I can only speak for my workplace but I think it's pretty standard.... you are allowed asmuch time off as you need for antenatal appointments, however if you are sick within the last four weeks prior to you ECD and the sickness is pregnancy related then your employer is entitled to begin your maternity leave from the date you go sick. For example, I had a chest infection one week before I was due but my work had to accept that as sick because a chest infection is not caused by pregnancy; however, if I had called in sick with a bad back or swollen ankles / feet making it diffficult for me to walk, etc then they would be within their rights to start my mat leave then.