Maternity refers to the state of being a mother. It refers to the period after the birth, and is linked to maternity leave in the employment context. In a non-work context, protection against maternity discrimination is for close to 26 weeks after giving birth, and this includes treating a woman unfavourably because she is breastfeeding.
The baby and the mother are of prime importance and excess care is taken for their nutritional and psychological well-being. Mternity refers to the legal as well as social acknowledgement of the parental relationship between a mother and her child. Its main objective is protection of the child after childbirth.
