This period of maternity leave is unpaid and the employee can, if she wishes, go on maternity leave four weeks before the expected date of birth, and stay off work for another three months after the child is born.

Any leave taken by a mother due to the illness of the baby, following soon after its birth, will be considered maternity leave rather than family responsibility leave.

If the mother wants to come back to work earlier than six weeks after her child has been born, she can do this provided a doctor has given a certificate saying that this is safe for the mother to do. (See: Maternity Benefits)