Pregnancy is one of the biggest journeys anyone will ever go on.

Honestly…. It feels exhausting if you’re not prepared for what to expect each week. Thankfully, with a proper pregnancy checklist, you can take pregnancy one trimester at a time.

This pregnancy planner tells you exactly what to expect, week by week. From your first scan to packing your hospital bag, this is the essential, no nonsense guide.

Let’s jump in!

Image of ultrasound photos on a blanket.

Here’s what’s inside:

  • Why Pregnancy Care Matters
  • First Trimester Checklist (Weeks 1-12)
  • Second Trimester Checklist (Weeks 13-27)
  • Third Trimester Checklist (Weeks 28-40+)
  • Pregnancy Care Tips That Actually Help

Why Pregnancy Care Matters

Pregnancy care isn’t just about doctor visits.

Taking care of your body, mind, and growing baby. Effective prenatal care starting in week one is associated with improved birth results, less complications and a faster postpartum recovery.

Here’s the reality:

There were 542,773 deliveries in England in 2024-25 alone. That’s millions of parents going through that process… And many don’t feel supported every step of the way.

Others go private for a more tailored approach. Private midwives such as Chrissie Yu offer customisable pregnancy care packages that exceed what you can receive during your NHS appointments. Many services dedicated to private pregnancy care include longer appointments, midwife continuity, flexible scans and more.

Whether you plan to go the NHS route, private route, or both. Creating checklists for each trimester is one of the wisest steps to take.

First Trimester Checklist (Weeks 1-12)

The first trimester is where it all kicks off.

It’s also when most of your baby’s early milestones will occur. Now is the time to set good habits and schedule appointments early.

Here’s what to tick off in the first trimester:

  • Book the first GP or midwife appointment
  • Start taking folic acid (400 micrograms daily)
  • Begin vitamin D supplements
  • Quit smoking, alcohol, and recreational drugs
  • Avoid high-risk foods (soft cheeses, raw fish, pâté)
  • Schedule the dating scan (around 8-14 weeks)
  • Tell the workplace and review maternity rights

The dating scan at 12 weeks is the important scan. This confirms your due date and screens for conditions early on.

FYI Booking maternity care as soon as possible is more important than most realise. Latest recommendations from NICE say booking at 10 weeks or under is best for safest outcomes. Women booking over 35 also have much higher maternal risk factors.

This trimester can also have an impact on your mental health. Feeling down, tired and dealing with morning sickness are all normal things to feel… But if anything feels like it isn’t right, please get in touch with a midwife. More than 57,000 new and expectant mothers accessed perinatal mental health specialists in 2023-24, so there is no shame in reaching out.

Second Trimester Checklist (Weeks 13-27)

Welcome to the “honeymoon” trimester.

Around this time most moms start feeling better and have more energy. They start to show a baby bump as well. Some of the most significant steps in prenatal care occur during this time.

Here’s the second trimester checklist:

  • Book the 20-week anomaly scan
  • Get the whooping cough vaccine (from 16 weeks)
  • Start pelvic floor exercises
  • Begin antenatal classes (book early — they fill up fast)
  • Sort out maternity leave paperwork
  • Start putting together a birth plan
  • Monitor baby movements (usually felt from 18-24 weeks)

The 20 week scan looks at your baby’s development in detail. This is a long appointment so make sure you take time off work and arrange for your partner to come with you if they can.

Daily routines become important at this stage too. Drinking enough water each day (~2-2.5 litres), maintaining light activity such as walking/swimming and eating iron-rich foods to avoid anemia can all contribute greatly. Oral visits should continue as well as gum disease has been associated with preterm birth.

(There’s that “look after the basics first” rule in action again.)

Third Trimester Checklist (Weeks 28-40+)

The final stretch.

The focus this trimester is preparing for birth, recovery, and baby. You also have lots to track as many risks like high blood pressure and preeclampsia develop later on.

Here’s the third trimester checklist:

  • Pack the hospital bag (by week 36 at the latest)
  • Finalise the birth plan
  • Install the car seat
  • Stock up on newborn essentials
  • Attend remaining antenatal classes
  • Track baby movements daily (any reduction = call the midwife)
  • Plan postnatal support (meals, visitors, help around the house)

Appointments become more frequent towards the end of your third trimester. Your midwife will check your blood pressure, urine, baby’s position and growth at each visit.

Things to watch out for:

  • Severe headaches or vision changes
  • Sudden swelling in the face, hands, or feet
  • Reduced foetal movements
  • Bleeding or fluid leaking

One of these requires you to phone maternity urgently. Do NOT ignore.

Pregnancy Care Tips That Actually Help

A good pregnancy care plan isn’t just about ticking boxes…

It’s also the little daily decisions and practices that lead to a healthy outcome. These decisions accumulate throughout all three trimesters and often mean the most difference in how a person feels day to day.

Sleep is one of the underrated ones. Try for 7-9 hours when you can and start sleeping on your left side from the 3rd trimester onwards as it aids blood flow to the baby. Eating little and often also helps with nausea/reflux and keeping caffeine intake to under 200mg/day is what you usually hear.

Mental wellbeing matters just as much:

  • Talk openly with a partner, friend, or midwife
  • Join a pregnancy support group (online or in-person)
  • Limit doom-scrolling on pregnancy forums
  • Practice breathing exercises (great for labour too)

Plus the birth partner! They’re involved in a huge amount of your pregnancy care too. They attend scans, support you through labour and the weeks after.

Bringing It All Together

Pregnancy care doesn’t need to feel like a guessing game.

A trimester checklist will help you keep track of the essentials but still enjoy each milestone. Because who wants to forget the first scan or booking appointment when there’s a baby to think about? From maternity clothes to birthing class and beyond… Every milestone is one step closer to a safe, healthy delivery. Let’s break it down:

  • First trimester is about early appointments and healthy habits
  • Second trimester is about scans, classes, and planning
  • Third trimester is about preparation and watching for warning signs
  • Daily habits matter just as much as the big appointments

Every pregnancy is unique and there’s no manual for being pregnant. Following a comprehensive pregnancy care checklist is one of the best ways to feel empowered though… From the beginning weeks to meeting your baby.