Planning your maternity leave is a big part of preparing for your baby and protecting your career. Many working women worry about how time away from work will affect their role, performance reviews, or growth. With a clear plan, you can support your health, your baby, and your work responsibilities in a balanced way.
This guide walks you through how to plan your maternity leave step by step. You will learn how to understand your rights and benefits, talk to your manager, create a handover plan, and stay prepared emotionally and financially so that you can go on leave with more confidence and less stress.
What is Maternity Leave and Why Planning Matters
Maternity leave is the period of approved time off from work that a pregnant employee takes before and after childbirth. It is meant to support your physical recovery, allow you to bond with your baby, and reduce stress during a major life change. In many organisations, maternity leave also includes certain job protections and benefits.
Planning your leave matters because it helps you protect your health and your role at the same time. When you prepare early, you get clarity on how long you can be away, who will handle your work, how your pay and benefits will be managed, and what to expect when you return. This reduces uncertainty for you, your manager, and your team.
Good maternity leave planning also helps you push back against outdated stigma around pregnancy or motherhood at work. By being organised, proactive, and clear in your communication, you show that it is possible to be both a committed professional and a present parent.
Understand Your Rights, Benefits and Entitlements
The first step in planning your maternity leave is to understand your maternity rights and benefits. As soon as you confirm your pregnancy, start gathering information from both your employer and official government sources. This will help you make informed decisions about timelines and finances.
Begin with your company’s employee handbook, HR portal, or policies section. Look for details on:
- How many weeks or months of maternity leave you are eligible for
- How much of that time is paid, partially paid, or unpaid
- Whether you can combine maternity leave with annual leave or sick leave
- Health insurance or medical benefits related to pregnancy and childbirth
- Job protection or role guarantee during your absence
If your company does not have a clearly written policy, speak with your HR representative. You can also ask trusted colleagues who have taken maternity leave in the past about their experience. In smaller organisations, some parts of your leave, such as extended unpaid time or flexible return options, may need to be discussed and agreed on directly with management.
Here is a quick overview of key maternity leave rules and benefits in Malaysia.
Maternity Leave Rules and Benefits
Key Act: Employment Act 1955 (Peninsular Malaysia) and state labour ordinances in Sabah and Sarawak
Entitlement: 60 consecutive days of paid maternity leave for eligible employees who have worked at least 90 days.
Pay entitlement: Employees receive their ordinary monthly wages during the leave period.
Additional leave: Some employers offer extended unpaid or partially paid options. An extension may apply if hospitalised immediately before delivery.
Nursing breaks: Many workplaces allow nursing breaks each day for a defined period after childbirth, depending on policy.
Who is covered: Female employees under formal employment contracts who meet the minimum service requirements.
Having this information early helps you plan your savings, medical appointments, and leave dates more confidently.
Interesting Fact: Many working mothers say that understanding their maternity benefits clearly in the first trimester makes later decisions about leave dates and workload much less stressful.
Plan a Healthy Timeline for Your Pregnancy and Work
Once you understand your entitlements, start planning a rough maternity leave timeline. Think about when you want to stop working and how long you hope to stay on leave after the baby is born. Your doctor’s advice, your health, your commute, and the nature of your job will all influence this decision.
For many women, the final few weeks of pregnancy can be physically demanding. If your job involves long hours, travel, or standing for long periods, you may want to finish earlier. If your work is more flexible or remote, you might choose to work closer to your due date. There is no single right answer. Choose what feels realistic and safe for you.
It also helps to break your pregnancy and work timeline into stages:
- First trimester: Focus on understanding your rights and benefits, and start basic discussions with HR if needed.
- Second trimester: Plan your handover, think through projects and deadlines, and talk to your manager.
- Third trimester: Finalise your leave dates, handover documents, and communication plan with your team and clients.
Remember that plans can change due to health reasons or medical advice. Build some flexibility into your timeline so you can adjust if needed without feeling guilty or rushed.
Interesting Fact: Many companies are now open to flexible options such as phased return, part time work, or temporary work from home after maternity leave when employees discuss expectations early.
