Pregnancy/ Maternity

Defined

Pregnancy is the condition of being pregnant or expecting a baby.

Maternity refers to the period after the birth, and is linked to maternity leave in the employment context.

In the non-work context, protection against maternity discrimination is for 26 weeks after giving birth, and this explicitly includes not treating a woman less favourably because she is breastfeeding.

Equality law

Find out more about pregnancy and maternity-related equality law in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Learn more

Policy & guidance

We have provided an overview of our pregnancy and maternity-related policy and guidance information. Learn more

OU resources

You may be interested in some of the resources we provide for our staff and students.  Learn more

External resources

You may be interested in this useful web link to organisations with Pregnancy and maternity-related information. Learn more