Your pregnancy, trimester by trimester
Pregnancy care in the UK follows a rough pattern, but your care should fit you. Here's what happens when, what to ask for, and what to do if something doesn't feel right.
Severe headache · Changes to your vision · Sudden swelling of face or hands · Reduced or changed baby movements · Any bleeding · Waters breaking early · Itching, especially hands and feet
Contact your maternity unit straight away. Never wait until morning, and never worry about bothering them.
111 for urgent advice · 999 in an emergency
Save your maternity triage number in your phone now:
These signs need urgent attention — day or night
First trimester (weeks 1–12)
- Get booked in early. Contact your GP or refer yourself directly to your local maternity service as soon as you know you’re pregnant. Earlier booking means earlier screening and support.
- Your booking appointment should ideally happen by 10 weeks — health history, blood tests, screening options.
- Ask for an interpreter now. You are entitled to a professional interpreter at every appointment. You should not have to rely on family members to translate.
- A dating scan is offered at around 11–14 weeks.
- Common: tiredness, nausea, tender breasts, mood changes.
- Not just “part of it”: severe vomiting (hyperemesis) is not something to endure. Seek help.
🔗 Refer yourself for NHS pregnancy care · 🔗 Screening for sickle cell and thalassaemia
Second trimester (weeks 13–27)
- The anomaly scan at 18–21 weeks checks your baby’s development.
- You’ll start to feel movements between 16 and 24 weeks — see above.
- Book antenatal classes early. Ask your midwife about free NHS classes; places fill quickly.
Third trimester (weeks 28–40+)
- Appointments become more frequent — bump, blood pressure and urine checked each time. Ask what your readings mean.
- Write your birth plan and share it with your midwife.
- Pack your hospital bag by around 36 weeks, earlier for twins or if you’ve been told your baby may come early.
- Fit the car seat and practise with it. You can’t leave by car without one.
Your rights
In every appointment, remember
- You can ask questions until you understand the answer.
- You can say no to any examination or procedure, and change your mind at any time.
- You are entitled to an interpreter at every appointment and during labour.
- You can ask for a second opinion.
If your concerns are brushed aside, say: “I am worried about X. Please examine me and record my concern in my notes.”
Jargon buster teaser
Don’t nod along — ask
Fundal height. Braxton Hicks. VBAC. Unfamiliar words are one of the biggest barriers to confident maternity care.
Antenatal classes
- Free NHS classes — through your maternity unit or local Family Hub. Ask your midwife to book you in early.
- NCT classes (paid) — financial support is available for those on lower incomes. Always ask.
- Charity and community classes — free or low-cost, some in other languages.
- Online and apps — Baby Buddy is free and NHS-endorsed.
Where to get help
Who |
What they offer |
|---|---|
| Your maternity unit | 24 hours, for any concern about you or your baby |
| Tommy’s Midwives’ Helpline | 0800 0147 800, Mon–Fri 9–5 |
| Tommy’s Black and Black Mixed-Heritage Helpline | Run with Five X More |
| Five X More | Advocacy tools for Black women in maternity care |
| Birthrights | Your legal rights in childbirth |
| Maternity Action | Rights at work, benefits, and NHS charging for migrant women |
| NHS Pregnancy Guide | nhs.uk/pregnancy |