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The 20-week screening scan looks for some physical abnormalities in the baby. Find out what happens at this screening scan, whether you have to have it, and what to expect if the scan shows a possible problem.

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Private screening blood test for:
*Down's syndrome
*Edwards' syndrome
*Patau's syndrome
*Fetal sex

Pre booked appointments ONLY via specialist midwives - 01895 279 453

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Available in 12 different languages

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STFYAYB provides information about the screening tests offered during and after pregnancy.

Details

This information is about the screening tests you will be offered during your pregnancy and after your baby is born. It explains the different types of test and what the tests are looking for.

Easy read versions of this leaflet are available. Additional information is also available for parents of babies who are in a special care baby unit, neonatal intensive care unit or paediatric intensive care unit.

We hope this advice will help prepare you for discussions with your midwife or doctor so that you can ask the questions that are important to you.

It is your decision whether or not to have any of the tests described.

In this publication, we use the terms 'woman' and 'women' to refer to anyone able to become pregnant, including trans men. Trans men who are pregnant should be offered the same antenatal and newborn screening tests as other pregnant individuals.

The information is available in 12 other languages: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Somali and Urdu.

See how to print digital leaflets if you want to print any sections of this guidance.

Free printed copies of this leaflet are also provided for local screening providers to give to women who cannot access the internet. Screening services can view the full PDF of the printed leaflet and order printed copies on the APS online ordering portal (requires login).

Contact the screening helpdesk with any queries about this publication, making sure you include its full title.

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Screening tests for you and your baby (STFYAYB)

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STFYAYB provides information about the screening tests offered during and after pregnancy.

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Click here to access our Infant feeding padlet for help with preparing to feed your baby

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You are able to self refer on the following email address:

thh.hillingdonhomebirthteam@nhs.net

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You are able to self refer on the following email address:

thh.hillingdonhomebirthteam@nhs.net

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You are able to self refer on the following email address:

thh.hillingdonhomebirthteam@nhs.net

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If you have a scan related query or to change your scan appointment, please contact: 

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If you have a scan related query or to change your scan appointment, please contact: 

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thh.antenatalultrasound@nhs.net
or
01895 279 905

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Please note: We are unable to guarantee that a female sonographer will be available at scans

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Please note: We are unable to guarantee that a female sonographer will be available at scans

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If a female sonographer is not available, and you do not wish to be scanned by a male, then your scan will be rebooked for another day

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Pages include:

Parent education

Pelvic health

Infant feeding

Multiple pregnancy

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See all the wonderful things Hillingdon Maternity has made

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Videos available in:
Dari, Gujarati, Mirpuri, Punjabi, Slovak and Urdu

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Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

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Available in:
19 languages

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TRANSLATED HEALTH INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS - Doctors of the World

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Below you will be able to find a series of resources addressing common questions including how to register with a GP, COVID 19 and the vaccine as well as keeping Read More

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Available in:
Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish

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Female genital mutilation (FGM) includes procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

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Available in:
18 different languages

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Translated Kicks Count Leaflets

We know pregnant women need accurate information about their baby's movement,

whatever language they speak.

4.2 million people in the UK (7.7%) speak a main language that's not English or Welsh. So you can give up-to-date information directly to the women you care for, our trusted information is available for you to view, download and print in many different languages below.

Need a language not listed here? Email us on: [email protected]
The certified translations are to ISO 9001 standard by Global Voices.
Translated Kicks Count Posters

Perfect for antenatal, scan and GP waiting rooms, the languages featured in our brand new posters have been prioritised based on general demand. These posters are available to download below or order them to be sent directly to your place of work.

Each section says:
Feeling your baby move is a sign that they are well. If you think your baby's movements have slowed down or stopped, contact your Maternity Unit immediately.
OPTION ONE:

An A4 poster featuring eight languages: Polish, Romanian, Indonesian, Farsi, Albanian, Bengali, Chinese and Welsh.
VIEW/DOWNLOAD
OPTION TWO:

An A4 poster featuring eight alternative languages: Turkish, Arabic, Vietnamese, Slovak, Hungarian, Urdu, Somali and Russian.
VIEW/DOWNLOAD
OPTION THREE:

An A3 poster featuring 16 translations: Turkish, Arabic, Vietnamese, Slovak, Hungarian, Urdu, Somali, Russian, Polish, Romanian, Indonesian, Farsi, Albanian, Bengali, Chinese and Welsh.
VIEW/DOWNLOAD

Latest

If you find your due in group useful and would like to help us continue to run more groups in the future please consider donating to your due in group fundraiser. Just £1 can make a world of difference.

