Medical disclaimer

What this site is

ShePrep publishes general information about trying to conceive, pregnancy and the first year of a baby's life. It is written to help you understand what is happening and what your options are, so that conversations with your own clinicians are easier.

What this site is not

It is not medical advice, and it cannot be. We do not know your history, your medications, your test results or your circumstances. Nothing here replaces your midwife, GP, obstetrician or maternity unit.

If you are worried about symptoms, contact your maternity team. They would far rather hear from you unnecessarily than not hear from you at all.

In an emergency

If you are bleeding heavily, in severe pain, have a severe headache with visual changes, or your baby's movements have clearly reduced, contact your maternity unit or emergency services immediately. Do not wait, and do not use this site to decide whether it is serious enough.

How our content is produced

Every health page names the person who wrote it and the person who reviewed it before publication. Our reviewers are not currently registered clinicians, and we do not claim clinical sign-off — when a clinician joins the review process we will say so here and show their credentials on every page they review. Each page lists the sources it draws on. Where national guidance genuinely differs between countries, we say so and name the body we are quoting rather than presenting one country's position as universal.

Where guidance differs

Advice on some topics is not the same everywhere. Guidance on runny eggs, deli meat, and safe fish differs between the UK, the US and Australia — among others. We show you which country's guidance you are reading and let you switch. Follow the guidance that applies where you receive your care.

Reporting a problem

If you believe something on this site is inaccurate or out of date, please tell us. We will check it against current guidance and correct it, and we would rather hear about it than not.