Start early
Arrange your first antenatal contact within the first 12 weeks, ideally as soon as pregnancy is known. Early care gives time to discuss your health, screening choices and support.
CAREWELLA · LEARNING TOGETHER
A little understanding.
A more informed next step.
CareWella’s maternal health learning brings pregnancy screening, antenatal preparation and follow-up into clear, practical language, so conversations with a qualified maternity professional can feel less overwhelming.
For general education, not personal medical advice. This material has not been independently clinically reviewed. Discuss screening and symptoms with a qualified maternity professional; local services and timing vary.
YOUR MATERNAL HEALTH MILESTONES
Know your next step
A quick guide from early pregnancy to life after birth. Your maternity team will tailor the timing and checks to your needs.
- By 12 weeks
Start your antenatal care
Book your first pregnancy visit as soon as you know you are pregnant. If you are already past 12 weeks, arrange care now.
Next step: Ask about your care plan, routine tests and supplements.
- Weeks 13–27
Keep your checkups
Attend planned visits to check your wellbeing and your baby’s growth. Discuss screening choices and any results with your maternity professional.
Next step: Bring questions and tell the team about any new symptoms.
- From 28 weeks until birth
Prepare for birth
Agree where to give birth, how to get there and who can support you. Keep attending the visits your team recommends.
Next step: If your baby’s usual movements slow down or change, seek maternity advice immediately. Do not wait for the next visit.
- Birth and the first days
Care for mother and baby
Make sure both mother and baby have checks after birth. Ask for help with feeding, recovery and signs that need urgent care.
Next step: Before leaving the birth facility, agree when and where your follow-up checks will happen.
- The first six weeks and beyond
Continue your follow-up
Attend postnatal checks for you and your baby. Talk about healing, feeding, emotional wellbeing and any support you need.
Next step: Ask about baby immunisations and family planning options when you feel ready.
General education only. This section has not been independently clinically reviewed. Do not use milestone dates to delay care for symptoms or concerns.
EARLY CARE, CONTINUING SUPPORT
Why screening and follow-up matter
Understand your screening
Screening can identify possible health concerns before symptoms appear. It is a choice to discuss with your clinician, not a diagnosis or a guarantee that complications will not occur.
Keep following up
Each visit is an opportunity to review your wellbeing and results. Follow-up helps your care team decide whether further checks, treatment or a referral are needed.
If you have passed 12 weeks without a visit, it is still worth arranging care now. Do not delay because you think you have missed the right time.
PRINT IT. TAKE IT WITH YOU.
Your checkup by 12 weeks
What to bring, questions to ask, possible checks and a simple follow-up checklist. Includes space for handwritten notes and urgent warning signs.
KEEP A QUICK REFERENCE
Common symptoms & what may help
Symptoms vary and may have causes unrelated to pregnancy. This chart is not a diagnosis and does not cover every warning sign.
| Symptom | What you can try | When to seek care |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea or mild vomiting | Try small, frequent meals and small sips of fluid. Avoid smells or foods that trigger nausea. | Contact a clinician promptly if you cannot keep fluids down, pass very little urine, feel faint or lose weight. |
| Tiredness | Rest when you can, eat regular balanced meals and keep gently active if comfortable. | Seek assessment for persistent or severe tiredness, palpitations or breathlessness. Chest pain or sudden breathing difficulty needs emergency care. |
| Heartburn | Eat smaller meals, stay upright after eating and avoid foods that trigger symptoms. Ask a pharmacist or clinician before taking medicine. | Get urgent assessment for severe or persistent upper abdominal pain, especially with headache, visual changes or sudden swelling. |
| Constipation | Drink water, increase fibre gradually and try gentle activity. Ask your clinician about pregnancy-safe options; do not stop prescribed iron yourself. | Seek medical advice for persistent constipation, significant pain or blood in your stool. Severe abdominal pain needs urgent assessment. |
| Mild backache | Use supportive seating, avoid heavy lifting and try comfortable, gentle movement. | Get urgent advice if pain is severe or comes with fever, bleeding, burning urination, contractions or fluid leaking. |
| Passing urine more often | Keep drinking fluids and empty your bladder regularly. Do not assume painful urination is a normal pregnancy symptom. | Contact a clinician promptly for burning, blood in urine or lower abdominal pain. Fever or back pain needs urgent assessment. |
| Breast tenderness | A comfortable, supportive bra may help. Mention persistent discomfort at your next visit. | Contact a clinician for a new lump, redness, heat, unusual discharge or fever. |
Check with a qualified clinician or pharmacist before using medicines, herbal products or supplements in pregnancy.
Some symptoms should never wait
Seek emergency care for heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, collapse, seizures, chest pain or sudden difficulty breathing. Get urgent assessment for vaginal bleeding, fluid leaking, fever, severe headache, visual changes or vomiting that prevents drinking. Later in pregnancy, reduced or changed baby movements need immediate advice.
Contact a local emergency service or maternity facility directly. CareWella does not monitor symptoms or provide emergency help.
Read more from the sources
- WHO: Antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience
- Better Health Channel: Pregnancy signs and symptoms
- ACOG: Routine tests during pregnancy
Prepared 5 November 2026. Sources inform this general guide; they do not imply an affiliation or endorsement.