Pregnancy on the NHS: Tests, Foods, Ectopic Signs and Common Questions

Pregnancy brings a lot of questions, often at odd hours. This guide answers the ones people search for most, using NHS advice: where to get a free pregnancy test, what to do after a positive result, the signs of an ectopic pregnancy, which foods to avoid, when aspirin or a glucose test might be offered, support belts, diarrhoea, raspberry leaf tea, flying, packing your hospital bag, and being pregnant over 35.

Pregnancy tests on the NHS

When to test

The NHS website says most pregnancy tests can be done from the first day of a missed period. If you do not know when your period is due, test at least 21 days after you last had unprotected sex. You can use urine from any time of day; it does not have to be first thing in the morning.

How accurate they are

Home pregnancy tests are accurate if you follow the instructions. The NHS says a positive result is almost certainly correct, but a negative result is less reliable. If you get a negative result and still think you are pregnant, wait a few days and test again. If a second test is negative and your period has still not come, speak to your GP.

Free pregnancy tests

You can buy tests from pharmacies and supermarkets, but you can also get them free. The NHS lists:

• sexual health services
• some young people's services (call the national sexual health helpline on 0300 123 7123 for details)
• your GP surgery, in some cases

If you are looking to order a free pregnancy test online, there is no single national NHS ordering service. Some local sexual health services offer tests by post or for collection, so check your local service's website or call the helpline above. Young people can also get confidential advice from the charity Brook.

What to do after a positive pregnancy test

A positive test is the time to get your NHS pregnancy care started. The NHS website suggests you:

• refer yourself for NHS pregnancy care. You can usually do this online without seeing a GP first. Your first midwife appointment, sometimes called the booking appointment, is usually between 8 and 12 weeks.
• take the recommended supplements, such as folic acid and vitamin D. See the NHS page on pregnancy vitamins and supplements.
• see a GP or specialist soon if you have a long-term condition or take regular medicine. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without talking to a doctor.
• ask about a maternity exemption (MATEX) certificate, which gives you free NHS prescriptions and free NHS dental care during pregnancy and for 12 months after the birth.
• avoid alcohol and smoking, and ask your midwife or GP for support if you need it.

Our pregnancy due date calculator shows your estimated due date and when your scans and appointments are likely to be.

Ectopic pregnancy: signs to know

An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants outside the womb, usually in a fallopian tube. The NHS website says around 1 in 90 pregnancies in the UK is ectopic. Sadly, the pregnancy cannot be saved and usually needs to be removed with medicine or an operation.

Ectopic pregnancy signs

It does not always cause symptoms. When it does, they usually start between weeks 4 and 12, and can include a combination of:

• a missed period and other signs of pregnancy
• tummy pain low down on one side
• vaginal bleeding or a brown, watery discharge
• pain in the tip of your shoulder
• discomfort when peeing or pooing

These symptoms can have other causes, such as a stomach bug, but they should always be checked.

When to get help

Contact your GP or call NHS 111 if you have a combination of these symptoms and might be pregnant, even if you have not had a positive test.

Call 999 or go to A&E straight away if you have a sharp, sudden, intense pain in your tummy, feel very dizzy or faint, feel sick, or look very pale. These can be signs that a fallopian tube has ruptured, which needs urgent surgery.

Foods in pregnancy: what to avoid

The NHS foods to avoid page covers this in detail. The main points:

If you have already had a small amount of something on the list, the NHS says it is unlikely to affect your baby if you did not get ill. Talk to your midwife or GP if you are worried, and get help from 111 if you feel unwell afterwards or have had food poisoning symptoms for more than 48 hours.

Aspirin in pregnancy

You may be offered low-dose aspirin if you have a higher risk of pre-eclampsia, a condition that causes high blood pressure in pregnancy. The NHS website says a midwife or doctor may prescribe aspirin every day from week 12 of pregnancy until your baby is born.

Factors that can increase your risk include having had pre-eclampsia before, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, an autoimmune condition, a first pregnancy, being 40 or over, carrying twins or triplets, and a BMI of 35 or more.

Do not start taking aspirin unless a midwife or doctor has advised you to. Going to all your antenatal appointments is important, because your blood pressure and urine are checked at each one.

The pregnancy glucose test

Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy. If you have a higher chance of it, you will be offered a screening test called an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

According to the NHS website, the test:

• is usually done between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy
• starts with a blood test in the morning, after not eating or drinking for 8 to 10 hours (you can usually drink water, but check with the hospital)
• involves a glucose drink, then resting for 2 hours before a second blood test
• takes about 2 hours in total

You are likely to be offered the test if, for example, your BMI is above 30, you are over 40, you have had a large baby (4.5kg or more) or gestational diabetes before, a parent or sibling has diabetes, or you are of south Asian, Black, African-Caribbean or Middle Eastern origin. If you had gestational diabetes before, you will usually be tested earlier too.

Pregnancy support belts on the NHS

Some people develop pelvic girdle pain (PGP) in pregnancy, also called symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD). It is not harmful to your baby but can be painful and make it hard to get around.

