For most women with healthy pregnancies, it is safe to work until just before childbirth. However, the choice of when to stop working is yours as it depends on your health, the health of your baby, and the type of work that you do. Speaking to your maternity care provider about this can help you plan for when you will stop working.
Canada's federal Employment Insurance (EI) provides maternity and parental leave benefits to individuals who are pregnant, have recently given birth, are adopting a child, or are caring for a newborn. It is important to know that the right to parental leave is independent of the right to pregnancy leave. Furthermore, if you are self-employed, you may also be eligible to receive maternity and parental benefits.
For more information on the qualifications for maternity and parental leave, how to apply and receive these benefits and your rights and responsibilities, please check out the resources below.