You may refer EA 37(1)(b) Maternity cannot commence earlier than 30days before confinement or later than the day immediately following her confinement However, if the doctor certifies that the female employee, as a result of her advanced state of pregnancy, is unable to perform her work satisfactory, the employee may be required to start her maternity leave at any time during a period of 14days before her confinement,If a female employee stops work and starts her maternity leave on a date earlier than 30days before her confinement, then such abstention from work will not be treated as maternity leave, and she will not be entitled to any maternity Allowance for the days she did not work in excess of the 30days before her confinement EA37(1)(bb)