How to Talk to Your Manager About Your Maternity Leave
Before you share your news with the whole team, it is usually best to speak with your direct manager first. This allows you to handle sensitive details in a private and professional way and gives your manager time to process the information and plan ahead.
Choose a time for a calm, one to one conversation. You can briefly share your news, your expected due date, and a rough idea of when you might like to start your leave. You do not need to have every detail final at this stage, but it helps to show that you are thinking ahead and committed to a smooth transition.
During this discussion, you can cover topics such as:
- Expected timeframe for your maternity leave
- Key projects or responsibilities that will be active around that time
- Potential colleagues who could support or cover your work
- How often you will update your manager as your due date gets closer
Approach the conversation with openness and a problem solving mindset. You are not just announcing a leave, you are inviting your manager to collaborate with you on a plan that works for both sides.
Create a Clear and Organised Handover Plan
Once you and your manager are aligned on the basic timeline, the next step is to build a handover plan. A strong handover reduces stress for you and your team, and it also shows your professionalism and care for your work.
Start by listing your main responsibilities and ongoing projects. For each one, note the current status, important deadlines, key contacts, and any files or tools that others will need access to. Move this into a simple document or spreadsheet that your manager and colleagues can easily follow.
- Summarise major projects and their status
- Mention important dates, meetings, or deliverables during your leave
- Share passwords or access details through secure company channels
- Tag or introduce the colleague who will take over each task
You can also discuss whether you will be reachable in emergencies, or if you prefer not to be contacted at all during your leave. Setting this expectation clearly in advance protects your rest and avoids confusion later.
Interesting Fact: Many managers report that a clear handover document created before maternity leave becomes a useful reference even after the employee returns.
Communicate With Coworkers and Clients Professionally
Once your manager is informed and your handover plan is roughly in place, you can decide when to share your news with your wider team. Some women prefer to wait until the second trimester when things feel more stable, while others share earlier. Do what feels right for you and your health.
When speaking to coworkers, you can keep it simple. Share your news, your expected timeframe for going on leave, and reassure them that a plan is being created so that work will continue smoothly. If a teammate is taking over part of your role, acknowledge and thank them for their support.
For clients or external partners, send a short, professional message closer to your leave date. Let them know:
- That you will be going on maternity leave
- The dates you expect to be away
- The name and contact details of the colleague who will support them in your place
- That you have briefed your colleague on key projects or accounts
This kind of communication shows responsibility and helps maintain trust even while you are away.
Prepare Yourself Emotionally and Financially
Maternity leave planning is not only about schedules and paperwork. It also has a strong emotional and financial side. Many women feel mixed emotions before leave starts, including excitement, anxiety, guilt, or relief. All of these are normal.
On the financial side, review how your income might change during maternity leave. If part of your leave is unpaid or partially paid, start saving early or adjust your monthly spending. You can also plan for extra costs such as hospital bills, baby essentials, and childcare down the line.
Emotionally, it can help to:
- Talk to other mothers you trust about their experience with maternity leave
- Discuss expectations with your partner or family members
- Set boundaries with yourself about work related thoughts during leave
- Remind yourself that taking time to recover and bond with your baby is both important and valid
Preparing in these ways reduces the feeling of being caught between roles and gives you more space to enjoy your time with your newborn.
Final Steps Before You Start Your Maternity Leave
In the final weeks before your maternity leave begins, go through a simple checklist to make sure nothing is left unresolved. Confirm your last working day with HR and your manager, and make sure all required forms and medical certificates are submitted on time.
Update your email signature and set a draft for your out of office reply with dates and backup contact details. Make sure your handover document is shared and easy to find. Clear your desk or digital workspace so that returning later feels fresh rather than overwhelming.
Finally, give yourself permission to switch focus from work to your health and your baby. You have done the planning and preparation. It is now time to rest, recover, and step into this new chapter of your life.
Conclusion
Planning your maternity leave in 2025 is about more than just filling forms. It is about understanding your rights, setting clear expectations at work, and creating space for your physical and emotional wellbeing. When you take the time to plan your leave carefully, you support both your growing family and your long term career.
With early research, open communication, and an organised handover, you can go on maternity leave feeling prepared rather than worried. Your journey into motherhood deserves that care and stability, both at home and at work.
