On long car journeys it is important to stop regularly for a break and to stretch your legs. Wear your seatbelt with the cross strap between your breasts and the lap strap across your pelvis under your bump, not across your bump. Road accidents are among the most common causes of injury in pregnant women. Avoid making long trips on your own and share the driving with others when possible. 
Riding a bicycle in pregnancy should be approached with caution, due to the risk of falling which may harm you or your baby. In pregnancy your joints are less stable, your centre of gravity is altered and your reactions are slower. It might be best to avoid cycling unless you are used to cycling regularly. 
Travelling by tube, train and bus during pregnancy can be tricky, but ordering a free Baby on board! badge can help make it easier. Always travel with a bottle of water and sit down when possible.
Always take your hand held maternity notes with you if travelling away from home. If travelling far from home in the middle/later stages of pregnancy, it may be worthwhile looking up the local maternity unit in case you need any urgent care whilst away.
It is currently recommended that all pregnant women have flu and whooping cough vaccinations during pregnancy. Ask your midwife or your GP’s practice nurse about this early in pregnancy. If you are travelling, please see the information on travel safety.
Pelvic floor exercises help strengthen the muscles of the pelvis, which are under additional strain during pregnancy and childbirth. Adopting these exercises regularly will reduce the likelihood of you experiencing pregnancy and postnatal related incontinence and help your body to recover after birth. It can also reduce the risk of urinary and faecal incontinence in the future, as well as reducing any symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse.
You should start the exercises as soon as you are pregnant and continue them during your pregnancy and continue the exercises during the postnatal period.
Exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and is known to be safe in pregnancy.
Pregnancy is not the time to start a challenging new fitness regime, but it is good to maintain your pre-pregnancy level of activity with some adjustments if needed, or to try something gentle like walking, swimming or pregnancy yoga.
Some women feel exercise helps them adjust to the physical changes taking place in their body, promoting a sense of wellbeing and reducing feelings of stress, anxiety and depression. Exercise may help prevent some pregnancy complications and can help with swollen ankles/feet:
It is safe to have sex in pregnancy, unless your care provider has advised against it.
Some couples find sex enjoyable during pregnancy, whereas some find their sex drive changes and they don’t feel like they want to have sex as often or at all. If you don’t feel like having sex, think about other ways you could feel intimate and close with your partner. Talk about your feelings with your partner and make adjustments if you need them. Your breasts may be sore and tender, and as your bump grows certain positions become more difficult. Having sex cannot harm your baby, and he or she will not be aware of what is happening.
If you are taking medications for any long term conditions, do not stop taking them or change the dose without talking to your GP first. If you’re not sure about the safety of certain medications, talk to your GP or local pharmacist. Many medications are safe when breastfeeding but talk to your GP who can confirm or recommend a safe alternative.
Your GP can provide you with a signed form for a maternity exemption certificate. This will entitle you to free NHS prescriptions up to one year after the birth of your baby.
