Wellbeing

Working through pregnancy: rights, timing, comfort

4 min read · MyBloomingBelly editorial

First, the law is on your side. India’s Maternity Benefit Act protects you during pregnancy, not just after: an employer cannot dismiss or discriminate against you because of pregnancy, cannot assign you arduous work or long standing hours in the month before your due date, and your 26 weeks of paid leave can begin up to 8 weeks before your expected date. Pregnancy is a protected status, not a performance issue.

When to announce is yours to choose — there is no legal duty to disclose early. Many women wait until after the first trimester; tell earlier if your work involves physical risk, chemicals, or night shifts you need adjusted, or if morning sickness is making secrecy exhausting. Tell your manager before the office guesses: a planned conversation beats a corridor rumour.