You are 4 weeks and 5 days

There's a lot of information to take in, but try to enjoy this time and remember that pregnancy is a natural process.

247 days until your due date

Like most expectant women, you may have started worrying about every part of your lifestyle and your baby's health almost as soon as you found out. To put this in perspective, in past generations pregnancy was seen as a natural event and few women changed their lifestyle, often carrying on with unhealthy food, alcohol, and smoking.

Pregnancy tests were also much less accurate or sensitive, so many pregnancies ended in early miscarriage without anyone knowing. As a result, many problems now known to be risk factors for complications or miscarriage weren't studied, dealt with, or worried about.

Today, thanks to a great deal of research and precise monitoring of ovulation, conception, and pregnancy, women are very aware of what's happening in their bodies and the possible pitfalls. This is a mixed blessing: it's important to avoid anything known to harm your baby, but just as important to relax and enjoy your pregnancy, because stress isn't good for either of you.

Ask a Doctor

I'm 40 and in great shape. Will my pregnancy still be seen as high risk?

Yes. Any woman over 35 is classed as high risk, whatever her health. This can be frustrating, but statistically women over 35 are more likely to have complications such as high blood pressure, miscarriage, and gestational diabetes, and have a higher risk of a baby with a genetic disorder such as Down syndrome.

Your doctor simply wants to make sure your pregnancy progresses normally and that you and your baby stay healthy. Regular monitoring means any problems can be dealt with, and hopefully put right, early.

Try not to see it as an intrusion. It's great that you're already fit, and if you keep looking after your health and exercising regularly, you'll lower the risk of complications.

Explainer

More checkups for older moms

As an older expectant mom, you'll probably have more prenatal checkups. High blood pressure can be a sign of preeclampsia, which is a bigger risk for first-time mothers over 40.

As a matter of fact

Dark beer and iron

Pregnant women used to be told to drink dark beer because it was supposedly a good source of iron.

Sadly, this is an old wives' tale, because beer contains almost no iron. So stick to leafy green vegetables, even if they're less exciting!

This is general information based on NHS guidance, not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Talk to your midwife or GP about anything that worries you. If your baby's movements slow down or change, or you have bleeding, severe pain or leaking fluid, call your maternity unit straight away. In an emergency, call 999.