Best Start for life offer: During pregnancy

Find out about the local services and support available in Nottinghamshire from the moment you get pregnant until the birth of your baby.

The front cover of the "Best start for life offer" brochure

You can also download the full Best Start for life offer Nov 2025 booklet [PDF] (Printed booklets are also available for reference in Nottinghamshire libraries).

Dads and partners
How to register a pregnancy
Healthy Start scheme
Antenatal check and screening
Keeping healthy
Vaccinations in pregnancy
Bonding with your bump
Free NHS prescriptions and dental care
Family Hub Networks
Feelings during pregnancy
Antenatal classes
Healthy Family Team antenatal contact
Keeping your baby safe
Breastfeeding and infant feeding
Caring for your baby

Dads and partners

Tommy's Charity

Tommy's, the pregnancy and baby charity, has help and advice on how you can support your partner during pregnancy, preparing for labour and also looking after yourself on Dads and partners (Tommy’s).

Think Dads! Dad Pack

The Dad Pack is for all dads expecting a new baby. It contains information on preparing for labour, feeding and play, and to help dads look after themselves.

Download the Think Dads Dad Pack [PDF]

More support for dads

Find a range of information for new dads, parenting resources and sources of support on our Dads information page.

How to register a pregnancy

Contact your GP surgery or midwife as soon as possible after you find out that you’re pregnant.

Your first ‘booking’ appointment with your midwife should be before 10 weeks, with various appointments following this.

Healthy Start scheme

It’s best to start taking folic acid as soon as you start trying for a baby, or as soon as you find out you’re pregnant to help prevent birth defects.

In Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, anyone who is pregnant should be offered free vitamins. These will be provided by your community midwife.

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get Help to buy food and milk through Healthy Start (NHS)

Antenatal check and screening

Your midwife will offer you various checks and some screening tests during pregnancy to rule out any health conditions that could affect you or your baby and to ensure you receive any treatment in a timely manner.

These include:

Keeping healthy during pregnancy

Two Pregnant women sitting with legs crossed

Looking after yourself is important to ensure a healthy pregnancy and to reduce any risks and health complications.

Sign up to receive weekly emails with expert advice, videos and tips on pregnancy and parenthood at Pregnancy - Best Start in Life (NHS)

For more on pregnancy and postnatal pelvic health, visit Pregnancy and Early Postnatal (POGP)

There are local services that can help support you with having a healthy pregnancy.

Alcohol and drug use

Avoiding alcohol in pregnancy helps keep your baby safe. There is no known safe level for drinking alcohol during pregnancy. It is best not to drink alcohol at all if you are pregnant or trying for a baby.

For some suggestions on how to have an alcohol-free pregnancy, see these Tips for an alcohol-free pregnancy (Tommy's)

If you need support to stop drinking, reducing drinking or using drugs, then with your consent, your midwife can refer you into Nottinghamshire Change Grow Live drugs and alcohol support for people and their families service.

Dads and partners can self-refer online to Nottinghamshire Change Grow Live.

Or by telephone on 0115 896 0798

Smoking

If you are pregnant, or planning to be, now is the time to stop smoking. Ask your midwife about stop smoking services if you’re already pregnant.

If you’re planning a pregnancy, or if you’re a dad or partner, you can get support online to quit smoking from Quit Smoking (Your Health Notts)

Or contact Your Health Notts by telephone on 0115 772 2515

The NHS also has a pregnancy stop smoking advice line. Call the National Smokefree Helpline on 0300 123 1044

Healthy diet and lifestyle

Your Health Notts has a FAB (Food, Activity, Balance) Healthy Families programme to support families to make healthy food choices and create positive lifestyle changes.

Learn more about FAB - Healthy Families and sign up (Your Health Notts)

You can also contact Your Health Notts by telephone on 0115 772 2515

Vaccinations in pregnancy

Everyone who is pregnant is eligible for free flu, Covid-19, whooping cough (pertussis) and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccines to protect you and your baby from these viruses.

