Why Prioritising Antenatal Care Is Key for Working Mums-to-Be

For working mums-to-be, balancing antenatal care with professional responsibilities can feel like a constant tug-of-war. While work commitments are important, prioritising your antenatal care is vital—not just for your baby’s health, but for your own well-being too.

This guide will explore why antenatal care deserves top priority, provide tips for managing work alongside your pregnancy, and highlight the legal rights and support available to pregnant employees in the UK.

The Importance of Antenatal Care

Antenatal care is a cornerstone of a healthy pregnancy. These appointments monitor your baby’s growth, track your own health, and identify potential complications early.

The NHS emphasises that antenatal care helps reduce risks such as preterm labour and low birth weight, ensuring the best outcomes for both mum and baby (NHS). Regular checkups also offer the opportunity to discuss your concerns and learn how to prepare for labour and delivery.

Your Rights as a Pregnant Employee

The UK has robust laws in place to protect pregnant employees, ensuring you can prioritise your health without worrying about workplace repercussions.

Paid Time Off for Antenatal Appointments

You’re entitled to paid time off for all antenatal appointments, which includes medical checkups, antenatal classes, and relaxation techniques like antenatal yoga if recommended by your GP or midwife.

Key points to remember:

You don’t need to make up time or take unpaid leave for antenatal appointments.

Partners are entitled to unpaid leave for two antenatal appointments.

For more information, visit Gov.uk.

Why Working Mums Should Prioritise Antenatal Care

1. It’s Essential for Your Baby’s Health

Regular antenatal checkups allow your midwife or doctor to monitor your baby’s development. Scans, blood tests, and physical examinations can identify issues such as growth restrictions, gestational diabetes, or preeclampsia early, so they can be managed effectively.

2. It Helps You Stay Healthy

Pregnancy is a transformative experience for your body, and antenatal care ensures you’re coping well with the changes. From checking your blood pressure to managing pregnancy symptoms like anaemia, these appointments are key to your health and comfort.

3. It Prepares You for Labour and Beyond

Antenatal classes are an invaluable resource for expecting mums, offering insights into labour positions, pain management techniques, and newborn care. Attending these sessions, whether in person or online, can help you feel confident and prepared for delivery.

Tips for Balancing Antenatal Care with Work

1. Plan Ahead

Book antenatal appointments well in advance to avoid last-minute scheduling conflicts. Many clinics offer early morning or late afternoon slots, allowing you to minimise disruptions to your workday.

2. Communicate with Your Employer

Inform your employer about your pregnancy and share a schedule of your antenatal appointments. Open communication helps set clear expectations and demonstrates your commitment to balancing work and health.

3. Consider Flexible Working

The Equality Act 2010 protects pregnant employees from discrimination, and you have the right to request flexible working arrangements. Options include:

Adjusted start and finish times.

Remote working on appointment days.

Compressing your workweek into fewer days.

Speak to your HR team to explore what works best for you.

Making the Most of Antenatal Care

1. Understand the Key Appointments

Knowing what to expect at each stage of antenatal care can help you plan your work schedule effectively.

First Trimester (0-12 weeks):

Booking Appointment: Discuss your medical history and pregnancy care plan.

Dating Scan: Confirm your baby’s due date.

Second Trimester (13-28 weeks):

Anomaly Scan: Check your baby’s anatomy and growth.

Routine Checkups: Monitor blood pressure, baby’s movements, and overall health.

Third Trimester (29-40 weeks):

Growth Scans: Ensure your baby is growing as expected.

Labour Prep: Discuss birth plans and delivery options with your midwife.

2. Stay Organised

Use a calendar or app to track appointments and work commitments. Colour-coding entries for antenatal care and professional deadlines can help you stay on top of both.

3. Involve Your Partner

Encourage your partner to attend key antenatal appointments and classes. This not only strengthens their understanding of the pregnancy journey but also ensures you feel supported.

Self-Care for Working Mums-to-Be

Balancing pregnancy and work is no small feat, so it’s important to prioritise self-care.

1. Eat Well

Keep healthy snacks like fruits, nuts, and whole-grain crackers at your desk. Antenatal vitamins prescribed by your midwife can also help ensure you’re meeting your nutritional needs.

2. Stay Active

Consider gentle exercises like antenatal yoga or walking to improve circulation, reduce stress, and prepare your body for labour.

3. Take Breaks

Don’t hesitate to step away from your desk for a quick stretch or a moment of calm. Breathing exercises learned in antenatal classes can also help you stay centred during busy days.

Handling Work Stress During Pregnancy

Stress can affect both you and your baby, so it’s crucial to manage it effectively.

1. Set Boundaries

Learn to say no to non-essential tasks or delegate responsibilities when needed. Protecting your energy is vital for your health and productivity.

2. Talk to HR

If work stress becomes unmanageable, discuss adjustments with your HR team. They may be able to reduce your workload or provide additional support.

UK Resources for Support

NHS Pregnancy Services: Comprehensive advice on antenatal care. Visit NHS.

Maternity Action: Guidance on workplace rights during pregnancy. Visit Maternity Action.

Tommy’s PregnancyHub: Tips for managing pregnancy alongside work. Visit Tommy’s.

National Childbirth Trust (NCT): Antenatal classes and resources for working mums. Visit NCT.

Final Thoughts

Prioritising antenatal care while working full-time might feel like a challenge, but it’s an essential step for a healthy and confident pregnancy. By planning ahead, communicating openly with your employer, and taking care of yourself, you can navigate this busy chapter with ease.

Remember, pregnancy is a time to celebrate—not a test of how much you can handle. Be kind to yourself, lean on your support network, and trust that every effort you make is helping to create a healthy, happy future for you and your baby.

You’re not just balancing work and antenatal care—you’re mastering the art of motherhood before your baby even arrives.

Source List

NHS Pregnancy Services. Visit NHS.

Maternity Action. Visit Maternity Action.

Smith, C. A., et al. (2018). “Massage and Acupressure for Pain Management in Labour.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 3. DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD006482.pub3.

Tommy’s PregnancyHub. Visit Tommy’s.

National Childbirth Trust (NCT). Visit NCT.