The Ultimate Maternity Leave Checklist: Everything to Do Before Baby Arrives

The Ultimate Maternity Leave Checklist

Preparing for maternity leave involves much more than packing a hospital bag. From financial planning to workplace rights, there are dozens of important tasks to complete before your baby arrives. This comprehensive checklist ensures you don't miss anything.

First Trimester (Weeks 1-12)

At Work

• ] Understand your [maternity leave rights — read up on the law

•[ ] Check your employer's maternity policy — look for enhanced pay above SMP

•[ ] Decide when to tell your employer (not legally required until week 25, but many tell after the 12-week scan)

• ] Note your due date and calculate your qualifying week using our [Maternity Leave Planner

Financial

• ] Use our [Maternity Pay Calculator to estimate your SMP

• ] Check if you qualify for SMP or need [Maternity Allowance

•[ ] Start a maternity savings fund — set aside money each month

•[ ] Review your household budget and identify areas to cut

Health

•[ ] Register with your midwife and attend your booking appointment

•[ ] Know that you're entitled to paid time off for all antenatal appointments

Second Trimester (Weeks 13-27)

At Work

•[ ] Tell your employer about your pregnancy (legally required by week 25)

• ] Write your [maternity leave notification letter

•[ ] Provide your MATB1 certificate (available from around week 20)

• ] Choose your maternity leave start date — see our guide on [when to start

•[ ] Discuss handover plans with your manager

•[ ] Check if your employer will continue any benefits during maternity leave

Financial

• ] [Calculate your take-home maternity pay after tax and NI

• ] [Calculate your Child Benefit entitlement

• ] Check eligibility for other [benefits during maternity leave

•[ ] Review and reduce regular outgoings — cancel unused subscriptions

• ] Consider whether [Shared Parental Leave makes sense for your family

• ] Read our [financial planning guide

Health

•[ ] Ensure your employer has done a workplace risk assessment

•[ ] Request any necessary adjustments to your working conditions

Third Trimester (Weeks 28-40)

At Work

•[ ] Confirm your maternity leave start date with your employer

•[ ] Complete your work handover — brief colleagues on your responsibilities

•[ ] Set up out-of-office messages for your last day

• ] Discuss [KIT days with your manager

•[ ] Confirm how you'll be contacted during leave (if at all)

•[ ] Ensure your contact details and bank details are correct for SMP payments

• ] Consider using annual leave before maternity leave starts — read about [annual leave and maternity

Financial

•[ ] Finalise your maternity leave budget

•[ ] Ensure your savings buffer is in place

• ] If applicable, apply for [Maternity Allowance (from week 26)

•[ ] Set up any benefit claims that can be arranged in advance

•[ ] Review insurance policies (life, income protection, home)

•[ ] Check your mortgage or rent situation — can you manage on reduced income?

Practical

•[ ] Research childcare options for your return — waiting lists can be long

•[ ] Pack your hospital bag

•[ ] Install the car seat

•[ ] Prepare the baby's sleeping area

After the Birth

Within the First Week

•[ ] Register your baby's birth (within 42 days in England/Wales, 21 in Scotland)

•[ ] Apply for Child Benefit using form CH2 — don't delay, it can only be backdated 3 months

•[ ] Notify your employer of the birth (especially if baby arrived before your planned leave date)

Within the First Month

•[ ] Check your first SMP payment has arrived correctly

•[ ] Apply for any additional benefits you're entitled to

•[ ] Register your baby with a GP

•[ ] If applicable, apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant

During Maternity Leave

• ] Keep track of your [KIT days if you use them

•[ ] Monitor your budget against your plan

•[ ] Consider your return-to-work plans — you don't need to decide immediately

•[ ] Check with HR about any workplace changes or restructuring

Before Returning to Work

•[ ] Give your employer at least 8 weeks' notice if returning early

•[ ] Arrange childcare and do settling-in sessions

• ] Check childcare costs and apply for Tax-Free Childcare or free hours — see our [childcare costs guide

•[ ] Consider requesting flexible working if needed

•[ ] Use accrued annual leave to ease the transition

•[ ] Attend KIT days to reconnect with your workplace

• ] Read our guide on [returning to work after maternity

Key Contacts

•ACAS (workplace rights): 0300 123 1100

•HMRC (tax and SMP queries): 0300 200 3300

•DWP (Maternity Allowance): 0800 169 0283

•Child Benefit helpline: 0300 200 3100

•Maternity Action (charity helpline): 0808 802 0029

Your Maternity Pay Tools

•Maternity Pay Calculator — week-by-week SMP breakdown

•Maternity Leave Planner — all your key dates

•Maternity Allowance Calculator — if you don't qualify for SMP

•Child Benefit Calculator — including High Income Charge

•Take-Home Pay Calculator — after-tax maternity pay