Feelings and Relationships
Pregnancy brings about big changes to your life, especially if this is your first baby. Some people cope with these changes easily, while others find it harder. Everybody is different.
Your feelings
Even if you feel excited about having your baby, it's common for some women to feel more vulnerable and anxious when they're pregnant. If feeling down or anxious is affecting your everyday life, mention it to your midwife. You don't have to have a particular mental health problem to be offered help dealing with worrying thoughts or feelings.
Your relationship
You may find that you are having arguments with your partner while you’re pregnant.
Some arguments may have nothing to do with the pregnancy, but others may be caused by feeling worried about the future and how you're going to cope.
It's important to talk with your partner about how you’re feeling. If you are worried about your relationship, talk to a friend, family member or your midwife.
Domestic abuse
If your relationship is abusive or violent, get help. There are organisations that can help such as:
Support in labour
One practical question you will need to discuss is how you will cope with labour and whether your partner will be there. Many fathers want to be present at their baby’s birth. It can help to find out about your birth options, including where you can give birth. You can also read the page on what your birth partner can do, which gives some suggestions for ways partners can help and what it can mean for them to share this experience.
It may be that you don't have a partner during this pregnancy, and you need extra support from family or friends. You may wish to talk to your midwife about some of the services that are available.
Family and friends
Pregnancy is a special time for you and your partner, and there may be a lot of other people around you who are interested in your baby, such as your parents, sisters, brothers and friends.
People can offer a great deal of help in all sorts of ways, and you'll probably be glad of their interest and support. But sometimes it can feel as if they're taking over. If this is how you feel, talk about it. It may help if you explain gently that there are some decisions only you and your partner can make, and some things that you prefer to do on your own.
You may also find that being pregnant puts you on the receiving end of a lot of advice, and perhaps a bit of criticism. Sometimes the advice is helpful, sometimes not. Sometimes the criticism can really hurt. The important thing is to decide what is right for you. After all, it is your pregnancy and your baby.
Find out more about your relationships after the birth.
Having a baby if you're on your own
If you’re on your own, ask your midwife if there are antenatal classes in your area that are especially for single people.
After birth, it can be encouraging to meet other single parents who also went through pregnancy on their own.
Gingerbread is a self-help organisation for single-parent families. It has a network of local groups and can give you information and advice. The charity can also put you in touch with other parents in a similar situation to you.
Visit the Gingerbread online forum (registration required).
Money and housing
If money is an immediate concern, find out more about the maternity and paternity benefits and leave you're entitled to claim. Your local Jobcentre Plus or Citizens Advice service can advise you.
If you have a housing problem, contact your local Citizens Advice or your local housing advice centre.
You might be eligible for a Sure Start Maternity Grant on GOV.UK, or Healthy Start vouchers for free milk, vegetables and vitamins.
Last Updated: 13/06/2023 13:36:00
The information on this page has been adapted by NHS Wales from original content supplied by
NHS website
nhs.uk