If you're preparing for a baby in Cardiff, include booking maternity care with your GP or NHS Wales maternity service, planning your birth preferences, and arranging essentials such as a car seat, safe sleeping space and feeding supplies. Add practical admin by checking your employer's maternity or paternity leave rules, whether you could qualify for Maternity Allowance, and how to register the birth with Cardiff Council if your baby is born there. Check Healthy Start, Child Benefit and Welsh Government support on GOV.UK and gov.wales, as eligibility depends on your circumstances. Your midwife, health visitor or a regulated adviser can help with questions specific to your situation.