If someone tells you that they are pregnant and they are confused, worried or feel that they cannot cope then there are lots of things you can do to help.
The first thing to do is advise them to contact their GP or midwifery service as soon as possible after they find out that they're pregnant. Early care helps ensure the best outcomes for both parent and baby.
If they're not registered with a GP, they can locate one in their area and complete the registration online.
Find a GP
Some people with an unplanned pregnancy need to make difficult choices.
They have the right to choose what is best for them. This might be:
- carrying on with the pregnancy
- choosing adoption
- choosing to have an abortion
There is free, non-judgmental help and advice.
What to expect when pregnant
Derbyshire Family Health Service has lots of advice on pregnancy.
Best Start in Life also has helpful information on healthy pregnancy, mental wellbeing, food, and early child development.
Where someone lives in Derbyshire will decide which hospital will care for them during pregnancy.
Each hospital has its own way of doing things.
for example, at Chesterfield Royal Hospital people must be registered with a GP before they can register their pregnancy using My Pregnancy Notes.
Further information on pregnancy can be found on:
Unplanned pregnancy
People facing an unplanned pregnancy often deal with unique challenges, including emotional, financial, and social pressures. Many pregnancies described as ‘unplanned’ may be mistimed rather than unwanted. While some are welcomed, unplanned pregnancies are linked to an increased risk of poorer outcomes for both mother and child.
You may meet people who are worried because they smoked, drank alcohol, used substances, or engaged in other health‑risk behaviours before discovering they were pregnant. These conversations can feel sensitive, and it is important to balance the correct risk messaging with compassionate reassurance.
You could use the following approach.
It is very common for people to find out they are pregnant after smoking, drinking alcohol, or using substances. Many people feel anxious or guilty about what this might mean for their baby. You can reassure them that unintentional exposure in the very early stages of pregnancy does not automatically lead to harm.
What matters most now is supporting them to stop or reduce these behaviours and encouraging early contact with maternity or GP services. Early engagement allows health professionals to provide appropriate checks, tailored advice, and ongoing support. Emphasise that they will not be judged, services are there to help them and their baby stay well.
Unplanned pregnancies can happen at any age. Teenagers have the highest risk, but most unplanned pregnancies happen in women aged 20 to 34. It can also happen to women over 35, even up to menopause.
Women and people with unplanned pregnancies are more likely to delay seeking antenatal care, which can result in undiagnosed complications and missed chances for early screenings.
People experiencing unplanned pregnancies might carry on with unhealthy behaviours, like smoking, drinking alcohol, or using substances. This poses risks to both the mother and the baby.
Some health problems, like being overweight, are harder to change once someone is pregnant. That’s why it’s important for people to look after their health before pregnancy.
Even when people plan to have a baby, only a few make healthy changes beforehand. Preparing early can help improve health for both parent and baby.
People with unplanned pregnancies are more likely to delay seeking antenatal care. This can lead to:
- missed early screenings, which help detect conditions like gestational diabetes, infections, and chromosomal abnormalities
- missed opportunities for preventative measures, such as folic acid supplementation to reduce the risk of neural tube defects
Unplanned pregnancies can also increase stress, anxiety, and impact mental health, both during and after pregnancy.
They can lead to financial strain, especially for those who aren't financially prepared to raise a child, which can put more stress on relationships.
Unplanned pregnancies are also more likely to result in pre-term births, which can cause health issues for the baby, including developmental delays and a higher risk of infections.
Relationship issues or instability may arise due to an unplanned pregnancy, especially if partners don't agree about having children or aren't ready for the responsibilities of parenthood.
Children born from unplanned pregnancies may face higher risks of emotional, behavioural, and developmental challenges due to family stress, limited resources, or lack of parental preparedness.
Some women and people with unplanned pregnancies may choose to terminate the pregnancy.
This is a personal decision that depends on many factors, such as health, financial stability, relationships, and personal values.
Access to reproductive healthcare and counselling can help women and pregnant people make informed decisions, whether they choose to continue the pregnancy, pursue adoption, or have a termination.
Regardless of their choice, it's crucial to provide individuals with non-judgemental support, accurate information, and resources to ensure they feel empowered and supported in their journey.
Closely spaced pregnancies
Getting pregnant again less than 12 months after giving birth can increase health risks.
Most people are advised to wait at least 18 months before becoming pregnant again.
This can lower the chance of:
This can lower the risk of:
- premature birth
- low birth weight
- stillbirth
- placenta partially or completely peeling away from the inner wall of the uterus before delivery (placental abruption)
- congenital disorders
- mental health difficulties
- maternal anaemia (anaemia for the pregnant person)
The body needs time to recover. Pregnancy and breastfeeding use up nutrients like folate. Without enough time to replace these, the next pregnancy may have more risks.
Key messages for professionals to share
Good health before pregnancy helps keep parent and baby well.
Using contraception helps reduce unplanned pregnancies and supports people to plan for a healthy pregnancy.
After having a baby, using contraception can give the body time to rest before another pregnancy.
Support people to speak to a GP, midwife or sexual‑health service about contraception and pregnancy planning.
Advise people to contact their GP or midwifery service as soon as possible if they find out that they're pregnant. Early engagement ensures timely screening and support for a healthy pregnancy.
Signpost to local contraception services, helping people to plan and space pregnancies is an important part of preconception care.
After birth, accessing the full range of contraceptive options is important to prevent an unplanned pregnancy and allow time for recovery before the next pregnancy. Advise people to discuss contraception during postnatal care with their health professional.
Lots of different contraceptive options are available for free from Your Sexual Health Matters.
You can get trusted and easy to understand sexual health information from the Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust page on the FPA website.