources before acting on it.

When and how to contact your maternity team

  • Routine questions – raise them at your next antenatal appointment or with your named midwife.
  • New or worsening symptoms – call your maternity triage line or GP the same day.
  • Emergencies – such as heavy bleeding, severe pain, or collapse – call emergency services.

Keep your maternity unit's contact number saved in your phone from your booking appointment onwards.