During the time you are working while pregnant you have the legal right to antenatal care. Your employer should complete a full risk assessment of your position to ensure your job does not pose a risk to the health of either you or your baby.
If your job involves dangerous activities such as heavy lifting or dealing with chemicals, your employer should offer you alternative work during the time you are pregnant. If no alternative work is available your employer should offer you paid leave.
Should you have any concerns regarding your health at work you should start by speaking to your employer and consult your doctor or midwife when necessary.
As an employee you are entitled to paid time off to attend antenatal appointments during your pregnancy. You should be paid your usual wage when taking time off to go to an appointment and your employer is not allowed to insist you make up for the time you take off.
If you need to take time off sick during your pregnancy, you are entitled to your usual contracted sick pay. If your sickness is unrelated to your pregnancy you can receive sick pay until the week your baby is due or until your maternity leave is due to start.
If you take sick leave due to an illness related to your pregnancy, you are entitled to statutory sick pay up to the 4 weeks before your maternity leave is due to start. At this stage your maternity leave will automatically begin.