Definitions

The maternity certificate that verifies the pregnancy and enables you to claim Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) from your employer, and Maternity Allowance (MA) from Jobcentre Plus (Gov.UK, 2012). The certificate needs to be completed by a Midwife or Doctor who is required to complete an examination to verify the pregnancy and confirm the estimated/expected due date. The palpation of the uterus and auscultation of the foetal heart using either a pinard (definition link) or doppler (definition link) is usually sufficient to class as the examination for this certificate. You can request a MATB1 form from 20 weeks of pregnancy, however it is common for this to be given to you at your 24-week Midwifery appointment due to the requirements of examination for issue of the certificate.