In most cases, there are ways of contacting your midwife between visits. Ask your midwife about this at your first appointment as different areas operate different systems. If, of course, you are having problems getting in touch with your midwife or making an earlier appointment, you should make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible. Do not wait and suffer in silence, as you can find yourself becoming stressed and worrying needlessly about things. Seek advice and have your mind put to rest as soon as you can.

Remember that it's common to have concerns when you're pregnant, especially if it's your first pregnancy. Here we've provided a list of the top concerns of an expectant mum, to reassure you that you're not alone in your worries!

1) Are you providing your baby with the correct nutrients? It's important to consume a healthy, well-balanced diet during pregnancy - see our feature for more information.

2) Are these twinges normal? Many women experience pregnancy twinges  - obviously if these are of an intense nature or accompanied by bleeding or severe abdominal cramping you should consult a doctor immediately.

3) Could the antibiotics I took, or alcohol I consumed, before I found out I was pregnant have harmed my unborn baby? Many women worry about this, but the likelihood is that your baby will be fine. The important thing is to give up, or cut down to a minimum, your consumption of alcohol and caffeine once you realise you're pregnant. It's also advised that you give up smoking completely.

4) Which childhood infections could harm my unborn baby? As long as you're vigilant, you shouldn't have cause to worry, but you should try to avoid coming into contact with children who have chicken pox or rubella.

5) Concerns about labour. It's normal to feel somewhat apprehensive about labour, so it's important to do your research so you feel as prepared as possible. You can ask your midwife anything and do tell her if you are feeling apprehensive about labour and birth or if you have any questions about pain relief or how your birth will be managed.

6) Fears for the baby's health. Many first-time mums worry about potential illnesses that might befall their baby once born. Visit our baby health section to keep yourself well-informed, or read up on childhood immunisations and what vaccinations your baby may need after he is born.

7) Changes to your body. Your body's likely to change dramatically during pregnancy; read our features on stretch marks and skin pigmentation to learn more.

8) Many mums feel concerned about how they will cope once their baby actually arrives; read our feature on bonding after birth and watch our video on playing with your newborn to put your mind at ease.

9) Will I be able to breastfeed? Despite many women believing that they can't breastfeed, most women can. Ask your midwife about any concerns you have and where you can get informnation and help about breastfeeding. Lots of hospitals offer workshops about breastfeeding for pregnant women.

Last Modified: 20/06/2007