Schedule of care

You can use the checklist below to monitor your progress through your pregnancy. Please talk to your midwife if you need more information about your antenatal care schedule.

Less than eight weeks pregnant

If you are less than eight weeks pregnant, book an appointment with your GP or fill in a self-referral form to arrange your first appointment with the midwife. You should also:

If you are a smoker, it is really important for you to stop smoking for your health and the health of your unborn baby. Find out how smoking can harm your baby.

8-10 weeks pregnant: your booking appointment

You will usually have your first appointment with the midwife when you are 8-10 weeks pregnant. Your midwife will:

  • ask questions about your health, health history and the health of your family
  • take your blood pressure and test your urine for infection and diabetes
  • give you information about a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy.

Read more about your antenatal care.

10-13 weeks pregnant: your first ultrasound scan

When you are between 10 and 13 weeks pregnant, you will be invited for your first ultrasound scan to determine the expected date your baby will be born. You will also be offered a screening test for Down's syndrome and other conditions.

16 weeks pregnant: midwife appointment

At this appointment your blood pressure will be checked and your urine tested for signs of infection, diabetes and ‘pre-eclampsia’. You will be given your blood test results and the results of your ultrasound scan will be discussed with you. Your midwife will also provide information about antenatal classes and you will be given information about your second scan. This scan is sometimes called an anomaly scan.

19-20 weeks pregnant: second ultrasound scan 

When you are between 19 and 20 weeks pregnant you will be invited for your second ultrasound scan. During this scan the sonographer:

  • looks for abnormalities in the baby and checks the position of the placenta
  • may be able to tell you the sex of your baby, should you wish to know. Please note that this is not the purpose of the scan.

25 weeks pregnant: midwife appointment

If this is your first pregnancy, you will see the midwife when you are 25 weeks pregnant. At this appointment your midwife will:

  • check your blood pressure
  • measure your uterus (womb) in centimetres to assess the growth of your baby
  • ask you how frequently your baby is moving
  • give you your MATB1 certificate which enables you to claim maternity leave, maternity pay and certain benefits
  • discuss the anti-D injection with you, if you are rhesus negative.

28 weeks pregnant: midwife appointment

When you are 28 weeks pregnant you will see the midwife who will:

  • check your blood pressure
  • measure your uterus (womb) in centimetres to assess the growth of your baby
  • ask how frequently your baby is moving
  • offer you repeat blood tests for haemoglobin (iron) levels and to check whether you have developed antibodies in your blood.

At this appointment your midwife will also discuss your baby feeding choices and ensure you have arranged for antenatal classes if you wish to attend them.

31 weeks pregnant: midwife appointment

When you are 31 weeks pregnant you will see the midwife who will:

  • check your blood pressure and uterus
  • ask how frequently your baby is moving
  • discuss any blood test results with you.

36 weeks pregnant: midwife appointment

When you are 36 weeks pregnant you will see the midwife who will:

  • check your blood pressure and uterus
  • ask how frequently your baby is moving
  • check the position of your baby
  • discuss your plans for labour and birth.

You will also be given information about recognising early labour and when to call the hospital/midwife. Your midwife will discuss your plans for feeding and caring for your baby and for yourself after birth.

38 weeks pregnant: midwife appointment

When you are 38 weeks pregnant you will see the midwife who will:

  • check your blood pressure and uterus
  • ask how frequently your baby is moving
  • check the position of your baby
  • discuss your options if your baby doesn’t come before one week after your due date.

40 weeks pregnant: midwife appointment

When you are 40 weeks pregnant you will see the midwife who will:

  • check your blood pressure and uterus
  • ask how frequently your baby is moving
  • check the position of your baby
  • discuss your options if your baby doesn’t come before one week after your due date.

41 weeks pregnant: midwife appointment

When you are 41 weeks pregnant you will see the midwife who will:

  • check your blood pressure and uterus
  • ask how frequently your baby is moving
  • check the position of your baby
  • offer you a ‘membrane sweep’ which may increase the chances of your baby being born before 42 weeks
  • discuss your options for induction of labour and book you in for around 10 to 14 days after your due date, if you would like this.