Maternity refers to the state of being a mother, encompassing the period during pregnancy and after childbirth. It involves various physical, emotional, and social changes as a woman prepares for and adjusts to motherhood. Maternity care includes medical support and education to ensure the health of both the mother and the baby. The concept of maternity also extends to maternity leave, which is a period of time that a mother takes off from work to care for her newborn. This leave is often protected by law in many countries, allowing mothers to bond with their child and recover from childbirth.