Congratulations. Welcome to your pregnancy!

Once your pregnancy is confirmed, it’s important to decide what health professional LMC (Lead Maternity Carer) you would like to support you during your journey, most families in New Zealand use a midwife, but your GP may also be able to support you.

Find your midwife (link below) is a great place to start. Talk to your friends and family as they may be able to recommend one. Find a midwife that is a good match for you and your needs. 

Eating the right foods, knowing what food and drink to avoid, regular exercise and quitting smoking and alcohol are all important if you are to increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy.

You don’t need to ‘eat for two’ you just need to have more of the nutrients your baby needs for their healthy development, and fewer foods that are high in salt, sugar and fat. Others have too much vitamin A or mercury, which can harm your baby.

There are some foods you should not eat when you’re pregnant because they might make you ill or harm your baby. Some foods carry a small risk of infections, such as toxoplasmosis (infection) or listeriosis (infection) and salmonella (food poisoning).

Pregnancy can mean the beginning of a new stage in your life. People talk about obvious ones – cravings, fatigue, nausea, body shape – but there may also situations like negotiating new working arrangements and perhaps reworking finances.

As well as physical, financial and social changes, many women experience emotional changes during pregnancy too. Mixed emotions are a normal and necessary part of preparing to become a parent. Mental health problems can affect woman during pregnancy. Talking about your feelings can be the first step towards feeling better. It’s very important to look after yourself and recognise if you are finding it difficult to manage from day to day. If you have been feeling sad, down, worried or anxious for a while and this is starting to affect your life, it’s time to seek help.

Your body has a great deal to do during pregnancy. Sometimes the changes taking place will cause irritation or discomfort, and on occasions they may seem quite alarming, if you are concerned with anything get in touch with your LMC. You will be visited with various kinds of discomforts during pregnancy, some fleeting, some more permanent. Some may occur in the early weeks, while others emerge closer to the time of delivery. Others may appear early and then go away, only to return later. Some common discomforts that women can have during the early stages of their pregnancy include fatigue, stretch marks, nausea and vomiting, skin changes, vaginal discharge and constipation.

Tell your midwife or doctor if there is anything that you're worried about. Do not worry if you've talked about it before and don't be concerned about whether you're wasting anyone's time. This is your pregnancy and it's important to trust your own instincts if you feel something isn't right. Do not rely on advice from family members, friends or the internet. Your LMC will be happy to talk to you about your concerns and will do everything necessary to reassure you.