If you find your due in group useful and would like to help us continue to run more groups in the future please consider donating to your due in group fundraiser. Just £1 can make a world of difference.

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We know pregnant women need accurate information about their baby's movement, whatever language they speak. 4.2 million people in the UK (7.7%) speak a main language that's not English or Welsh. So you can give up-to-date information directly to the women you care for, our trusted information is available for you to view, download and print in many different languages below.

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Available in:
Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Hindi, Kurdish, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya and Urdu

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Home

NHS England North West

North West Services

North West Maternity Services

Maternity Safety Information

Amharic የተተረጎመ የወሊድ ደህንነት መረጃ ቁሳቁሶች እዚህ ይገኛሉ

Arabic مواد معلومات سلامة الأمومة المترجمة متوفرة هنا

Bengali  অনূদিত মাতৃত্বকালীন নিরাপত্তা তথ্য সামগ্রী এখানে উপলব্ধ

English Maternity safety information materials are available here

Farsi مطالب ترجمه شده اطلاعات ایمنی زایمان در اینجا موجود است

Hindi अनुवादित मातृत्व सुरक्षा सूचना सामग्री यहाँ उपलब्ध है

Kurdish Materyalên agahdariya ewlehiya zikmakî yên wergerandî li vir hene

Somali Agabka macluumaadka badbaadada hooyada oo la turjumay ayaa laga heli karaa halkan

Spanish Los materiales de información de seguridad de maternidad traducidos están disponibles aquí

Tigrinya ብዛዕባ ድሕንነት ሕጻናት ዚገልጽ እተተርጐመ ሓበሬታ ኣብዚ ይርከብ

Urdu ترجمہ شدہ اٹرنٹی سیفٹی معلوماتی مواد یہاں دستیاب ہیں۔

________________________________________________________________________________

Some of the key message themes are:

If you are pregnant and Black, Black British or Asian, Asian British – you might be more vulnerable.

Trust your instincts – call your midwife or maternity team anytime if you are worried about your pregnancy or if you have symptoms of COVID-19.

It is safe to attend for your care and appointments during the pandemic.

Is your mood ok? Who to speak to if it is not ok.

What to do if you miss an appointment.

Signs of labour and what to do if you think you are in labour.

What to do if you have signs and symptoms of pre-eclampsia.

The importance of taking Vitamin D.

Feeling safe in your own home and how to find support if you don’t.

Looking after you and your unborn baby.

If you have any comments or spot any errors in the translations please contact: nwregional.maternityteam@nhs.net

____________________________________________________________________________________________

North West Maternity Services Working Together

These messages and materials were created by a collaboration of individuals and organisations in the North West.

We would like to thank the following for their contribution to this project:

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust

Caribbean and African Health Network

Cheshire and Merseyside Local Maternity and Neonatal System

Greater Manchester and East Cheshire Local Maternity and Neonatal System

Lancashire and South Cumbria Local Maternity and Neonatal System

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

North West Regional Maternity Team, NHS England and NHS Improvement

Pennine Maternity Voices Partnership

Renaissance Translations

Ronset Printers

University of Manchester – Division of Nursing / Midwifery and Social Work

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NHS England North West » Maternity Safety Information

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Amharic የተተረጎመ የወሊድ ደህንነት መረጃ ቁሳቁሶች እዚህ ይገኛሉ

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Available in:
23 different languages

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Download our leaflets in your language - Action on Pre-eclampsia

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Pre-eclampsia can kill in hours and requires immediate medical attention. Information contained on the website is for guidance only and is not intended to replace advice given by a health professional. The charity cannot be liable for any action taken or not taken as a result of information contained on this website.

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Scroll to the bottom of the page to view the information in: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Somali and Urdu

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We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Accept additional cookies Reject additional cookies View cookies

STFYAYB provides information about the screening tests offered during and after pregnancy.

