Your Pregnancy To Do List: Staying Organized and Prepared

Stay organised throughout your pregnancy. You can print the list on this page to keep track of things you need to do during your pregnancy, such as book antenatal classes, tell your work you're pregnant and think about where you'd like to have your baby.

Essential First Steps and Antenatal Care

The first critical step is to:

• Take a pregnancy test.

Once pregnancy is confirmed, you should focus on scheduling essential medical appointments and maintaining health:

• Make an appointment to see your midwife or GP: your antenatal care.
• Make sure you've been offered all your screening tests: screening tests in pregnancy.
• Learn about the vaccinations you should get during pregnancy.
• Make an appointment to see a dentist: dentists.
• Ask to hear your baby's heartbeat: your antenatal care.

Health and Lifestyle

Key lifestyle actions ensure you and your baby remain healthy:

• Take folic acid: vitamins, supplements and nutrition in pregnancy.
• Stay active: exercise in pregnancy.
• If you smoke, get help to quit: stop smoking in pregnancy.
• Feeling hungry? Stick to a sensible diet: have a healthy diet in pregnancy and foods to avoid in pregnancy.

Workplace, Financial Rights, and Benefits

Understanding your rights and available financial support is a crucial part of preparation.

• Find out about your rights at work: GOV.UK: maternity pay and leave.
• Write to your employer at least 15 weeks before you plan to stop work: GOV.UK: maternity pay and leave.
• Learn about the benefits you are entitled to, including how to apply for an NHS maternity exemption certificate (MATEX): maternity and paternity benefits and leave.
• Claim free milk, fruit and vegetables through Healthy Start: get help to buy food and milk.
• See if you can claim Maternity Allowance after week 26: GOV.UK: maternity allowance.
• See if you're eligible for a Sure Start Maternity Grant: GOV.UK: Sure Start Maternity Grant.

Planning the Birth and Preparing Supplies

As you approach the latter stages of pregnancy, it is time to focus on the birth logistics and gathering necessary items for the baby.

• Book antenatal classes: antenatal classes.
• Think about where you want to have your baby: where to give birth: the options.
• Start making your birth plan: how to make a birth plan.
• Start getting the things you'll need for your baby: what you'll need for your baby.

The Final Countdown: Preparing for Labour

In the final weeks, the focus shifts to recognizing labor signs and preparing for the immediate delivery process.

• Make sure you know the signs of labour: signs that labour has begun.
• Pack a bag ready for labour and birth: pack your bag for labour.
• For birth partners, prepare for the birth: tips for your birth partner.
• When in labour, phone the maternity unit before leaving home: what happens at the hospital or birth centre.

Key Milestones and Actions Summary

This table outlines some of the most critical actions required during your pregnancy journey, covering health, financial, and preparation steps.