Baby on the way

If you're expecting a baby, find out how to get maternity care, stay healthy and what to expect in your pregnancy.

Getting maternity care

Maternity care is the care you get from health professionals during your pregnancy. It's sometimes called pregnancy, midwifery or antenatal care. 

You'll get appointments with a midwife, or sometimes a doctor who specialises in care during pregnancy, labour and after birth (known as an obstetrician).

Booking your first midwife appointment

As soon as you find out you’re pregnant, you should book your first midwife appointment.

You should go to your first midwife appointment before you're 10 weeks pregnant. This is because you'll be offered some tests that should be done before 10 weeks. 

To book your appointment, you can:

Your midwife can: 

  • explain how maternity care works
  • let you know what other support is available

You GP can:

  • advise you on medical conditions
  • help you with any concerns you might have

Find out about your local maternity services at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust.

Staying healthy during your pregnancy 

At Pregnancy – NHS Start for Life, find advice and guidance on all aspects of your pregnancy, including:  

  • your pregnancy, week-by-week
  • healthy eating
  • vitamins and supplements
  • smoking and alcohol
  • exercising
  • mental health

Getting help to buy food and milk (NHS Healthy Start scheme)

If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to help to buy healthy food and milk.

Once on the scheme, you'll get a prepaid card, which you can use to buy:

  • fruit
  • vegetables
  • pulses
  • milk
  • infant formula

You can also use your card to collect:

  • Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from birth to 4 years old

The card will be topped up with payments every 4 weeks. You can use it in most places that sell healthy food and accept Mastercard® payments. 

Find out if you’re eligible for NHS Healthy Start and how to apply.