Pregnancy can be a time of many changes to your body and lifestyle. Finding out how to stay physically and mentally healthy during this time can improve your pregnancy experience.

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About pregnancy

It is normal to worry about childbirth, your baby’s health and becoming a parent. Early pregnancy discomforts like morning sickness, constipation, heartburn, back pain, vaginal thrush and frequent urination are common. If they become more severe or are concerning, talk to your midwife or doctor.

Good health before pregnancy boosts your chances of a healthy pregnancy and baby and reduces the risk of complications. For further information, visit our page on fertility:

Appointments, tests and scans

Maternity Matters Dorset has a useful list of appointments, tests and scans that you will need during your pregnancy:

Vaccinations

Dorset has a free vaccination programme for pregnant people. It’s important that vaccines are given on time to give you and your baby the best protection.

Antenatal care

Maternity Matters Dorset have a wealth of information about looking after your body after you have had a baby:

Healthier Together has more information about antenatal care and screening:

Vitamins in pregnancy – Our Dorset health videos

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How to live well

Pregnancy and parenthood can be difficult. Sleep deprivation, disrupted routines and financial stress can make small things seem overwhelming. Be kind to yourself and let people around you know if you are struggling.

Breast health

Your breasts will change after having a baby.

For further information on healthy breasts, visit our page on breast health:

Dental care

Hormone changes can affect your teeth and gums, so let your dentist know if you are pregnant. You are entitled to free NHS dental treatment and check-ups during pregnancy and for the 12 months after giving birth:

Mental health

It’s normal to experience occasional mood swings, stress, anxiety and worries during pregnancy.

Dorset Maternal Mental Health Service is a specialist service available to support women experiencing pregnancy-related fear, trauma or loss:

Worries and mood swings after being pregnant are normal. However, if feelings of hopelessness, sadness, anxiety become persistent, overwhelming, or significantly impact your daily life, talk to your midwife or doctor.

For further information on women’s mental health:

Pelvic health

Being pregnant puts extra pressure on the organs and muscles in and around the bottom of your pelvis. If your pelvic floor muscles are strong, you have better bladder and bowel control.

For further information on healthy pelvic floor muscles, visit our page on pelvic health:

Sex and contraception

Deciding when to have sex after childbirth can be difficult, and your decision may depend on the birth, your recovery and whether you’re breastfeeding.

It’s important you use contraception if you don’t want another baby right away, as you can become pregnant about 21 days after giving birth. The NHS website has useful information on sex and contraception after giving birth:

For further information on sexual health and contraception:

For further information on how to live well, visit Live Well Dorset:

Pregnancy and mental health

Although anyone can experience mental health problems during or after pregnancy, some mothers are at greater risk of becoming unwell and less likely to receive the care they need. This is particularly true for women of colour, young mothers, and those experiencing multiple challenges such as domestic abuse, poverty, insecure housing and addiction.

Antenatal depression

Antenatal depression is a type of depression seen during pregnancy. Symptoms include a very low mood, tearfulness and irritability.

Dorset has specialist mental health teams to support people who are pregnant or who have just given birth and are experiencing serious mental health symptoms. These services generally require a referral from your doctor.

Postnatal depression

Postnatal depression is a type of depression seen after giving birth. It’s a deeper and longer-term depression than the ‘baby blues’, which is a brief period of low mood that happens three to ten days after giving birth. Postnatal depression usually develops within six weeks after having a baby.

Postpartum psychosis

Postpartum psychosis can affect someone soon after having a baby. It is a serious mental illness with symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, mania, depression or confusion and should be treated as a mental health emergency.

Perinatal OCD and anxiety

Perinatal OCD and anxiety is a more serious condition than worrying about your baby’s wellbeing. If you start to experience obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours that affect your daily life you may have perinatal OCD.

Birth trauma and PTSD

Birth trauma and PTSD can happen when you go through a frightening, stressful or distressing event related to giving birth. Sometimes labour or birth can be traumatic and cause PTSD. This may be because of a painful birth or unplanned or emergency treatment.

Symptoms can include flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, nightmares and physical symptoms like pain, nausea and trembling.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings, ranging from periods of intense highs (mania or hypomania) to periods of deep lows (depression). Women with bipolar disorder may experience illness during pregnancy, but they are especially at risk of becoming unwell after childbirth.

Baby loss

The loss of a baby at any stage of pregnancy is an extremely distressing experience, and you will need support. Dorset Maternity Services have teams of midwives who specialise in providing support and advice to those who have lost a baby, either during their pregnancy or after birth.

Local services

If you have any concerns during or after pregnancy, speak to your midwife, GP or healthcare professional for advice and support.

If you think you are in labour or have urgent concerns, call the Dorset Maternity Advice Line on 0300 369 0388.

If you are experiencing severe mental health symptoms call NHS 111, option 2 to be connected with mental health professionals for urgent, non-life-threatening mental health support.

Services in Dorset

Mental health

If you are struggling with your mental health during or after pregnancy, speak to your midwife, GP or healthcare professional and they can refer you to the support you need, which might be a specialist service.

SPRING offers free support to anyone who has been affected by pregnancy loss in Dorset:

Pelvic health

Maternity Matters has information and support for pelvic floor symptoms and pelvic and back pain:

Charities and support groups