Maternity leave

While you're pregnant you can take paid time off work for antenatal appointments recommended by your doctor, nurse or midwife.

This is called antenatal leave and might include:   

• scans 
• pregnancy health checks 
• relaxation classes, for example pregnancy yoga 
• parentcraft classes 

You’re entitled to paid time off for appointments if they cannot be booked outside of your usual working hours. The time off will include the appointment and any travelling time. 

Booking antenatal leave 

Tell your manager about each of your appointments. You might need to show them your appointment card or a copy of the appointment details. 

Once agreed, you should book your time off in My Oracle under ‘family leave’. Then choose the 'antenatal' option. 

Antenatal support leave 

You can take unpaid leave to accompany someone who is pregnant to 2 antenatal appointments. 

To get antenatal support leave you must be: 

• the father of the child  
• the partner of someone who is pregnant 
• the intended parent (if you’re having a baby through a surrogacy arrangement) 
• the expected parent's nominated main carer

Booking antenatal support leave 

Tell your manager about each of your appointments. You might need to show them your appointment card or a copy of the appointment details. 

Once agreed, you should book your time off in My Oracle under ‘family leave’. Then choose the 'antenatal' option. 

If emergency or unplanned appointments are needed at short notice, ‘dependant’s leave’ or ‘dependent's serious illness or injury leave’ could be a more suitable option.