Details

This information is about the screening tests you will be offered during your pregnancy and after your baby is born. It explains the different types of test and what the tests are looking for.

Easy read versions of this leaflet are available. Additional information is also available for parents of babies who are in a special care baby unit, neonatal intensive care unit or paediatric intensive care unit.

We hope this advice will help prepare you for discussions with your midwife or doctor so that you can ask the questions that are important to you.

It is your decision whether or not to have any of the tests described.

In this publication, we use the terms 'woman' and 'women' to refer to anyone able to become pregnant, including trans men. Trans men who are pregnant should be offered the same antenatal and newborn screening tests as other pregnant individuals.

The information is available in 12 other languages: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Somali and Urdu.

See how to print digital leaflets if you want to print any sections of this guidance.

Free printed copies of this leaflet are also provided for local screening providers to give to women who cannot access the internet. Screening services can view the full PDF of the printed leaflet and order printed copies on the APS online ordering portal (requires login).

Contact the screening helpdesk with any queries about this publication, making sure you include its full title.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Screening tests for you and your baby (STFYAYB)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
STFYAYB provides information about the screening tests offered during and after pregnancy.

# data[].attributes.body
Available in:
33 different languages

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About our translations

We are now expanding our portfolio of translations of our main publications beyond the 20 most common languages used in the UK following feedback at meetings and our enquiries page. We are really grateful to the charity Translators without Borders who are helping us to reach mothers and families of all nationalities. Newer additional translations have been generously provided by OAA members to help us to support some other languages. Where possible, these have been quality assured by professionals and/or peer colleagues. We trust these translations to be as accurate as possible and hope that they are useful to you.

Can you help grow our range of translations?

We are always looking for volunteers to help us expand the range of translated material we offer. If you are able to help translate our materials into new languages we would love to hear from you.
Get in touch

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We are now expanding our portfolio of translations of our main publications beyond the 20 most common languages used in the UK following feedback at meetings and our enquiries page. We are really grateful to the charity Translators without Borders who are helping us to reach mothers and families of…

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Available in:
Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Hebrew, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Somali, Urdu and Welsh

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Group B Strep information in your own language - Group B Strep Support

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The information leaflet Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in pregnancy and newborn babies is now available in 14 languages in addition to English.

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Available in:
34 different languages

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Translates images instantly into over 100 languages - this can be used to navigate things such as websites and posters  via your phone

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Smoking and your unborn baby

Protecting your baby from tobacco smoke is one of the best things you can do to give your child a healthy start in life. It can be difficult to stop smoking, but it's never too late to quit.

Every cigarette you smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, many of which are dangerous, so smoking when you are pregnant harms your unborn baby. Cigarettes can restrict the essential oxygen supply to your baby. As a result, their heart must beat harder every time you smoke.

Benefits of stopping smoking in pregnancy

Stopping smoking will help both you and your baby immediately. Harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide, and other damaging chemicals will clear from your body. When you stop smoking:

you will reduce the risk of complications in pregnancy and birth

you are more likely to have a healthier pregnancy and a healthier baby

you will reduce the risk of stillbirth

your baby is less likely to be born too early and have to face the breathing, feeding and health problems that often go with being premature

your baby is less likely to be born with a low birth weight. Babies of smokers are, on average, lighter than other babies, which can cause problems during and after labour. For example, they are more likely to have problems keeping warm and are more likely to get infections

you will reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also known as "cot death"

Stopping smoking now will also help your baby later in life. Children whose parents smoke are more likely to suffer from asthma and other serious illnesses that may need hospital treatment.

The sooner you stop smoking, the better. But even if you stop in the last few weeks of your pregnancy this will benefit you and your baby.

Secondhand (passive) smoke harms your baby

If your partner or anyone else who lives with you smokes, their smoke can affect you and your baby before and after their birth. You may also find it more difficult to stop if someone around you smokes.

Secondhand smoke can also reduce your baby's birthweight and increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also known as "cot death". Babies whose parents smoke are more likely to be admitted to hospital for bronchitis and pneumonia during their first year.

