Pregnancy timeline checklist

Week of pregnancyChecklist
  If you work in a high risk area, notify your line manager and Human Resources as soon as possible so that an appropriate maternity risk assessment can be undertaken
First trimester 
1 -11 weeks Consider the Staff health and wellbeing webpages for information on managing stress, work/life balance and wellbeing initiatives.
12 weeks Approximate date of first ultrasound scan
Second trimester 
13 weeks  
14 weeks  
15 weeks  
16 weeks  
17 weeks  
18 weeks  
19 weeks  
20 weeks Approximate date of second ultrasound scan
21 weeks Your GP/midwife will give you the MATB1 form
22 weeks  
23 weeks  
24 weeks  
25 weeks You must inform your employer and HR Business Partner by the 15th week before your baby is due (approx 25 weeks' pregnant) to qualify for maternity leave and pay (this is the Qualifying Week). Your partner should also have informed their employer by now if they will be taking paternity/maternity support leave.
26 weeks  
27 weeks If you wish to opt out of the Pension Salary Exchange, you must inform the Pay and Benefits Office by this week at the latest.
28 weeks  
Third trimester 
29 weeks Your 29th week of pregnancy is the earliest your maternity leave can begin (11th week before the Expected Week of Childbirth (EWC))
30 weeks  
31 weeks  
32 weeks  
33 weeks  
34 weeks  
35 weeks  
36 weeks Your maternity leave may start automatically if you are off sick with a pregnancy-related illness during the 4 weeks before your baby is due
37 weeks Your pregnancy is considered full-term
38 weeks  
39 weeks Maternity leave will commence the day after your baby is born, if the actual birth date is earlier than the commencement of maternity leave date you specified
40 weeks Expected Week of Childbirth (EWC)
After childbirth 
  New mothers are not allowed to return to work within 2 weeks after their baby is born, for health and safety reasons.
  You may take up to 10 Keeping in Touch (KIT days) during your maternity leave.