In 60 seconds
Your short plan for this week
After a positive test, contact the maternity-care route for your area and save its urgent phone number.
Ask when your first visit is usually booked and what information to prepare, such as the first day of your last period and current medicines.
A home test confirms pregnancy hormone, not where the pregnancy is or whether it is developing normally.
What you may notice
Your body and how you may feel
A missed period or positive test may be the first clue; mild cramps or spotting can occur, but pain or heavier bleeding needs advice.
What is happening
Baby’s development this week
A tiny group of rapidly dividing cells is establishing the structures that will support pregnancy.
Plain-language examples
What this means in real life
Mild period-like cramping can happen. Pain that is severe, one-sided, worsening, or paired with dizziness or shoulder-tip pain needs urgent assessment.
A short checklist
What to do now
- After a positive test, contact the maternity-care route for your area and save its urgent phone number.
- Review medicines and supplements with a clinician or pharmacist.
- Choose food-safety and substance-free habits without chasing perfection.
Pause and check
What not to do—or what to ask first
- A home test confirms pregnancy hormone, not where the pregnancy is or whether it is developing normally.
What may be coming up
Appointments, tests and decisions
Ask when your first visit is usually booked and what information to prepare, such as the first day of your last period and current medicines.
For the support person
One useful thing a partner can do
- Listen to the reaction before planning. Excitement, fear and uncertainty can appear together.
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