Having a safe and healthy pregnancy
Staying healthy and safe during your pregnancy is important for you and your baby.
As well as looking after your own health there are some key things you can do to pick up any possible issues early..
Help your baby stay fit and well
You can help your baby stay fit and well during your pregnancy by:
- attending all of your appointments, and having all of the tests and checks offered
- getting to know your baby’s usual pattern of movements
- being as healthy as you can, including eating a healthy balanced diet and keeping active
- stopping smoking
- having the flu and whooping cough vaccinations
- sleeping on your side in the last 3 months of your pregnancy
- managing any health conditions well
Your antenatal appointments, tests and checks
Some of the tests must be done at specific times, so it’s important not to miss any.
If you can’t get to an appointment, you can rearrange it with your midwife.
More about your antenatal appointments and tests and checks during pregnancy
Reduce your risk of stillbirth
Sadly, four babies a week are stillborn in Scotland and it’s truly devastating for any family to go through.
Sometimes we don’t know the cause, but we do know there are things you can do to reduce the risk of stillbirth:
From 24 weeks of pregnancy, it’s safer to go to sleep on your side to avoid reducing the blood flow to your baby . Don’t worry if you wake up on your back, just go back to lying on your side.
Smoking while pregnant reduces the flow of oxygen to your baby, which increases the risk of stillbirth.
If your baby’s movements change, it could be their way of telling you that something is wrong. If your baby’s movements slow down or stop, please contact your midwife or maternity unit straight away using the emergency contact information given to you.
More about getting to know your baby during pregnancy
Parent Club have launched a campaign to raise awareness of how to reduce your risk of stillbirth. You can find out more on how to reduce your risk of stillbirth.
Manage your health well
If you have a long-term physical or mental health condition before you’re pregnant, make sure it’s well managed and controlled. Speak to your midwife or GP.
More about managing health conditions and looking after your mental wellbeing during pregnancy
Financial support
Make sure that you access the financial support that you’re entitled to. This can make it easier to stay healthy when you’re pregnant or trying for a baby.
Read more about the support to available to help with the cost of living
Further information, other languages and alternative formats
Translations and alternative formats of this information are available from Public Health Scotland.
If you need a different language or format, please contact phs.otherformats@phs.scot
Last updated:
3 November 2023
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