Your Child’s Health Journey:
At-a-Glance NHS Appointment Guide
This page offers a quick overview of the key NHS appointments and support available from the moment pregnancy is confirmed to the final routine vaccinations in adolescence.
It’s designed to help parents, carers, and families see everything in one clear format—with direct links to more information provided by the NHS. Please note: this guide is based on NHS England advice and may vary slightly by region or individual circumstances. If you spot anything inaccurate, please let me know and I’ll review and update it.
I created this because I would have found it incredibly useful when I was pregnant—just to have all the core dates laid out in front of me. Those early days can feel overwhelming, and sometimes what you need most is a calm, simple view of what support is ahead—or at least some of the support that’s ahead.
I hope you find this helpful—whether you're expecting your first child or keeping track of immunisations in the teenage years.
Pregnancy: Key Antenatal Appointments
As soon as you know you're pregnant, refer yourself to maternity care (also known as antenatal care). You can usually do this online or in person—check your local NHS Trust’s website or call your GP for guidance.
✅ 8–12 weeks – Booking appointment with midwife
Includes your medical history, blood tests, urine sample, lifestyle advice, and planning your care.
✅ 11–14 weeks – Ultrasound scan offered
Also known as the dating scan. Checks baby’s physical development, estimates your due date, and screens for certain conditions.
✅ 16 weeks – Midwife check
Reviews test results, checks your blood pressure and wellbeing, and books your next scan.
✅ 18–21 weeks – 20-week scan offered
Detailed ultrasound to examine to check baby’s physical development.
✅ 25 weeks – (First baby only)
Extra routine check.
✅ 28 weeks –
Routine check-up, blood tests, and first anti-D injection if you're RhD negative.
✅ 31 weeks – (First baby only)
Mid-pregnancy review.
✅ 34, 36, 38, 40, and 41 weeks –
Ongoing midwife checks, birth planning, and post-due-date care.
✅ 42 weeks –
You may be offered induction of labour or increased monitoring if pregnancy continues beyond term.
📍 For more detail about what happens at each appointment, visit the NHS website:
www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/your-pregnancy-care/your-antenatal-appointments
After Birth: Postnatal Tests & Support
Once your baby is born, a team of NHS professionals will support you at home and in clinic. Some checks are done by your midwife or a maternity care assistant (MCA). Others happen later with your GP or health visitor. Here's what to expect—and when.
👶 Essential Newborn Tests (With Consent)
✅ First 72 hours – New baby physical examination
Usually done in hospital by a midwife or doctor. A full check of baby’s eyes, heart, hips, and (if applicable) testes.
✅ Day 5–8 – Heel prick Newborn blood spot screening
Usually done at home by a midwife or maternity care assistant. This tiny blood sample screens for rare but serious conditions (e.g. cystic fibrosis, sickle cell).
📝 You’ll be asked for your consent before the test.
✅ Within 5 weeks – New born hearing screening
Often completed before you leave hospital. If not, you’ll be invited to a local clinic.
✅ 6–8 weeks – GP postnatal check (for baby and mother) GP check-up for baby and mother
Held in your GP surgery.
For baby: growth, development, and general health
For mother: physical recovery, emotional wellbeing, contraception, and any concerns
🤱 Postnatal Support Visits (At Home Unless Otherwise Arranged)
✅ Day 1–2 – First home visit from the community midwife
✅ Up to Day 10 (or longer if needed) – Ongoing midwife or MCA support
Helps with feeding, recovery, and checks on baby's wellbeing
Final midwife visit may vary by area or your needs
✅ Around Day 10–14 – Handover to your health visitor
First visit often at home, then later visits may be at clinic or by phone/video
Health visitors stay in touch through early childhood, usually until age 5
🟦 All results and appointments are recorded in your baby’s Red Book (PCHR)—keep it safe and bring it to all appointments.
The Childhood Immunisation Schedule
8 Weeks
6-in-1 vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib, hepatitis B)
12 Weeks
Second 6-in-1
First Pneumococcal
Second rotavirus
16 Weeks
Third 6-in-1
Second MenB
1 Year
2–Less than 18 Years
Annual flu vaccine (nasal spray)
Age 6 months to under two years - only if in a clinical risk group (or a household contact of an immunocompromised individual)
3 years 4 months
Second MMR dose
12–13 Years
HPV vaccine (offered to boys and girls)
13 - 14 Years
3-in-1 teenage booster (tetanus, diphtheria, polio) (year 9)
MenACWY (teenagers to 25?)
All tests will be recorded in your personal child health record (PCHR) “Red Book”
Resources
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/your-pregnancy-care/your-antenatal-appointments/
A Guide to immunisation for babies up to 13 months
Gov.UK guidance: Flu vaccinations for children and young people
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