Maternity rights are formed and initiated in order to protect and safe guard the mother and the fetus inside the womb of the mother. Pre natal and post natal care is essential for the pregnant mothers thus enabling a speedy recovery.

Maternity rights mainly aim to disentangle the complications faced by the mother when she has to get back to work after the lapse of the maternity leave. Women from lower income groups are forced to return to work after the expiry of the maternity pay and leave.

Maternity rights of pay and leave are discussed and viewed from the mother's point. Antenatal care must be extended to the employee. It is paid like her usual rate of pay. Medical examinations and relaxation craft classes come under antenatal care.

Antenatal care should be extended to the employee irrespective of work duration and years of work. It is not lawful to terminate or suspend the employee in case of pregnancy or child birth or according to the sex of the marriage. Employee need not furnish any notice to the employer if she has intentions of returning to work after the expiry of the maternity leave. If the employer rather disallows the employee on return of work then it could be treated as dismissal and unlawful.

The laws governing maternity is complicated. Rights and benefits of the employee have to be protected and safe guarded. These rules and regulations have been formed so that employee is not denied of any rights which are due to enjoy during her maternity period. Many women refrain from getting back to work merely because of the fact that they are not prepared to leave the baby in child care centers.

Employers should extend all possible rights to the employee. Employer at his own discretion many grant additional rights and benefits to the employee. Certain health set back may prevent employee from returning to work. In such cases employer may sanction medical benefits if he desires. Patent rights are also formed so that father can enjoy the benefits before the completion of one year from the date of the birth of the baby.