In 60 seconds
Your short plan for this week
Notice whether swelling is gradual and in both feet or sudden, marked, one-sided, or affecting the face and hands.
Know where blood pressure and urine can be checked urgently outside routine appointment hours.
Do not use someone else's normal blood pressure or swelling pattern to judge your own symptoms.
What you may notice
Your body and how you may feel
Your body is carrying more blood and weight; gradual swelling can occur, while sudden face or hand swelling needs urgent advice.
What is happening
Baby’s development this week
The fetus is adding body fat and practising breathing movements.
Plain-language examples
What this means in real life
Gradual ankle swelling can be common. Sudden swelling with a severe headache, vision changes or upper abdominal pain needs urgent assessment.
A short checklist
What to do now
- Notice whether swelling is gradual and in both feet or sudden, marked, one-sided, or affecting the face and hands.
- Discuss birth preferences, feeding support and early recovery.
- Notice your baby's usual movement pattern and act promptly on a clear change.
Pause and check
What not to do—or what to ask first
- Do not use someone else's normal blood pressure or swelling pattern to judge your own symptoms.
What may be coming up
Appointments, tests and decisions
Know where blood pressure and urine can be checked urgently outside routine appointment hours.
Choose birth and newborn learning
Look for evidence-based antenatal education that includes recovery and newborn care.
Write flexible birth preferences
Record what matters to you while allowing plans to change for safety or preference.
Discuss feeding support
Learn how feeding support is accessed and how to get help early, whichever feeding path you use.
Review pregnancy vaccinations
Confirm current and seasonal recommendations with your clinician.
For the support person
One useful thing a partner can do
- Notice sudden visible change without creating panic; help call the maternity service and arrange transport when warning signs appear.
Contact your care team
Contact your doctor or maternity team promptly
Some concerns need advice before the next routine appointment even when they do not feel like an emergency. If a symptom becomes severe, sudden or frightening, use urgent care instead.
See when to contact careUrgent or emergency
Urgent signs during pregnancy or within a year after birth
Get medical care immediately for these symptoms. The list is not exhaustive; if something feels seriously wrong, seek help.
Open urgent warning signs