The NHS website says you may be referred to a physiotherapist who specialises in pregnancy pelvic problems. Treatment can include exercises and, if needed, equipment such as pelvic support belts or crutches. So if you are wondering how to get a pregnancy support belt on the NHS, the usual route is to tell your midwife or GP about your pain and ask about a physiotherapy referral.

Things that can help in the meantime include staying active without doing things that make the pain worse, resting when you can, wearing supportive shoes, sitting down to get dressed, sleeping with a pillow between your legs, and keeping your knees together when getting in and out of a car.

Diarrhoea in pregnancy

Stomach bugs are common in pregnancy. The pregnancy charity Tommy's says it is very unlikely your baby will be harmed by a bug lasting less than 48 hours. Rest, drink plenty of water through the day, and eat small, light meals if you feel like it.

Do not take medicines to stop diarrhoea, such as loperamide (Imodium), without asking your GP, midwife or pharmacist first.

Contact your GP, midwife or maternity unit if:

• diarrhoea or vomiting does not stop within 48 hours
• you have bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from your bottom
• you have signs of dehydration, such as dark pee or feeling dizzy
• you have tummy pain or cramps, especially if you are less than 37 weeks pregnant

Raspberry leaf tea

Raspberry leaf tea is often talked about as a way to prepare for labour, but the evidence is limited. The UK's Committee on Toxicity reviewed it in 2024 and concluded that the risk from raspberry leaf in pregnancy is low but very uncertain, because there is so little good data (GOV.UK).

The NHS advises telling your midwife, doctor or pharmacist about any herbal remedies you use, as not all "natural" products are safe in pregnancy. If you are thinking about raspberry leaf tea, talk to your midwife first, especially if you take any medicines.

Flying while pregnant and fit-to-fly letters

The NHS website says flying is not harmful to you or your baby, but you should discuss any health issues or complications with your midwife or doctor before you fly.

On fit-to-fly letters:

• After 28 weeks, airlines may ask for a letter from your doctor or midwife confirming your due date and that you are not at risk of complications.
• You may have to pay for this letter and wait several weeks for it, so ask early.
• Some airlines will not let you fly towards the end of pregnancy. The chance of labour is higher after 37 weeks (around 32 weeks for twins), so check your airline's policy before booking.

On flights over 4 hours there is a small risk of blood clots. Drink plenty of water, move around every 30 minutes or so, and consider graduated compression stockings from a pharmacy. Make sure your travel insurance covers pregnancy-related care, including early labour.

Packing your hospital bag

The NHS suggests packing your bag at least 3 weeks before your due date, in case your baby arrives early. The NHS checklist includes:

For you: your birth plan and maternity notes, loose comfortable clothes, dressing gown and slippers, nightwear (front-opening if you plan to breastfeed), several changes of clothes and underwear, comfortable or nursing bras, breast pads, two packets of maternity pads, a wash bag, towels, snacks and drinks, any medicines you take, a phone charger with a long cable, and spare glasses or contact lenses.

For your baby: vests and sleepsuits, a going-home outfit, a hat and socks, nappies, cotton wool or wipes, muslin squares, a blanket, and a car seat for the journey home.

For your birth partner: a change of clothes, toiletries, phone and charger, snacks and drinks, and change for the car park.

Pregnancy over 35: the truth about "geriatric pregnancy"

"Geriatric pregnancy" is an outdated term that you are unlikely to see in NHS information. You may hear doctors talk about "advanced maternal age" or simply pregnancy over 35 or over 40.

Most people who are pregnant in their late 30s or 40s have healthy pregnancies and babies. Some risks do rise with age. For example, the NHS lists being 40 or over as a factor that increases the chance of pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes, so you may be offered aspirin or a glucose test. All pregnant people in England are offered screening for conditions such as Down's syndrome, and your midwife will explain what your results mean.

If you are older, keep going to all your appointments, and talk to your midwife about any extra checks recommended for you.

Money and work during pregnancy

If you work, including for the NHS, you need to tell your employer about your pregnancy by the 15th week before your due week. Our pregnancy calculator shows this date, and our NHS maternity pay guide and maternity pay calculator explain what you could be paid.

Pregnancy questions people often ask

Can I get a free pregnancy test from the NHS?

Yes. Sexual health services and some young people's services offer free tests, and your GP may be able to test you free of charge.

How soon after a positive test should I contact a midwife?

As soon as you can. Referring yourself early means your first appointment can happen between 8 and 12 weeks.

Can I eat cheese when pregnant?

Hard cheeses and most pasteurised soft cheeses, such as mozzarella and cream cheese, are fine. Avoid brie, camembert and soft blue cheese unless they are cooked until steaming hot.

Sources

Checked on 14 October 2026:

• NHS website: Doing a pregnancy test
• NHS website: What to do when you find out you're pregnant
• NHS website: Ectopic pregnancy
• NHS website: Foods to avoid in pregnancy
• NHS website: Pre-eclampsia
• NHS website: Gestational diabetes
• NHS website: Pelvic pain in pregnancy
• NHS website: Travelling in pregnancy
• NHS website: Pack your bag for labour
• NHS website: Medicines in pregnancy
• GOV.UK (Committee on Toxicity): Raspberry leaf tea in the maternal diet: lay summary
• Tommy's: Diarrhoea and vomiting in pregnancy