Your Maternity Journey
Early pregnancy: early pregnancy signs and symptoms
Early pregnancy symptoms
There are many different pregnancy symptoms and not everyone will experience the same ones and the severity of each symptom will differ too.
Missed or lighter period
· If you have a regular monthly menstrual cycle, the earliest and most reliable sign of pregnancy is a missed period
· In the beginning of pregnancy you may have a small bleed which can seem similar to a light period or it could be more like spotting. This is called an implantation bleed.
· If you believe you might be pregnant take a home pregnancy test.
· If you know you are pregnant and have not yet referred to a midwife, please complete the following form:
Refer yourself to Croydon's maternity services | Croydon Health Services NHS Trust
If you are less than 16 weeks pregnant and experience fresh bleeding alongside abdominal pain, please attend A&E for further medical support or contact the early pregnancy unit on 0208 401 3310. The Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU) offer an appointment-based service for pregnant women up to 16 weeks of pregnancy, assessment is via telephone triage.
Morning Sickness
· Feeling sick or being sick can start as early as 4 weeks of pregnancy and although we refer to it as morning sickness, it can occur at any time of day.
· You will often feel worse if your blood sugar is low, so it is important to make sure you are eating small, regular meals throughout the day. Ensure you drink plenty of fluids and avoid smells that make you feel sick. If you need to, speak to your GP about anti-sickness medication.
· If you are vomiting so regularly you become unable to keep down food and drink and you are less than 16 weeks pregnant, please attend A&E. This is called hyperemesis gravidarum and will need further care in hospital. If you are over 16 weeks pregnant, please attend maternity triage.
Tiredness
· Extreme tiredness/exhaustion can be very common, particularly in early pregnancy. It is important to listen to your body where possible and rest when you can. Try to continue eating a well-balanced diet, gentle exercise, plenty of fluids and sleep. If you have a support network around you, ask for help.
Headaches
· It is common to experience headaches in early pregnancy. This can be for a number of reasons including: hormonal changes, nasal congestion, tiredness, drinking less fluids or less caffeine.
· If you experience severe headaches that do not go away with paracetamol, alongside visual disturbances and pain in your upper tummy, seek medical attention
Other Normal Bodily changes
· You may find that your breasts become tender and larger. You may also find that your nipples become darker. It is still really important to check your breasts regularly for signs and symptoms of breast cancer. If you are worried, please contact your GP.
· You may find that you need to pass urine more frequently, both day and night time.
· Constipation can be common in early pregnancy, ensure you are eating a well-balanced diet that includes fibre and drinking plenty of water.
· Increased vaginal discharge is normal as long as no other symptoms are present e.g. green/yellow colour or smell.
Unusual tastes, smells and cravings
During early pregnancy, you may find that your taste in food and drink changes. Some common things that you might notice:
· A strange taste in your mouth, commonly metallic
· Craving specific foods
· Unable to eat other foods that you used to enjoy, tea and coffee are common ones
· Smoking les
· Sensitive to smells and can feel nauseous easily
Baby’s movements
· Some people will start to feel baby move from as early as 14 weeks of pregnancy, however, more commonly you will feel movements for the first time between 16-21 weeks. Here are some useful links for more information:
Your Baby's Movements: When Does a Baby Start Kicking? | Tommy's
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
· A DVT is a clot that forms in a deep vein and is an urgent medical condition. Symptoms include: Red, hot, swollen and painful areas in your leg, usually in the lower leg. If you are experiencing this, please attend A&E if you are less than 16 weeks pregnant, and Maternity Triage of you are over 16 weeks pregnant. You can call maternity triage on 0208 401 3853
· If the clot travels, it can move to your lungs and cause chest pain and shortness of breath, this is called a pulmonary Embolism and is also urgent. Please follow the advice above.
Diet, Lifestyle and exercise
Balanced diet
· You do not need to follow a special diet whilst pregnant, but it is important to eat a balanced diet with a variety of foods every day to ensure you and your baby are receiving the nutrients you both need. For more information, please see the following website: Have a healthy diet in pregnancy - NHS
· Most foods are safe to eat during pregnancy, however, there are some things you should be more careful around. Please click the link to find out more about this: Foods to avoid in pregnancy - NHS
Fasting
For women choosing to fast either for religious reasons or for health reasons. Fasting whilst pregnant is not usually recommended, however this is a personal choice. You are usually not expected to take part in religious fasting when you are pregnant or breastfeeding. For people with certain medical conditions it is recommended that you do not fast during pregnancy. Please speak to your doctor or midwife before commencing any fast. For more information, please follow the link: https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/nutrition-in-pregnancy/fasting-pregnancy
Healthy Start Vouchers
· Healthy Start is a government scheme to improve universal access to food, vitamins and supplements that promote a healthy body and pregnancy.
· If you are pregnant or have a child under four years old you might be entitled to these vouchers to help buy some basic foods and supplements.
