Your pregnancy checklist, trimester by trimester

One page, every date that matters, in the order it comes up. Print it, tick it, take it to your appointments.

Updated October 13, 2026 · sources checked October 13, 2026

In short

First trimester: contact your midwife or OB, have your booking visit by 8 to 12 weeks and your dating scan at 11 to 14 weeks. Second: anatomy scan at 18 to 22 weeks, first movements by 24 weeks, glucose test at 24 to 28 weeks. Third: Tdap at 27 to 36 weeks (US) or whooping cough by 32 (UK), side-sleeping from 28 weeks, hospital bag by about 36 weeks.

How to use this printable checklist

Work out your week of pregnancy first: our pregnancy week calculator does it from the first day of your last period or your scan date. Then tick off each line as it comes. Timings marked UK follow the NHS schedule, those marked US follow ACOG; where neither is marked, the step applies everywhere. Your own care team may adjust them.

First trimester (to the end of week 13)

As soon as you know: contact a midwife or OB; in the UK, refer yourself to NHS maternity services (NHS)
8 to 12 weeks (UK): booking appointment with your health history, blood pressure, urine test and blood group (NHS)
First visit (US): blood type and Rh factor, tests for infections such as hepatitis B and C and HIV (ACOG)
11 to 14 weeks: dating scan, with optional screening for Down's, Edwards' and Patau's syndromes (NHS)
From booking: keep your maternity notes with you at all times (NHS)
First visit: bring a list of your medicines and ask about each one
Now: read up on what to eat and avoid, and stop alcohol

Useful now: first trimester guide, foods to avoid, caffeine and alcohol, morning sickness.

Second trimester (weeks 14 to 27)

16 weeks (UK): midwife appointment, screening results, blood pressure, urine (NHS)
From 16 weeks, usually 20 (UK): whooping cough vaccine, ideally before 32 weeks (NHS)
18 to 21 weeks (UK), 18 to 22 weeks (US): anatomy scan (NHS, ACOG)
By 24 weeks: first movements felt; tell your midwife if you have felt none (NHS)
24 to 28 weeks: glucose test for gestational diabetes, for all women in the US, if you have a higher chance in the UK (ACOG, NHS)
25 weeks (UK, first baby): midwife appointment (NHS)
From now: think about where and how you would like to give birth (NHS)
When you need them: maternity clothes and a supportive bra in your current size

Useful now: second trimester guide, exercise in pregnancy, maternity clothes sizing.

Third trimester (week 28 to birth)

Useful now: third trimester guide, sleeping positions, hospital bag checklist, birth plan.

Why the side-sleeping line matters

It is the simplest item on the list and one of the most important. The NHS says research suggests falling asleep on your back after 28 weeks can double the risk of stillbirth; an analysis of five studies found going to sleep on the back was linked with higher odds of late stillbirth, and the left and right sides were equally safe (Cronin et al., 2019).

Practical to-dos that are easy to forget

Tell your employer in writing when you are ready, and check your leave rights and pay (maternity, parental, or what your employer offers).
Check your health insurance (US): what it covers for prenatal care, birth and the newborn, and how to add your baby after birth.
Choose a pediatrician (US) or register your baby with a GP after birth (UK).
Prepare a safe sleep space for your baby: a firm, flat mattress in a cot or Moses basket, nothing else in it.
Line up help for the first weeks at home: meals, school runs, a person you can call.

For your partner

Save the maternity unit's and the OB or midwife's numbers in your phone too
Come to the scans and appointments you can, if she would like you there
Learn the side-sleeping advice and the signs that need a call
Take on the practical list: car seat, hospital bag, leave paperwork, meals for the first weeks

Solo, with a partner, a friend or family: whoever will be your birth partner can use this list.

Is this normal? When to call

Tiredness, nausea early on, aches and broken sleep later are all common. Some signs are never something to wait out: call your midwife, maternity unit or OB straight away for any of those below. For urgent advice in the UK, NHS 111; in an emergency, 911 (US) or 999 (UK).

A change in your baby's movements, at any hour (NHS).
Before 37 weeks: regular contractions or tightenings, a gush or trickle of fluid from your vagina, or unusual backache; call your midwife or maternity unit (NHS).
At any stage: a very bad headache, vision problems or sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet.
Emergencies: 911 (US), 999 (UK). For urgent advice in the UK: NHS 111.

Questions parents ask

What should I do first when I find out I am pregnant?

Contact a midwife or OB. In the UK you can refer yourself to NHS maternity services as soon as you know; the booking appointment is usually at 8 to 12 weeks. In the US, call your OB or midwife's office to book your first visit.

When should my hospital bag be ready?

Have it ready a few weeks before your due date, around 36 weeks, as babies do not always wait for 40 weeks. Our hospital bag checklist lists what to put in it.

Which vaccines are recommended in pregnancy?

In the UK, the NHS recommends whooping cough (usually around 20 weeks, ideally before 32), RSV from 28 weeks and flu in season. In the US, ACOG recommends Tdap between 27 and 36 weeks in every pregnancy. Your midwife or OB will tell you what applies to you.

When should I feel my baby move?

Between 16 and 24 weeks, says the NHS, often after 20 weeks in a first pregnancy. If you have felt nothing by 24 weeks, tell your midwife.

Sources

NHS — Your antenatal care and appointments checked October 13, 2026
NHS — Vaccinations in pregnancy checked October 13, 2026
NHS — Your baby's movements checked October 13, 2026
NHS — Tiredness and sleep problems in pregnancy (side-sleeping from 28 weeks) checked October 13, 2026
ACOG — Routine Tests During Pregnancy checked October 13, 2026
ACOG — The Tdap Vaccine and Pregnancy checked October 13, 2026
ACOG — Ultrasound Exams checked October 13, 2026
Office on Women's Health (HHS) — Prenatal care and tests checked October 13, 2026
NHS — Premature labour and birth (signs before 37 weeks) checked October 13, 2026
Cronin RS et al. (2019), EClinicalMedicine — Going-to-sleep position and late stillbirth (PMID 31193832) checked October 13, 2026

Mamavela explains; it does not replace your midwife, doctor or pediatrician, who know your situation. If something worries you, call them. In an emergency, call 911 (US), 999 (UK) or 112.