To find out more about quitting and to get support, your partner can call the National Smokefree helpline on 0300 123 1044 from 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 11am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday.

Nicotine replacement therapy

You can use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) during pregnancy if it will help you stop smoking and you're unable to stop without it. Stop smoking tablets such as Champix (varenicline) or Zyban (bupropion) are not recommended during pregnancy and are not currently available.

NRT contains only nicotine and none of the damaging chemicals found in cigarettes, so it is a much better option than continuing to smoke. It helps you by giving you the nicotine you would have had from a cigarette.

You can be prescribed NRT during pregnancy by a GP or an NHS stop smoking adviser. You can also buy it over the counter without a prescription from a pharmacy.

NRT is available as:

If you have pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting, patches may be a better solution.

NRT patches should be used for no more than 16 hours in any 24-hour period. The best way to remember this is to remove the patch at bedtime.

Before using any of these products, speak to a midwife, GP, a pharmacist or a specialist stop smoking adviser.

By getting this specialist advice you can be sure that you're doing the best for your baby and for you.

Call the National Smokefree helpline on 0300 123 1044 from 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 11am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday.

Remember, you are twice as likely to be successful at quitting if you get some support from a trained adviser.

Liquorice-flavoured nicotine products

Pregnant women are advised to avoid liquorice-flavoured nicotine products. Although there is no known risk with small amounts of liquorice flavouring, the manufacturers advise caution.

This caution is based on information about the adverse effects associated with excessive amounts of liquorice root. As other flavours are available, pregnant women are advised to choose an alternative, such as fruit or mint.

Find out more about stop smoking treatments.

E-cigarettes in pregnancy

E-cigarettes are fairly new and there are still some things we do not know. However, current evidence on e-cigarettes indicates they are much less risky than smoking.

Cigarettes deliver nicotine along with thousands of harmful chemicals. E-cigarettes allow you to inhale nicotine through a vapour rather than smoke. By itself, nicotine is relatively harmless.

E-cigarettes do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, the 2 main toxins in cigarette smoke. Carbon monoxide is particularly harmful to developing babies. The vapour from an e-cigarette does contain some of the potentially harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke, but at much lower levels.

If using an e-cigarette helps you to stop smoking, it is much safer for you and your baby than continuing to smoke.

Unlike nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), such as patches or gum, e-cigarettes are not available on an NHS prescription. If you want to use an e-cigarette, you can still get free expert help from a stop smoking adviser.

Call the National Smokefree helpline on 0300 123 1044 for more information, or ask a midwife to refer you.

Find out more about using e-cigarettes to stop smoking.

National Smokefree helpline

The National Smokefree helpline offers free help, support and advice on stopping smoking and can give you details of local support services.

You can also sign up to receive ongoing advice and support at a time that suits you.

National Smokefree helpline: 0300 123 1044

9am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 11am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday.

To find your nearest NHS Stop Smoking service talk to:

a midwife

a health visitor

a nurse at your GP surgery

a pharmacist

NHS Stop Smoking services can offer 1-to-1 or group sessions with trained stop smoking advisers and may have a pregnancy stop smoking specialist.

They can also offer advice about dealing with stress, weight gain and support the use of NRT (such as patches or gum), if appropriate, to help you manage your cravings.

Find out more about the effects of smoking in pregnancy, and getting support to quit, at Better Health: Start for Life

Find stop smoking services near you.

Get Better Health: Start for Life's pregnancy and baby emails

Sign up for Better Health: Start for Life's emails for expert advice, videos and tips on pregnancy, birth and beyond.

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Find out why you should stop smoking in pregnancy, and how smoking can harm your unborn baby. Plus where to go for support to help you quit.

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Also called cervical suture or cervical cerclage

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Breech (not head first) baby at the end of pregnancy

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Breech (not head first) baby at the end of pregnancy

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See our 'Antenatal education' page for more information about giving birth and beyond

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Use the heading column to find the information you need

Scroll down the column to see information related to that heading

Click on the links to view the information

Scroll right to find other headings

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Diabetes Specialist Midwives

01895 279678

Antenatal Clinic

01895 279442

Diabetic Clinic

01895 279882

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Labour and postnatal information for diet controlled GDM

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Labour and postnatal information for medicated GDM, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

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There are a number of research studies running at Hillingdon Maternity at any one time.

