Once you have informed your employer of your pregnancy, you will be asked to provide a Maternity Certificate. 

A Maternity Certificate (MAT B1) enables a pregnant woman to claim:

• Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) from her employer
• Maternity Allowance (MA) from Jobcentre Plus
• Sure Start Maternity Grant (SSMG) from Jobcentre Plus

The certificate:

• verifies the pregnancy
• confirms the date of the expected week of confinement (EWC)
• confirms the actual date of birth when completed after confinement
• Can be completed from not more than 20 weeks the EWC

Your midwife can issue form MAT B1 to you free of charge.