Maternity leave is time off work specifically for mothers to recover from childbirth and care for their new baby. It usually starts before or right after the baby is born and is mainly for the mother’s recovery and bonding with the newborn. If your baby is born preterm or needs special medical care, maternity leave may be extended, depending on national regulations, to give you more time to care for your baby while they recover and grow.

Parental leave gives you time off from work so you can take care of and raise your child yourself. Eventually, either parent (mother or father) can take it. To get some form of pay while you are off work, you usually have to apply for it. The conditions, duration and amount of the allowance vary from country to country. If you have a preterm baby, you may be able to get the allowance for longer.

You can ask healthcare professionals, local parent groups, or the hospital's social worker for advice on your rights. You can also find out about the regulations on national government websites.

You should have the right to request special leave from work if your baby has died. Your local services should help you with the information you need.

If you feel overwhelmed by this kind of information, do not hesitate to ask someone for help and go through it together. It can feel like a lot to deal with, contacting your local parent organisation can assist with information.