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Nottinghamshire Best Start offer: During pregnancy

Find out about the local services and support available in Nottinghamshire from the moment you get pregnant until the birth of your baby.

The front cover of the Nottinghamshire Best start offer booklet

You can also download the full Nottinghamshire Best Start offer 2026 booklet [PDF]

Printed booklets are also available for reference in Nottinghamshire libraries

On this page

Dads and partners

Tommy's Charity

Tommy's, the pregnancy and baby charity, has help and advice on how you can support your partner during pregnancy, preparing for labour and also looking after yourself on Dads and partners (Tommy’s).

Think Dads! Dad Pack

The Dad Pack is for all dads expecting a new baby. It contains information on preparing for labour, feeding and play, and to help dads look after themselves.

Download the Think Dads Dad Pack [PDF]

More support for dads

Find a range of information for new dads, parenting resources and sources of support on our Dads information page.

How to register a pregnancy

Contact your GP surgery or midwife as soon as possible after you find out that you’re pregnant.

Your first ‘booking’ appointment with your midwife should be before 10 weeks, with various appointments following this.

Read more about your antenatal appointments (NHS)

Healthy Start scheme

Healthy start vitamins

It’s best to start taking folic acid when you begin trying to have a baby, or as soon as you find out you are pregnant. This helps prevent birth defects.

In Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, anyone who is pregnant should be offered free vitamins. These will be provided by your community midwife.

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get Help to buy food and milk through Healthy Start (NHS)

Antenatal check and screening

Your midwife will offer you different checks and screening tests during pregnancy. These help find any health conditions that could affect you or your baby. This means you can get treatment quickly if needed.

These include:

Keeping healthy during pregnancy

Two Pregnant women sitting with legs crossed

Looking after yourself is important to ensure a healthy pregnancy and to reduce any risks and health complications.

Receive weekly emails with expert advice, videos and tips on pregnancy and parenthood.

For more on pregnancy and postnatal pelvic health, visit Pregnancy and Early Postnatal (POGP)

There are local services that can help support you with having a healthy pregnancy.

Alcohol and drug use

Avoiding alcohol in pregnancy keeps your baby safe. There is no safe amount of alcohol to drink when you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, it is best not to drink alcohol at all.

Tips for an alcohol-free pregnancy

You can find helpful advice at: Tips for an alcohol-free pregnancy (Tommy's)

Getting support

If you want help to stop or reduce drinking, or to stop using drugs, with your consent your midwife can refer you to Nottinghamshire Change Grow Live. This service supports people and their families.

Dads and partners can refer themselves online: Nottinghamshire Change Grow Live

You can also call 0115 896 0798 for support.

Smoking

If you are pregnant or planning to have a baby, now is a good time to stop smoking.

If you are pregnant

  • Talk to your midwife about services that can help you stop smoking.

If you are planning a pregnancy, or if you are a dad or partner

More help

  • The NHS has a stop smoking advice line for pregnancy. Call the National Smokefree Helpline on 0300 123 1044

Healthy eating and exercise

Eating healthy food is important if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby.

Gentle exercise during pregnancy is good for you and your baby. It helps you keep a healthy weight and gets your body ready for labour.

Speak to your midwife if you want help with eating well or exercising safely during pregnancy.

Vaccinations in pregnancy

Everyone who is pregnant can get free vaccines for flu, whooping cough (also called pertussis), and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). These vaccines help protect you and your baby from these illnesses.

This 3-minute video explains:

  • Which vaccines you can get during pregnancy
  • How these vaccines protect you and your baby
  • When and where you can get them

You can watch translated versions of this video in the Vaccinations in pregnancy YouTube playlist (Nottinghamshire County Council).

To get these vaccines, contact your GP surgery or ask your midwife.

Bonding with your bump

You can start bonding with your baby before they are born. It’s good to talk to, sing to, and gently stroke your bump. From about 16 weeks, your baby can hear and feel your voice. Talking to your baby helps their brain grow and helps you feel close to them.

You can read more about what your baby can hear during pregnancy and how to interact with them on our Start Talking Together: Pre-birth page.

While you are pregnant, you may want to join sessions at your local Family Hub. These include:

  • Antenatal Peep
  • Antenatal BABES (Baby and Breastfeeding Encouragement and Support)

These sessions help you connect with your baby and support bonding.

Free NHS prescriptions and dental care

Those who are pregnant and have given birth in the last 12 months get free NHS dental treatment and prescriptions. Speak to a healthcare professional for more information.

Family Hub Networks

During pregnancy or early parenthood, you and your partner might find it helpful to visit your local Family Hub.

Family Hubs are welcoming places with sessions, groups and activities to support families expecting a baby, or with young children. You can connect with others, access advice, and enjoy time together as a family.

Find your nearest Family Hub team (Nottinghamshire County Council)

You can contact the Family Hub team by telephone on 0300 500 8080

Feelings during pregnancy

Expecting a new baby can be a wonderful time, but can also be challenging. It's common when you are pregnant, or for new parents to feel overwhelmed. You might feel anxious, worried, depressed, stressed, or confused..

If these feelings start to affect your daily life, talk to your midwife, health visitor, or GP. They can help you get extra support.

Find local sources of support and advice on:

Antenatal classes

You might find it helpful to attend some local antenatal education classes to help prepare for birth and beyond. Your midwife will be able to provide more information on the free sessions delivered by your hospital.

If you and your partner are expecting a baby, you can find support, advice, and guidance at your local family hub. These hubs offer a range of groups and activities for families with young children and those who are expecting a baby.

Find out more about the support available at family hubs at Pregnancy health and wellbeing (Nottinghamshire County Council)

Or call the Customer Service team by telephone at 0300 500 8080

Healthy Family Team antenatal contact

The antenatal visit is offered to all parents-to-be by the health visiting service. This visit happens after 28 weeks of pregnancy and before your baby is born.

This appointment may be offered

  • within the family home
  • in a healthcare setting
  • by telephone
  • through a digital offer

This visit helps you get ready for your new baby and to look after your health needs until the birth of your baby.

Learn what to expect at an antenatal visit in this 2-minute YouTube video from the Healthy Family Team:

You can find more information about the Healthy Family Team in Nottinghamshire and the routine healthy child development appointments you will be offered on Healthy Family Teams (Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS) website.

If you have questions, contact the Healthy Family Team Advice Line on 0300 123 5346.

Keeping your baby safe

There are many baby products available but sadly not all of those that are marketed and sold are safe.

You may find these websites helpful:

You can take steps to help your baby sleeps as safely as possible and lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) also called cot death.

Read more on our Baby and child sleep page.

Before your baby arrives and you buy a car seat, check the law and advice on Good Egg Safety's car seat website

Breastfeeding and infant feeding

Breastfeeding improves the health of both baby and mum, but it’s not always easy.

If you choose to breastfeed, you can get local support from

  • your midwife
  • thr Healthy Family Team
  • BABES groups at Family Hubs

These groups provide information about breastfeeding and other feeding choices.

You can find more help on our Breastfeeding page.

Dads and other family members and friends can learn how to support breastfeeding at Who can support with breastfeeding? (Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS)

If you want advice on responsive formula feeding, visit our Baby feeding and weaning page.

Caring for your baby

Baby on changing mat having its nappy changed

Baby basics includes practical tips on everything from changing your first nappy to coping with a lack of sleep.

Family Hubs provide a range of support and advice for caring for your baby. From group activities to expert guidance, get the best start for your little one.

Find support at

Find more local information and support on caring for your baby on:

External Links

Last updated: 21 May 2026