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Pregnant! Next Steps

So you've just found out you are pregnant. What should you do next? Who should you tell? We answer some of your questions.

Question	Answer
When should I got and see my doctor?	Most women choose to go and see their doctor quite quickly after they have had a positive pregnancy test. The advantage of going to see your doctor is that you will be given advice and support right from the start. Your doctor is likely to take your blood pressure, weigh and measure you and also tell you about the antenatal (pre-birth) services in your local area. The other advantage of going to the doctor early is that you will be given a form that you can send away to get free prescriptions and dental care.
How common is it to have a miscarriage and is there anything I can do to stop it happening to me?	Sadly, miscarriages are quite common. It is thought that one in five pregnancies may end in miscarriage. But as the majority occur in the first twelve weeks or so, some women may not even know that they had been pregnant. Happily, the majority of women who have a miscarriage go on to have successful pregnancies. In terms of preventing a miscarriage, there is very little that you can do, although it is important to stop smoking, drinking alcohol and using recreational drugs. You should also rest and eat sensibly. If you have already had more than one pregnancy that has ended in miscarriage, talk to your doctor.
Can my employer give me the sack if I am pregnant?	Definitely not! You have exactly the same rights to employment as before and your employer cannot use your pregnancy as an excuse to sack you. It is against the law for your employer to treat you unfairly. Your employer must also give you time off to attend antenatal clinics and check ups. Later on in your pregnancy, you will also be entitled to paid maternity leave and after the baby is born your job must be kept for you. Your employer may ask you for confirmation that you are pregnant. A good source of free advice about your rights is your local Citizens Advice Bureau.
I am unemployed and now pregnant. Will I get any financial help?	Yes, there are several benefits that you can claim. As the benefits systems can be quite complicated, the best thing to do is to go and visit your local benefits office or visit your local Citizens Advice Bureau. Don't be afraid of asking for help with form-filling or taking a friend along with you.
I think I got pregnant on a night when I was very drunk. How will this affect the baby?	Firstly, you should stop worrying, as it is not possible to put the clock back and stress can have a harmful effect on your baby. You should now try to avoid alcohol especially if you are still in the first twelve weeks of your pregnancy. As your baby's development will be assessd using ultrasound scanning, you will soon be able to get further reassurance
I am ten weks pregnant and have a skiing holiday booked in a few weeks' time. Is it still safe to go?	While the advice for pregnant women is to carry on with their normal activities including sports, it is always wise to be sensible. If you are a first time skier orhave not skied in a long time, it may be useful to seek some advice from your doctor or midwife. You should also look at the terms of your holiday insurance to check that you will be covered while pregnant for any medical expenses that you may incur.

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