Some of these require input and consent from service users

See below for information about the current research:

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This class will cover:

Exercising safely in pregnancy

The role of the pelvic floor muscles and how to exercise them

Bladder and bowel symptoms you may experience

Perineal tears and how to reduce them

What to expect after birth

Getting back to yourself and sex

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Click here to view our 'Pelvic Health' padlet

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Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury (OASI) bundle

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Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury (OASI) bundle

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Reducing the rate of 3rd and 4th degree tears during childbirth

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Select the language required at the top of the page to view relevant videos

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Mothers and caregivers Videos - Global Health Media Project

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© 2022 Global Health Media Project | a 501(c)(3) nonprofit

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See our 'Reduced fetal movements in languages other than English' padlet

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Antenatal, labour and postnatal information

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Antenatal, labour and postnatal information

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Available in:
Pashto and Dari

# data[].attributes.body
See our 'multiple pregnancy' padlet for information about twins, triplets and more

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Hillingdon caring for your baby tutorials

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Hillingdon caring for your baby tutorials

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Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

# data[].attributes.headline
North West London birth preparation videos

# data[].attributes.subject
North West London birth preparation videos

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
North West London Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond

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North West London maternity hospitals have worked together to produce a series of videos that cover all the topics usually presented during traditional face ...

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Find out why you will probably have more vaginal discharge in pregnancy, and when you need to see a doctor.

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Hormonal changes in your body may cause you to become constipated even early on in your pregnancy.

To help prevent constipation, you can:

*eat foods that are high in fibre, such as wholemeal breads and cereals, fruit and vegetables, and pulses such as beans and lentils
*exercise regularly
*drink plenty of water

Contact your local pharmacy or GP for medication advice

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Pregnancy nausea, vomiting and hyperemesis

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Pregnancy nausea, vomiting and hyperemesis

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This information is for you if you want to know more about nausea and vomiting of pregnancy or about hyperemesis gravidarum, which is the most severe form of the condition.

It may also be helpful if you are a partner, relative or friend of someone who is in this situation.

The information here aims to help you better understand your health and your options for treatment and care. Your healthcare team is there to support you in making decisions that are right for you. They can help by discussing your situation with you and answering your questions.

This information covers:

What nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is and what hyperemesis gravidarum is

How it feels to have pregnancy sickness

What it means for your baby

What you can do to help if you have pregnancy sickness

When you should seek medical help and what will happen if you do

About anti-sickness medication you may be offered

See full glossary of medical terms.
Key points

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is a common condition that usually settles by 12-14 weeks of pregnancy.

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe form of this condition and can affect up to 1 to 3 in 100 pregnant women.

Nausea and vomiting and hyperemesis gravidarum can affect your mood, your work, your home situation and your ability to care for your family. Extra support from family, friends and healthcare professionals can help you.

While most women can be treated at home or as outpatients in hospitals, some may need admission to hospital for treatment.

A variety of anti-sickness medicines are available that may help your symptoms. While some of these medicines may not be licensed for use in pregnancy, there is no evidence that they are harmful to your baby.

Further information

NHS Choices: Nausea and morning sickness ( www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/morning-sickness-nausea.aspx)

Pregnancy Sickness Support: www.pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk

For further information on molar pregnancy, see the RCOG patient information Gestational trophoblastic disease.

Sources and acknowledgements

This information has been developed by the RCOG Patient Information Committee. It is based on the RCOG Green-top Clinical Guideline The Management of Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy and Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

This leaflet was reviewed before publication by women attending Birmingham Women's Hospital, by the RCOG Women's Network and by the RCOG Women's Voices Involvement Panel.

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Pregnancy sickness (nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum)

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This information is for you if you want to know more about nausea and vomiting of pregnancy or about hyperemesis gravidarum, which is the most severe form of the condition. It may also be helpful if you are a partner, relative or friend of someone who is in this situation.

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Indigestion, also called heartburn or acid reflux, is common in pregnancy. It can be caused by hormonal changes and the growing baby pressing against your stomach.

You can help ease indigestion and heartburn by making changes to your diet and lifestyle, and there are medicines that are safe to take in pregnancy.

