Planning a Pregnancy
Being healthy before pregnancy increases your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby, as well as reducing complications for your own health.
The following topics aim to provide practical information on many aspects of health and wellbeing which will be useful if you are thinking about becoming pregnant. Pregnancy is a great opportunity to make positive health changes.
TOMMYs Planning for Pregnancy Tool
TOMMYs are a pregnancy charity who work to make the UK the safest place in the world to give birth, supported by people who refuse to accept that a baby's death is just 'one of those things'. The people who support TOMMYs want to do something about the lack of research and information around pregnancy issues. Like TOMMYs, they believe every parent has the right to a healthy pregnancy and baby.
What TOMMYs do
- TOMMYs fund pioneering research to identify why pregnancy goes wrong, which helps them to understand how they can prevent complications and loss, as well as enabling specialist care for people at their clinics, research centres and across the NHS.
- TOMMYs provide expert, midwife-led advice for parents before, during and after pregnancy, working together towards safer, healthier pregnancies.
- TOMMYs foster a connected, caring community, united in their goal to make pregnancy safer for all and advocating for and supporting those who have lost babies.
TOMMYs - 9 tips for planning a pregnancy
TOMMYs Planning a Pregnancy Video
TOMMYs Planning for Pregnancy Tool
Planning a Pregnancy
If you are thinking of becoming pregnant, click on one of the links below to find out some of the lifestyle changes that might help you to have a healthier pregnancy:
TOMMYs Planning a Pregnancy Tool - ENGLISH
TOMMYs Planning a Pregnancy Tool - BENGALI
TOMMYs Planning a Pregnancy Tool - GUJARATI
TOMMYs Planning a Pregnancy Tool - POLISH
TOMMYs Planning a Pregnancy Tool - PUNJABI
Planning a Pregnancy with Diabetes
Diabetes UK are the leading charity for people living with diabetes in the UK. Their vision is a world where diabetes can do no harm.
Planning for a pregnancy when you have diabetes
Most women with diabetes have normal pregnancies resulting in healthy babies. However, having diabetes can increase the chance of serious complications both for you and your baby.
Diabetes UK website - Planning a Pregnancy when you have Diabetes
Click the links below for information on Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. If you live in Bedfordshire, Luton or Milton Keynes, you can also pick up a Diabetes UK pack from your local pharmacy which includes information on how to plan a healthy and safe pregnancy when you have diabetes:
Planning a Pregnancy
If you are thinking of becoming pregnant, click on one of the links below to find out what you can do to have a healthier pregnancy:
Diabetes UK - Planning a Pregnancy with Diabetes ENGLISH
Diabetes UK - Planning a Pregnancy with Diabetes BENGALI
Diabetes UK - Planning a Pregnancy with Diabetes GUJARATI
Diabetes UK - Planning a Pregnancy with Diabetes HINDI
Diabetes UK - Planning a Pregnancy with Diabetes POLISH
Diabetes UK - Planning a Pregnancy with Diabetes PUNJABI
Support for Black & Asian women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy
East Bedford Primary Care Network offer support to Black and Asian women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy to maintain their health and that of their baby.
Are you registered with one of these surgeries?:
Cauldwell Medical Centre, London Road Surgery, Putnoe Medical Centre, Linden Road Surgery
The Wellbeing Team can help you with the following:
Your physical health
Keeping you well before and during pregnancy
Your mental health
and more
If you require support, click on the link below for more information and scan the QR code to complete the self-referral form:
Mental Health Support Services
The Bedfordshire & Luton Perinatal Mental Health Team provides specialist care for people with mental health problems who are pregnant, in the first post-partum year, or who are considering pregnancy.
The team hold outpatient clinics in a number of locations around the county and provide joint psychiatric and obstetric appointments at the antenatal clinics at Luton and Dunstable Hospital and Bedford Hospital.
Bedfordshire & Luton Perinatal Mental Health Service website
If you require support, click on the link below to find out more information about the service:
Bedfordshire & Luton Perinatal Mental Health Service ENGLISH
The Milton Keynes Perinatal Mental Health Service offers treatment and support for women who are thinking of becoming pregnant, women who are pregnant and postnatal women experiencing mental health difficulties.
Milton Keynes Perinatal Mental Health Services professionals work alongside women, mothers and expectant mothers to detect, prevent and treat perinatal mental health problems. The service ensures that women are involved in all aspects of their care.
Milton Keynes Perinatal Mental Health Service website
If you require support, click on the link below to find out more information about the service:
Planning for Pregnancy - Clinic
If you are thinking of becoming pregnant and have:
- a BMI over 35
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- a mental health condition
- are taking any medications
Speak to your GP about being referred to your local Preconception Counselling Clinic (PCC) for advice on how to have a healthy pregnancy
Clinics are currently based at the following locations:
Luton & Dunstable Hospital - Lewsey Road, Luton LU4 0DZ
Milton Keynes University Hospital - Standing Way, Milton Keynes MK6 5LD
Sexual Health
iCaSH (integrated Contraception and Sexual Health) service provides all aspects of sexual and reproductive health, including contraception, sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV testing and treatment.
All iCaSH clinics are self-referral, which means that a GP referral letter is not necessary. The service is free, confidential and non-judgemental.
iCaSH clinics offer the following services:
•Contraception advice and supply - including complex LARC
•Deep implant removals
•Emergency contraception
•Sexually transmitted infection testing, advice & treatment
•HIV Care and Treatment (Bedfordshire only)
•PrEP & PEP
•Psychosexual Therapy
•Mpox testing and vaccinations
•HIV POCT (Clinics and online)
•Chlamydia Screening (including Gonorrhoea)
•Condoms by post or C-Card
•1:1 sessions by referral
•Health promotion
•Young persons clinic in MK and Dunstable
•Any other related issues
iCaSH clinics are available at locations across Bedfordshire & Milton Keynes
iCaSH Bedfordshire, Kings Brook, 5 St Johns Street, Bedford MK42 0AH
iCaSH Bedfordshire Dunstable Priory, Priory Gdns, Church St, LU6 3SU
iCaSH Milton Keynes, 624 South Fifth Street, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 2FX
Number for all appointments and queries: 0300 300 3030
Community Events
Look out for events in your local area, arranged by Healthwatch and Maternity Voices Partnership, where you can give your feedback and suggestions on local maternity services.
Click the links below for more information:
Are you interested in becoming a Diabetes & Research Champion? Click here for more information.
Past events:
Preparing for Pregnancy (Preconception) Awareness Event
Thursday 21st September 2023 @ 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Healthwatch
Healthwatch are your local health and social care champion. They make sure NHS leaders and other decision makers hear your voice and use your feedback to improve care and they can also help you to find reliable and trustworthy information and advice.
Healthwatch Bedford Borough
Healthwatch Bedford Borough website
What is Healthwatch Bedford Borough?
Healthwatch Bedford Borough Preparing for Pregnancy Video
Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire
Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire website
Healthwatch Luton
Healthwatch Milton Keynes
Maternity Voices Partnership
A Maternity Voices Partnership (MVP) is an NHS working group comprising of local maternity staff and parents working together to improve the maternity services in their areas.
Maternity Voices Partnership Bedfordshite, Luton & Milton Keynes