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Find out about benefits and support you're entitled to when you're pregnant including NHS pregnancy care, free prescriptions and NHS dental care.
NHS pregnancy care is available to everyone who is pregnant.
This is the care you have while you're pregnant to help make sure you and your baby are as healthy as possible.
NHS pregnancy care includes:
If you're pregnant or have had a baby in the past 12 months, you're entitled to free NHS prescriptions and free NHS dental treatment.
You need to have a maternity exemption certificate (MatEx) to get free prescriptions and free dental treatment.
You are usually entitled to the MatEx certificate as soon as you know you're pregnant.
Your midwife, GP or health visitor will complete the application form for you. Ask them about it if you haven not been offered it.
Find out more about the maternity exemption certificate on the NHS Business Services Authority website
If you have a job and are pregnant, you have the right to paid time off for antenatal appointments.
Your employer must pay you your normal rate for this time off.
This can also include antenatal or parenting classes.
There may also be other benefits you can claim towards health costs.
Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for:
You can seek advice on maternity benefits as soon as you find out you're pregnant.
If you have a job and you're pregnant, you're entitled to 52 weeks (1 year) of maternity leave.
Depending on your situation there might be other benefits to support you.
There are lots of organisations that can offer information and advice.
Everyone who is pregnant in England will be offered NHS pregnancy care, but you may be asked to pay for it afterwards if you do not usually live in the UK.
Find out about how to access NHS services in England if you are visiting from abroad
Content last reviewed by the NHS: 06 March 2029
Content last collected from the NHS: 04 September 2026
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