Sec5 subsection (3) of the Act defines :The maximum period for which any woman shall be entitled to maternity benefit shall be twelve weeks, that is to say, six weeks up to and including the day of her delivery and
six weeks immediately following that day:
5. Right to payment of maternity benefit. -- (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act,
every woman shall be entitled to, and her employer shall be liable for, the payment of
maternity benefit at the rate of the average daily wage for the period of her actual absence
immediately preceding and including the day of her delivery and for the six weeks
immediately following that day.
Explanation. – For the purpose of this sub-section, the average daily wage means the
average of the woman’s wages payable to her for the days on which she has worked
during the period of three calendar months immediately preceding the date from which
she absents herself on account of maternity.
Reading of the Act provides this information.