Women who are pregnant are entitled to free prescriptions and dental care. This continues for a year after you deliver. You need to obtain form FW8 from your doctor and forward this to the Health Authority. They will send you the appropriate certificate. If you need a certificate of pregnancy when you are first diagnosed as pregnant, please ask your doctor who will provide one. If you are working, your employer may request a MATB1 form later in pregnancy to organise your maternity leave. Your doctor or a midwife can issue this when you are 26 weeks+ pregnant.

You may be entitled to payments from your employer if you have worked for the same employer from the beginning of your pregnancy through to the 26th week. Ask your employer about Statutory Maternity Pay. Women who are self employed, do not have an employer or whose employer cannot pay Statutory Maternity Pay may be entitled to Maternity Allowance. If you think you are entitled to Maternity Allowance, obtain form MA1 from a Social Security office. If you or your partner are receiving Income Support or Family Credit (or do so within 3 months of the birth of your baby) you may be entitled to maternity payment from the Social Fund. Ask for form SF100 from a Social Security office. You will need some proof of pregnancy, such as a maternity certificate or clinic appointment card to claim.

Don't forget that you are entitled to Child Benefit when your baby is born. You need form FB8 for this, again from the Social Security office. They will need to know if you are receiving Child Benefit for another child.