The earliest and most reliable sign of pregnancy is a missed period. If you have a regular monthly cycle, normally you get your period about 4 weeks from the start of your last period.

If you do start having cravings, it’ll probably be in your first trimester (it could be as early as 5 weeks into pregnancy). They’ll get stronger in your second trimester, and then eventually stop in your third trimester.

Most pregnant women gain between 10kg and 12.5kg (22lb to 26lb), putting on most of the weight after week 20. Much of the extra weight is due to your baby growing, but your body will also be storing fat, ready to make breast milk after your baby is born.

To keep bones and muscles healthy, we need vitamin D. From late March/early April to the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin. However, between October and early March we should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement because we cannot make it from sunlight.

Keeping active and doing exercise while you’re pregnant is great for you and your baby. You can keep up your normal level of daily activity and exercise regime, as long as it still feels comfortable.

It’s a good idea to read as much as you can about breastfeeding before the birth. This will help you feel more confident and prepared.

If you’re giving your baby expressed or formula milk, you’ll need to buy some bottles. The choice of baby bottles can be overwhelming as there are quite a few options.

A birth plan is a way of letting your midwife, nurses and doctors know what you want to happen during your labour. It’s a chance to plan things like where you want to give birth, who’s going to be with you during the birth, and what facilities you’d like to use.

The flu jab is the safest way to help protect pregnant women and their babies against flu, regardless of their stage in pregnancy, or how fit and healthy they feel.