Symptoms of indigestion and heartburn

Symptoms of indigestion and heartburn include:

a burning sensation or pain in the chest

feeling full, heavy or bloated

burping or belching

feeling or being sick

bringing up food

Symptoms usually come on soon after eating or drinking, but there can sometimes be a delay between eating and developing indigestion.

You can get symptoms at any point during your pregnancy, but they are more common from 27 weeks onwards.

Things you can do to help with indigestion and heartburn

Changes to your diet and lifestyle may be enough to control your symptoms, particularly if they are mild.

Eat healthily

You're more likely to get indigestion if you're very full.

If you're pregnant, it may be tempting to eat more than you would normally, but this may not be good for you or your baby.

Find out more about a healthy diet in pregnancy and foods to avoid.

Change your eating and drinking habits

You may be able to control your indigestion with changes to your eating habits.

It can help to eat small meals often, rather than larger meals 3 times a day, and to not eat within 3 hours of going to bed at night.

Cutting down on drinks containing caffeine, and foods that are rich, spicy or fatty, can also ease symptoms.

Keep upright

Sit up straight when you eat. This will take the pressure off your stomach. Propping your head and shoulders up when you go to bed can stop stomach acid coming up while you sleep.

Stop smoking

Smoking when pregnant can cause indigestion, and can seriously affect the health of you and your unborn baby.

When you smoke, the chemicals you inhale can contribute to your indigestion. These chemicals can cause the ring of muscle at the lower end of your gullet to relax, which allows stomach acid to come back up more easily. This is known as acid reflux.

Smoking also increases the risk of:

There's lots of help available to stop smoking. Talk to your midwife or call the NHS Smokefree helpline on 0300 123 1044. Find out more about stopping smoking in pregnancy.

Avoid alcohol

Drinking alcohol can cause indigestion. During pregnancy, it can also lead to long-term harm to the baby. It's safest to not drink alcohol at all in pregnancy.
Find out more about alcohol and pregnancy

When to get medical help

See your midwife or GP if you need help managing your symptoms or if changes to your diet and lifestyle do not work. They may recommend medicine to ease your symptoms.

You should also see your midwife or GP if you have any of the following:

difficulty eating or keeping food down

weight loss

stomach pains

Your midwife or GP may ask about your symptoms and examine you by pressing gently on different areas of your chest and stomach to see whether it's painful.

If you're taking prescription medicines

Speak to your GP if you're taking medicine for another condition, such as antidepressants, and you think it may be making your indigestion worse. They may be able to prescribe an alternative medicine.

Never stop taking a prescribed medicine unless you're advised to do so by your GP or another qualified healthcare professional who's responsible for your care.

Medicines for indigestion and heartburn

Medicines for indigestion and heartburn during pregnancy include:

antacids - to neutralise the acid in your stomach (some are available over the counter from a pharmacist)

alginates - to relieve indigestion caused by acid reflux by stopping the acid in your stomach coming back up your gullet

You may only need to take antacids and alginates when you start getting symptoms. However, your GP may recommend taking them before symptoms come on - for example, before a meal or before bed.

If you're taking iron supplements as well as antacids, do not take them at the same time. Antacids can stop iron from being absorbed by your body.

If antacids and alginates do not improve your symptoms, your GP may prescribe a medicine to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach. 2 that are widely used in pregnancy and not known to be harmful to an unborn baby are:

Causes of indigestion in pregnancy

Symptoms of indigestion come when the acid in your stomach irritates your stomach lining or your gullet. This causes pain and a burning feeling.

When you're pregnant, you're more likely to have indigestion because of:

hormonal changes

the growing baby pressing on your stomach

the muscles between your stomach and gullet relaxing, allowing stomach acid to come back up

You may be more likely to get indigestion in pregnancy if:

you had indigestion before you were pregnant

you've been pregnant before

you're in the later stages of pregnancy

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Indigestion, also called heartburn or acid reflux, is common in pregnancy. It can be caused by hormonal changes and the growing baby pressing against your stomach. You can help ease indigestion and heartburn by making changes to your diet and lifestyle, and there are medicines that are safe to take in pregnancy.

