Finding out you are pregnant can be a scary time, especially if you are pregnant for the first time and you have no idea to expect.
Roughly speaking, you pregnancy will go like this
Between 8 and 12 weeks you will make a booking-in appointment with your midwife
At 12 weeks you will sometimes be offered a nuchal or dating scan depending on where you live.
Between 12-14 weeks you could contact the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) to book in for your antenatal classes.
At 16 weeks you have a general check up and Antenatal blood tests carried out
At 20 weeks you will have a fetal anomaly scan. This is a routine scan that checks everything from how fast your baby is growing to how many fingers and toes they have.
At 21 weeks you should start thinking about work etc when you give birth. Ask for a Mat B1 form when you go for your next check up. This is what you use to claim maternity pay from your employer.
25 Weeks – You can ask about NHS antenatal classes and first time mums will have a check up.
If you want to start maternity leave as early as possible then can do this from 29 weeks.
New mums will have an Antenatal check-up for first time mums at 31 weeks
At 35 weeks you sit down with your midwife and discuss your birth plan. You also have an antenatal check-up
36 weeks: Blood tests and an antenatal check-up.
At 37 weeks you should pack your bags for hospital.
At 38 weeks you have your last antenatal check-up
And then the next stage and 40 weeks will be labour.