Your partner
Pregnancy will bring about big changes to your relationship, especially if this is your first baby. Some people cope with these changes easily, others find it harder. Everybody is different.

It’s quite common for couples to have arguments every now and then during pregnancy, however much they're looking forward to having the baby. Some of these may be nothing to do with the pregnancy, but others may be caused by one of you feeling worried about the future and how you're going to cope.

It's important to realise that during pregnancy there are understandable reasons for the odd difficulty between you, and good reasons for feeling closer and more loving.

One practical question you will need to discuss is how you will cope with labour and whether your partner will be there. Many fathers want to be present at their baby’s birth. It can help to find out about your birth options and what your birth partner can do, which gives some suggestions for ways in which partners can help and what it can mean for them to share this experience.

If your relationship is particularly problematic, abusive or violent, do get help. There are organisations that can help, Abuse includes domestic violence, rape and sexual assault. Find out more about it, how you can support a friend and how to recognise the signs of abuse in the articles below.

It may be that you don't have a partner during this pregnancy, and you need extra support from family or friends. You may wish to talk to your doctor about some of the services that are available.

Find out more about coping if you are alone.

Family and friends
Pregnancy is a special time for you and your partner, and there may be a lot of other people around you who are interested in your baby, such as your parents, sisters, brothers and friends.

People can offer a great deal of help in all sorts of ways, and you'll probably be glad of their interest and support. But sometimes it can feel as if they're taking over. If so, it can help everyone if you explain gently that there are some decisions that only you and your partner can take, and some things that you prefer to do on your own.

You may also find that being pregnant puts you on the receiving end of a lot of advice, and perhaps a bit of criticism, too. Sometimes the advice is helpful, sometimes not. Sometimes the criticism can really hurt.

The important thing is to decide what is right for you. After all, it is your pregnancy and your baby.