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Also known as symphysis pubic dysfunction (SPD)

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Shared Decision Making

If you are asked to make a choice, you may have lots of questions that you want to ask. You may also want to talk over your options with your family or friends. It can help to write a list of the questions you want answered and take it to your appointment.

Ask 3 Questions

To begin with, try to make sure you get the answers to 3 key questions, if you are asked to make a choice about your healthcare:

What are my options?

What are the pros and cons of each option for me?

How do I get support to help me make a decision that is right for me?

*Ask 3 Questions is based on Shepherd et al. Three questions that patients can ask to improve the quality of information physicians give about treatment options: A cross-over trial. Patient Education and Counselling, 2011;84:379-85

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Shared Decision Making If you are asked to make a choice, you may have lots of questions that you want to ask. You may also want to talk over your options with your family or friends. It can help to write a list of the questions you want answered and take it to your appointment.

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Less common symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia (that are not usually connected to pregnancy) include:

headaches

hearing ringing, buzzing or hissing noises inside your head (tinnitus)

food tasting strange

feeling itchy

a sore tongue

hair loss - you notice more hair coming out when brushing or washing it

wanting to eat non-food items, such as paper or ice (pica)

finding it hard to swallow (dysphagia)

painful open sores (ulcers) in the corners of your mouth

spoon-shaped nails

restless legs syndrome

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Read about iron deficiency anaemia, including what the symptoms are, when to get medical help, the tests and treatments you may have, and the possible causes.

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You can get depression when you are pregnant. This is called antenatal depression.
With help and support most people with antenatal depression are able to manage the condition.

If antenatal depression is not treated symptoms can get worse and may continue after the baby is born ( postnatal depression). So it is important to get help if you need it.

Symptoms

Some mood changes are normal in pregnancy, like feeling tired or irritable. But if you're feeling low and hopeless all the time, and no longer enjoy the things you used to, talk to a midwife or GP.

Signs and symptoms of antenatal depression include:

feeling sad, a low mood, or tearful a lot of the time

feeling irritable, or getting angry easily

losing interest in other people and the world around you

not wanting to eat or eating more than usual

negative thoughts, such as worrying you will not be able to look after your baby

feeling guilty, hopeless or blaming yourself for your problems

having problems concentrating or making decisions

Contact a GP immediately if:

You, or a friend or relative who is pregnant:

starts hearing or seeing things that are not real (hallucinations)

develop strong beliefs not shared by others (delusions)

If it is not possible to contact a GP, call NHS 111 or your local out-of-hours service.

Treatment

Speak to a GP or your midwife as soon as possible if you think you might have antenatal depression.

With appropriate treatment and support, most people are able to manage their symptoms, though it can take time.

Self-help

A GP or midwife may recommend a number of self-help tips that can help improve your mood. These include:

Psychological therapy

A GP may recommend a self-help course or refer you for therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or counselling.

It may take several weeks to see a therapist or counsellor. CBT can be done 'face to face' with a counsellor or online, using a computer.

A GP should be able to explain more about different ways you can have CBT.

Antidepressants

Antidepressant medicines may be recommended for you if you have moderate or severe depression and:

you do not want to use psychological therapy

psychological therapy has not worked for you

you prefer to take medicine

Some people may benefit from having both psychological therapy and taking antidepressants.

Talk to a GP (or doctor in charge of your care) about antidepressants that are safer to take during pregnancy.

The doctor will usually offer the type with the lowest risk for you and your baby.

Your doctor can explain the risks and the benefits, and will help you decide which treatment is best for you and your baby.

Find out more about antidepressants and pregnancy on the Mind website.

You can search for your medicine on Bumps medicines you can use in pregnancy A-Z

Further support

Other mental health conditions

Other mental health conditions that can develop during pregnancy, or get worse because you are pregnant, include:

anxiety disorders, including generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and panic disorder

obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), where intrusive, unwanted and unpleasant thoughts, images or urges repeatedly enter a person's mind, causing them anxiety and leading to repetitive behaviours

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You can get depression when you are pregnant. This is called antenatal depression. With help and support most people with antenatal depression are able to manage the condition. If antenatal depression is not treated symptoms can get worse and may continue after the baby is born ( postnatal depression).