Ectopic Pregnancy and Maternity Leave: How Much Paid Leave Can She Get?

Dear All,

One of our colleagues wants to take a 2-month leave due to an Ectopic Pregnancy. She needs to undergo laparoscopic surgery, and according to her doctor, she requires bed rest.

As per the amended Maternity Leave Act, how many months of paid leave can be granted to her? Your advice is highly appreciated.

Regards,
Sab

Ectopic Pregnancy and Maternity Leave

Since "ectopic pregnancy" or "tubal pregnancy" is a relatively rare condition where the fertilized egg gets embedded and grows in a place (especially in the fallopian tube) other than the uterus, it is treated with surgery to medically terminate the fetus. Therefore, it falls within the ambit of the term "medical termination of pregnancy" as defined under Section 3(ha) of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. According to Section 9, in the case of medical termination of pregnancy, a woman is entitled to leave with wages for a period of 6 weeks immediately following the day of medical termination of pregnancy. Additionally, as per Section 10, she can also be allowed leave with wages for a maximum period of one month for any illness arising out of such medical termination of pregnancy.