To ask about receiving these vaccines, contact your GP surgery or ask your midwife.

Read more about NHS vaccinations in pregnancy

This 3-minute information video explains what vaccinations are available during pregnancy, how they protect you and your baby, and when and where they are offered.

Translated versions of this video can be found in the Vaccinations in pregnancy YouTube playlist (Nottinghamshire County Council).

Bonding with your bump

It’s never too soon to talk to, sing to and stroke your bump. From around 16 weeks your baby can hear and feel your voices. Talking to them helps their brain development and helps you all bond with your baby.

Read about what your baby can hear during pregnancy and how you can interact with them on our Start Talking Together: Pre-birth page.

Whilst you’re pregnant you might be interested in sessions at your local Family Hub. These include Antenatal Peep and Antenatal BABES (Baby and Breastfeeding Encouragement and Support) which support parents to tune into their babies and supports attachment and bonding.

Free NHS prescriptions and dental care

Those who are pregnant and have given birth in the last 12 months get free NHS dental treatment and prescriptions. Speak to a healthcare professional for more information.

Read about how to claim for free NHS prescriptions (NHS)

To find an NHS dentist in your area, go to Find an NHS dentist (NHS)

Family Hub Networks

During pregnancy or early parenthood, you and your partner might find it helpful to visit your local Family Hub.

Family Hubs are welcoming places with sessions, groups and activities to support families expecting a baby, or with young children. You can connect with others, access advice, and enjoy time together as a family.

Find your nearest Family Hub team (Nottinghamshire County Council)

You can contact the Family Hub team by telephone on 0300 500 8080

Feelings during pregnancy

Expecting a new baby can be a wonderful time but can also be very challenging. It's common for those who are pregnant and new parents to feel overwhelmed and experience some anxiety, worry, depression, stress and confusion.

If this starts impacting your daily life you should speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP to access some extra support.

Find local sources of support and advice on:

Antenatal classes

Support, advice, and guidance is available at your local family hub. These hubs offer a range of antenatal groups and activities for families who are expecting a baby.

Find out more about the support available at family hubs at Pregnancy health and wellbeing (Nottinghamshire County Council)

Or call the Customer Service team by telephone at 0300 500 8080

Healthy Family Team antenatal contact

The antenatal visit is offered to all parents-to-be by the health visiting service. It takes place from 28 weeks gestation to birth.

This appointment may be offered within the family home, in a healthcare setting or by telephone. It provides support for your health and well-being until the birth of your baby.

Learn what to expect at an antenatal visit appointment in this 2-minute YouTube video from the Healthy Family Team:

You can read more about the Healthy Family Team in Nottinghamshire, and about the routine healthy child development appointments you will be offered on Healthy Family Teams (Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS)

Keeping your baby safe

There are many baby products available but sadly not all of those that are marketed and sold are safe.

The following website and guide may be helpful:

There are a number of steps you can take to make sure your baby sleeps as safely as possible and reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (commonly known as cot death).

Read more on our Baby and child sleep page.

Before you purchase a car seat for your baby, take some time to understand car seat laws and safe practice on Good Egg Safety's car seat website

Breastfeeding and infant feeding

Breastfeeding improves the health of both baby and mum, but it’s not always easy.

If you choose to breastfeed, a range of local support is available from your midwife, Healthy Family Team and from BABES groups at Family Hubs which provide information on breastfeeding and feeding choices.

Find support on our Breastfeeding page.

Dads and other family members and friends can find out how to support breastfeeding at Who can support with breastfeeding? (Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS)

For guidance on responsive formula feeding, go to our Baby feeding and weaning page.

Caring for your baby

Baby on changing mat having its nappy changed

Practical tips on everything from changing your first nappy to coping with a lack of sleep can be found at Best Start in Life (NHS).

Family Hubs provide a range of support and advice for caring for your baby. From group activities to expert guidance, get the best start for your little one. Find out more about this support at Family Health and wellbeing (Nottinghamshire County Council).