Key Takeaways
- Maternity leave in Singapore depends on your child’s citizenship and employment status.
- Shared Parental Leave is now additional to the mother’s 16 weeks, not taken from it.
- Use maternity leave as a period to protect sleep, support your body, and manage visitors actively.
- Persistent core weakness, leakage, or abdominal doming during this period may indicate diastasis recti, which is worth getting assessed.
Finding out you’re pregnant comes with plenty to plan, from appointments and preparing for your baby to figuring out how much time you can take away from work. Maternity leave gives you that time, but understanding exactly what you’re entitled to does not have to be complicated.
In Singapore, your entitlement depends on factors including your child’s citizenship, your employment status and when your child is born.
This guide breaks down the different types of maternity and parental leave, how they work, and how you can use your time away from work to support your own recovery as well as your new baby.
How Much Maternity Leave in Singapore Am I Entitled To?
Your maternity leave entitlement depends primarily on your child’s citizenship and your employment status, rather than your own nationality.
There are three main pathways:
- Employee with a Singapore citizen child → 16 weeks Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML)
- Employee with a non-Singapore citizen child → 12 weeks under the Employment Act
- Self-employed → GPML or Government-Paid Maternity Benefit (GPMB), depending on your employment pattern.
Employees whose child is a Singapore citizen are entitled to 16 weeks of Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML), provided they have worked for their employer for at least three continuous months before the child’s birth.
How payment works:
| Child order | How it is funded | Government reimbursement cap |
| 1st and 2nd child | Employer pays the first 8 weeks; Government reimburses the last 8 weeks | Up to $20,000 per child order |
| 3rd and subsequent child | Employer pays you; Government reimburses all 16 weeks | Up to $40,000 per child order |
The reimbursement cap includes CPF contributions. Your employer continues to pay you during your maternity leave and subsequently claims the relevant amount from the Government.
How you can take the leave:
- By default, 16 weeks are taken continuously, starting 4 weeks before the expected date of delivery.
- By mutual agreement with your employer, you can start your leave at any point within the 4 weeks before delivery.
- The first 8 weeks must be taken continuously; the remaining 8 weeks can be taken flexibly within 12 months of your child’s birth.
- You must generally give your employer 4 weeks’ notice before starting GPML, although your employer can waive or shorten this requirement.
If your child is not a Singapore citizen*, you may be entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave under the Employment Act, provided you are covered by the Act and have worked for your employer for at least three continuous months before the birth.
For eligible employees with fewer than two living children, the employer pays the first 8 weeks at the usual monthly salary rate. The remaining 4 weeks are generally unpaid unless your employment contract or company policy provides otherwise.
*A child who is not a Singapore citizen at birth can potentially become eligible for GPML if they obtain Singapore citizenship within 12 months.
Self-employed mothers whose child is a Singapore citizen are also entitled to 16 weeks of Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML), provided they have been self-employed for at least three continuous months before the birth and have lost income during the leave period.
The entitlement is the same 16 weeks as for employees, but the payment mechanism is different. Since there is no employer to pay upfront and claim reimbursement, the government-funded portion is paid directly to you, based on your income.
How payment works:
| Child order | How it is funded |
| 1st and 2nd child | You claim GPML for weeks 9 to 16 (the government-funded portion), calculated based on your Net Trade Income from your IRAS Notice of Assessment |
| 3rd and subsequent child | You claim GPML for all 16 weeks, calculated the same way |
If you do not meet the three-month continuous self-employment criterion – for instance, if you’re an irregular freelancer or your contract work ended during pregnancy – you may still qualify for Government-Paid Maternity Benefit (GPMB) instead. See below for the full eligibility criteria and claims process.
I Am Self Employed, Am I Eligible For Maternity Leave?
Yes. Self-employed mothers in Singapore may qualify for either Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML) or Government-Paid Maternity Benefit (GPMB), depending on their employment pattern.
GPML for self-employed mothers applies if:
- Your child is a Singapore citizen
- You have been self-employed for at least three continuous months before the birth
- You lost income during the GPML period
The government pays the government-funded portion: weeks 9 to 16 for first and second children; all 16 weeks for third and subsequent children. Payment is calculated based on your IRAS Notice of Assessment.
Claims must be submitted via the GPL Portal within three months of the last day of GPML.
GPMB is for mothers who do not meet the three-month continuous criterion, including irregular freelancers, contract workers whose employment ended during pregnancy, and retrenched mothers. It applies if:
- Your child is a Singapore citizen
- You have worked at least 90 days (employed or self-employed, continuously or otherwise) in the 12 months before the birth
GPMB pays the equivalent of the government-paid portion of GPML, calculated from your total income in the 12 months before childbirth. Claims must be submitted within 15 months of the child’s birth.
Explore your leave entitlements here.
Can I Share My Maternity Leave With My Spouse?
