{"id":494,"date":"2026-09-04T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/thinking-of-having-a-baby\/"},"modified":"2026-09-04T16:01:36","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T15:01:36","slug":"thinking-of-having-a-baby","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/thinking-of-having-a-baby\/","title":{"rendered":"Thinking of Having a Baby"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section caringcover gowide alignfull getwid-section-content-full-width\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__wrapper getwid-padding-left-medium getwid-padding-right-medium getwid-margin-left-none getwid-margin-right-none\" style=\"min-height:550px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:0px\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__inner-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__background-holder\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__background has-background\" style=\"background-color:#954B6A;background-image:url(&apos;https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2022\/08\/thinking.jpg&apos;);background-position:center center\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__background-image-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__background-image\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2022\/08\/thinking.jpg\" alt=\"Woman in the park\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__foreground\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__content\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-section__inner-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:45%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group caringbox2 has-background\" style=\"background-color:#954B6A\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h1 id=\"thinking-of-having-a-baby\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color\">Thinking of Having a Baby<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thinking about having a baby can mean different things to different people.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\"><div class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-host wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover\"><a class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/11\/YogaLivingRoom.png\" data-wpcp-wp-lb-image=\"1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"555\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/11\/YogaLivingRoom.png\" alt=\"Woman doing yoga in living room\" class=\"wp-image-5013\" srcset=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/11\/YogaLivingRoom.png 600w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/11\/YogaLivingRoom-300x278.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/11\/YogaLivingRoom.png\" data-fancybox=\"wpcp-wp-img-5013\" class=\"wpcp-lightbox-trigger wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon wpcp-position-top-right wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover wpcp-global-lightbox-icon wpcp-lightbox-icon--global wpcp-lb-icon-style-default\" data-wpcp-lb-icon-source=\"global\" aria-label=\"Open image in lightbox\" data-thumb-src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/11\/YogaLivingRoom-300x278.png\" data-wpcp-lb-single=\"1\"><span class=\"wpcp-icon-container\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\"><path d=\"M17.6585 16.025L14.2437 12.6198C15.1716 11.3338 15.6121 9.7613 15.4871 8.1819C15.362 6.60251 14.6795 5.11847 13.5607 3.99351C12.936 3.36206 12.1916 2.86066 11.3709 2.51845C10.5502 2.17623 9.66952 2 8.77995 2C7.89039 2 7.00969 2.17623 6.18899 2.51845C5.36829 2.86066 4.62395 3.36206 3.99919 3.99351C3.36594 4.61649 2.86312 5.35871 2.51992 6.17708C2.17673 6.99545 2 7.87365 2 8.76068C2 9.64772 2.17673 10.5259 2.51992 11.3443C2.86312 12.1627 3.36594 12.9049 3.99919 13.5279C5.11957 14.6901 6.62279 15.4103 8.23285 15.5562C9.84291 15.7022 11.4517 15.2641 12.7639 14.3224L16.1788 17.7275C16.3849 17.9034 16.6473 18 16.9186 18C17.1899 18 17.4523 17.9034 17.6585 17.7275C18.1138 17.16 18.1138 16.5925 17.6585 16.025ZM5.59278 12.0523C5.16258 11.6298 4.82094 11.1263 4.58774 10.5709C4.35455 10.0156 4.23446 9.41951 4.23446 8.81744C4.23446 8.21536 4.35455 7.6193 4.58774 7.06394C4.82094 6.50859 5.16258 6.00503 5.59278 5.58257C6.01644 5.15359 6.52144 4.81292 7.07838 4.58039C7.63532 4.34786 8.23308 4.22811 8.83687 4.22811C9.44066 4.22811 10.0384 4.34786 10.5954 4.58039C11.1523 4.81292 11.6573 5.15359 12.081 5.58257C12.5112 6.00503 12.8528 6.50859 13.086 7.06394C13.3192 7.6193 13.4393 8.21536 13.4393 8.81744C13.4393 9.41951 13.3192 10.0156 13.086 10.5709C12.8528 11.1263 12.5112 11.6298 12.081 12.0523C11.6573 12.4813 11.1523 12.822 10.5954 13.0545C10.0384 13.287 9.44066 13.4068 8.83687 13.4068C8.23308 13.4068 7.63532 13.287 7.07838 13.0545C6.52144 12.822 6.01644 12.4813 5.59278 12.0523Z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<h2 id=\"while-this-is-an-exciting-joyful-time-for-many-there-can-be-challenges-along-the-way\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">While this is an exciting, joyful time for many, there can be challenges along the way.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These pages are designed to help you through this phase of your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the important things you can do at this stage is to start taking a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/folic-acid\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"496\">folic acid&nbsp;<\/a>supplement. Maintaining a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/diet-weight-and-exercise\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"497\">healthy lifestyle, diet, and healthy weight<\/a>&nbsp;are other issues to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You may need help with things you can do to promote fertility and&nbsp;further information can be found on our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\">Edinburgh Fertility Centre<\/a>&nbsp;page.