Making a Wellbeing Plan in Pregnancy

A wellbeing plan helps you think about how you feel and what support you might need during pregnancy and after birth. Here's how to make one — and why it is worth doing.

What Is a Wellbeing Plan?

The idea is simple: by thinking through your emotional health now, while you are well enough to reflect clearly, you can make sure the right support is in place before you might need it. It is not about assuming things will go wrong — it is about being prepared, in the same way you might pack a hospital bag in advance.

A wellbeing plan can cover:

• How you are feeling currently and what your mental health history looks like
• The people in your life who support you — your partner, family, friends
• Things that help you cope when you are finding things difficult
• Warning signs that suggest you might be struggling and need extra help
• Who to contact if your mental health deteriorates — your midwife, GP, or a crisis service
• Any preferences you have for your care during pregnancy and after birth

Your midwife will usually ask about your emotional wellbeing at your booking appointment and subsequent check-ups. A wellbeing plan formalises this conversation into something written and shared.

How to Make One

Tommy's, the pregnancy charity, offers a free wellbeing plan template that you can complete online at tommys.org. It guides you through the key areas step by step and can be shared with your midwife or GP.

When completing your plan, think about:

• Your current emotional wellbeing — are you experiencing anxiety, low mood, or anything that is bothering you?
• Your past mental health history — have you experienced depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, or another condition before? Being open about this helps your team support you better.
• Your support network — who are the people you can call when you are struggling? Are there any gaps in your support?
• Your coping strategies — what helps you when things feel hard? Exercise, rest, talking to a specific person, time outside?
• Your warning signs — what does it look like when you are not coping? Changes in sleep, withdrawing from people, feeling hopeless or overwhelmed?
• What you want to happen if you need extra help — who should be contacted and what kind of support do you find helpful?

Be as honest as you can. The plan is there to protect you, not to judge you.

Who Sees Your Wellbeing Plan?

Your wellbeing plan is part of your maternity notes and can be seen by your midwife and the healthcare professionals involved in your care. If you have a previous history of significant mental health difficulties, your midwife may refer you to a specialist perinatal mental health team, who can provide additional support throughout pregnancy and after birth. This is a positive thing — not a sign that anything is wrong.

If your mental health needs are more straightforward, your plan helps your midwife check in with you at each appointment in a focused way.

When to Update Your Plan

A wellbeing plan is not a one-off exercise. It is worth revisiting it:

• If your circumstances change significantly (a relationship breakdown, bereavement, job loss)
• If you start to feel that your emotional health is declining
• In the final weeks of pregnancy, to make sure the postnatal section feels right
• After the birth, if your feelings or needs have changed

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I make a wellbeing plan?

A wellbeing plan helps you and your healthcare team identify mental health needs early, so support can be put in place proactively rather than waiting until you are in crisis. Perinatal mental health problems — including anxiety and depression during pregnancy and after birth — are more common than many people realise, and early identification means earlier, more effective help. The NHS and organisations such as Tommy's and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists all encourage this kind of proactive planning.

What if I have no history of mental health problems?

You can still benefit from a wellbeing plan. Pregnancy and new parenthood are significant life transitions that affect almost everyone emotionally. Having a plan means you have already thought about your support network and warning signs, so if you do find things harder than expected — which is not uncommon — you have a clear path to getting help quickly.

What if I am worried about what happens to the information?

Your wellbeing plan is part of your confidential medical record. It is shared with the professionals involved in your care to help them support you — not to make judgements about you as a parent. If you have specific concerns about confidentiality, your midwife can explain what is shared and with whom.

Speak to your midwife or GP for personalised support with your mental health during pregnancy — they can help you put a plan in place that works for you.