· Follow the link to find out more: Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start)
Alcohol
· Do not drink alcohol during your pregnancy - alcohol will cross your placenta and can affect your baby’s physical and neurological development, with lifelong consequences. For more information, please follow the link - Drinking alcohol while pregnant - NHS
· If you would like support to reduce your alcohol intake, you can access this through the Live Well Croydon Service:https://www.croydon.gov.uk/live-well-croydon/live-alcohol-aware/help-me-reduce-my-drinking
Supplements
· Folic Acid is recommended for all pregnant people and those who are planning a pregnancy. Folic acid reduces the chance of your baby having a neural tube defect, such as Spina Bifida. You should take a 400 microgram supplement of folic acid every day before becoming pregnancy and every day afterwards until you are 12 weeks pregnant and you can buy it at your local pharmacy. Some people may need to take a higher dose of 5mg supplement of Folic Acid and your midwife will let you know if this is the case.
· Vitamin D We recommend that all women take at least a 10mcg Vitamin D supplement daily while pregnant. This is to reduce the risk of bone density complications for both you and your baby. Some groups of pregnant people will be recommended to take a higher dose and this will be identified at your booking appointment.
· For more information, please see here: Healthy eating and vitamin supplements in pregnancy | RCOG
Smoking
· Smoking during pregnancy has been linked to a variety of health problems for your baby, including premature birth, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, miscarriage and breathing problems in the first 6 months of life. Please see the link for more information about smoking in pregnancy: Stop smoking in pregnancy - NHS
· If you would like support to stop smoking, you can access this through the Live Well Croydon Service: https://www.croydon.gov.uk/live-well-croydon/live-smoke-free/help-me-quit-smoking
Exercise
· Exercise during pregnancy is safe for both you and your baby, and it may help you towards the end of pregnancy, and during labour. To learn more about how to do this, follow this link: Exercise in pregnancy - NHS
Mental Health
· Link to our Mental Health page
· Emotional wellbeing is just as important as your physical health. It is common to struggle with low mood/anxiety in pregnancy and there is lots of support available. If you are struggling with a new or existing mental health concerns, please speak to your midwife or GP. Follow the link for more support:
· If you are a resident of Croydon you can also refer yourself to Talking Therapies: https://croydontalkingtherapies.nhs.uk/
Sleep
Research has shown that after 28 weeks of pregnancy, going to sleep on your back increases your risk of stillbirth , therefore, we advise you go to sleep on your side in the third trimester because it is safer for your baby. The advice relates to any episode of sleep, including:
- going to sleep at night
- returning to sleep if you have woken up in the night
- Day time naps
For more common questions and answers on this, please see: Sleep position in pregnancy Q&A | Tommy's
Sex
· Sex in pregnancy is safe for both you and your baby unless your midwife or doctor has advised you anyway. The only thing to consider is how comfortable you are with this.
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Early Pregnancy Unit leaflet
Download the leaflet here: Croydon Early Pregnancy Unit Leaflet.docx [docx] 351KB
EARLY PREGNANCY UNIT
The Early Pregnancy Unit at Croydon University Hospital manages patients with a positive pregnancy test, who are experiencing pain or bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy. At Croydon University Hospital, we see patients up to 15+6 weeks gestation.
The Early Pregnancy Unit is an appointment-based service only, this is not a walk-in service, so please do not attend the Unit unless you have a booked appointment.
LOCATION
The Early Pregnancy Unit is located within the Women’s Unit, on the ground floor of the Green Zone at Croydon University Hospital.
OPENING TIMES
Open: Monday to Friday 09:00 - 17:00 (excluding bank holidays)
Telephone Triage: Monday to Friday 09:00 – 13:00 (excluding bank holidays)
If you need help out of these hours, please call NHS 111 or if you are experiencing severe pain, heavy bleeding or feeling unwell, please attend your nearest Accident and Emergency department.
CONTACT DETAILS
Website: www.croydonhealthservices.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-services/service/early-pregnancy-unit-208/
Telephone: 0208 401 3310
If the telephone line is engaged, or goes to answerphone, please leave one message, clearly and slowly stating your name and contact telephone number.
We aim to respond to all messages left within 24 hours however, if you leave a message after 13:00 on a Friday or prior to a bank holiday, your call will not be answered until the next working day.
If you do not hear back from EPU by the following working day, please call again.
IF YOU NEED TO BOOK YOUR ANTENATAL CARE
To book your antenatal care please visit www.croydonhealthservices.nhs.uk/refer-yourself-to-croydons-maternity-services and complete the CHS Maternity antenatal self-referral form.
You can also access the form using the QR code. Alternatively, you may call the antenatal booking team at 0208 401 4202.
CAN I TRAVEL?
We strongly recommend that if you are experiencing any pregnancy related complications or concerns that you do not travel away from home, unless you have been advised that it is safe to do so by a medical or healthcare professional.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT YOUR CARE?
If you have a problem that the service that nurses or doctors are unable to resolve, you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) who will be happy to help you. Please also tell PALS about positive comments or compliments.
PALS offer assistance, advice and support for patients and their families and can help if you have questions or concerns about care. PALS may also be able to provide further information about tests and procedures.
The office is open to callers from 9.30am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday; Telephone number: 020 8401 3210; or email CH-TR.PALS@nhs.net.