&nbsp;There are also&nbsp;headings below with more information to help you through this phase of life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull lightbluegroup\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">The information presented on this site is for general use only and is not intended for people living with any medical conditions who are seeking personal medical advice; it is not a substitute for the advice of your doctor or midwife. If you have any questions or concerns about individual health matters or the management of your condition, please consult your local GP or midwife.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-d85d9088 fsb-style-show-front\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-f51514ec\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-6c4b488c\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-6c4b488c\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-e9483237\">\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-b83b069f gb-headline-text\">Healthy Lifestyles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-fafa9082 gb-headline-text\">Advice on folic acid, diet, stopping smoking etc&#8230;<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-space-between is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-5723d6ea wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-regular-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/healthy-lifestyles-to-promote-fertility\/\">Healthy Lifestyles to Promote Fertility<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-6529f5d4\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-6529f5d4\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-37d8d135 gb-headline-text\">Sexual Health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-7342888e gb-headline-text\">There are lots of things that men and women can do to improve&nbsp;a woman&#8217;s chance of becoming pregnant.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3e41869c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div style=\"--wp--block-button--width: 100;\" class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill has-custom-width wp-block-button__width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/sexual-health\/\">Sexual                       Health                                           Information<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-b0968363\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-b0968363\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-dadf0725 gb-headline-text\">Struggling to Conceive?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-d633cad1 gb-headline-text\">We can provide help if you are struggling to conceive. You can also speak to your GP about help if you are struggling to get pregnant.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3e41869c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div style=\"--wp--block-button--width: 100;\" class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill has-custom-width wp-block-button__width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/help-if-you-are-struggling-to-conceive\/\">Help if you are Struggling to Conceive<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While this is an exciting, joyful time for many, there can be challenges along the way. These pages are designed to help you through this phase of your life. One of the important things you can do at this stage is to start taking a&nbsp;folic acid&nbsp;supplement. Maintaining a&nbsp;healthy lifestyle, diet, and healthy weight&nbsp;are other issues<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6272,"parent":0,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/widefeaturednoicons.php","meta":{"_gspb_post_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-494","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/08\/Planning-for-Pregnancy-with-Confidence-1.jpg",1920,1080,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/08\/Planning-for-Pregnancy-with-Confidence-1.jpg",1920,1080,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/08\/Planning-for-Pregnancy-with-Confidence-1.jpg",1920,1080,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/08\/Planning-for-Pregnancy-with-Confidence-1-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/08\/Planning-for-Pregnancy-with-Confidence-1-300x169.jpg",300,169,true],"large":["https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/08\/Planning-for-Pregnancy-with-Confidence-1-1024x576.jpg",1024,576,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/08\/Planning-for-Pregnancy-with-Confidence-1-1536x864.jpg",1536,864,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/08\/Planning-for-Pregnancy-with-Confidence-1.jpg",1920,1080,false],"post_slider_thumbnail":["https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2026\/08\/Planning-for-Pregnancy-with-Confidence-1-1520x855.jpg",1520,855,true]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"NHS Lothian","author_link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/author\/nhs-lothian\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":false,"rttpg_excerpt":"While this is an exciting, joyful time for many, there can be challenges along the way. These pages are designed to help you through this phase of your life. One of the important things you can do at this stage is to start taking a&nbsp;folic acid&nbsp;supplement. Maintaining a&nbsp;healthy lifestyle, diet, and healthy weight&nbsp;are other issues","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/494","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=494"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/494\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6540,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/494\/revisions\/6540"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6272"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}