Yes, the Shared Parental Leave (SPL) in Singapore gives eligible parents additional paid leave that they can share between them during their child’s first year.
For children born on or after 1 April 2026, eligible parents receive 10 weeks of SPL, up from six weeks for children born between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026.
In practical terms, this means eligible families can now have more paid time at home together, rather than having to give up part of the mother’s maternity leave to create shared leave.
SPL is separate from maternity and paternity leave, and must generally be taken after the respective primary leave has been fully used. The default arrangement divides the 10 weeks equally, with five weeks per parent, but parents can mutually agree to a different split.
The leave must be taken within 12 months of the child’s birth. If there is no agreement on a flexible arrangement, the SPL must generally be taken as one continuous block within the first 26 weeks, with four weeks’ notice given to the employer.
How To Make The Most Of Your Maternity Leave
Having a baby is a significant life change. A maternity leave is an important period to aid in recovery from childbirth, adjust to life with a newborn and find your new rhythm as a family.
You do not need to use each day productively. In the early weeks especially, making the most of your leave may simply mean resting when you can, accepting help and giving your body time to recover.
Prioritise Rest And Sleep
Sleep is one of the strongest predictors of wellbeing in the early postpartum period.
With a newborn, uninterrupted sleep may be difficult, so the goal is to protect opportunities for rest wherever possible.
- Rest when you can, rather than using up every quiet moment to catch up on chores.
- Share night-time responsibilities with your partner where possible, making use of paternity or Shared Parental Leave.
- Set boundaries around visitors if you need more time to sleep or recover.
- Accept practical help with meals, housework and errands, not just baby care.
Give Your Body Time To Recover
Recovery looks different after a c-section and vaginal birth [link to c section vs natural birth article], but neither is something you need to rush.
After a c-section, give your incision time to heal and follow your healthcare team’s advice on activity and lifting. After a vaginal birth, tears, stitches or an episiotomy may require their own recovery period.
Whatever your birth experience, adequate nutrition, hydration and gradual movement can support recovery.
A varied diet containing protein, iron, fruits, vegetables and whole grains helps replenish nutrients used during pregnancy and childbirth.
Accept Help And Set Boundaries
The first weeks can bring plenty of opinions, from family members, friends and social media – about feeding, sleep and confinement.
You do not have to follow every piece of advice. Set visiting hours if that makes things easier, ask visitors to help rather than simply entertain, and give yourself permission to say no when you need rest.
Most importantly, your maternity leave does not need to look a certain way. Each day will vary, with some days better than others.
Know When Something Needs Attention
Maternity leave is also a useful window to notice how your body is recovering.
Some changes are expected after pregnancy, but persistent urinary leakage, back pain, pelvic heaviness, core weakness or visible abdominal “doming” are worth discussing with a healthcare professional.
These symptoms can sometimes be associated with pelvic floor dysfunction or diastasis recti – a separation of the abdominal muscles which affects around 60% of women at six weeks postpartum and around one in three women at 12 months.
Your maternity leave is time to recover, adjust and get the support you need as you become a parent. If you have questions about your postpartum recovery, Prologue Wellness can help you understand what is normal and when it may be worth getting assessed.
FAQs
I am a foreigner or permanent resident. Am I eligible for maternity leave?
Yes, if your child is a Singapore citizen and you meet the other eligibility criteria. The entitlement follows the child’s citizenship, not the mother’s.
I’m not legally married to my child’s father, does that affect my entitlement?
No. Marriage is not a requirement for maternity leave. You are eligible for GPML as long as you meet the standard criteria.
I am currently on probation, am I entitled to maternity leave?
Yes, as long as you are covered by the Employment Act and have completed at least three continuous months of service before the birth.
I work part-time, on contract, or as a temporary worker, am I eligible?
Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria. Payment is based on the number of days you are contracted to work, at your gross rate of pay.
I am self-employed or a freelancer, what am I entitled to?
If you have been self-employed continuously for at least three months and your child is a Singapore citizen, you may qualify for GPML. If you don’t meet the three-month continuous criterion but have worked at least 90 days in the 12 months before birth, you may qualify for GPMB instead. Both are claimed via the GPL Portal.
What is the difference between GPML and GPMB?
GPML is maternity leave taken from employment, with income replacement paid by the employer for the first portion and reimbursed by the government. GPMB is a cash benefit for mothers who do not qualify for GPML due to irregular or non-standard employment, it pays the equivalent of the government-paid portion of GPML.
I am giving birth to twins or triplets, am I entitled to longer maternity leave?
No. Twins or triplets are treated as a single delivery, and no additional leave days are granted.
I had a stillbirth, am I still entitled to maternity leave?
Yes, in full. If you meet the GPML criteria, the stillbirth also counts toward your benefits for a subsequent delivery. If you don’t meet GPML criteria, it won’t affect entitlement for future births.
I had a miscarriage or abortion, am I eligible for maternity leave?
You can take sick leave to recover, but GPML does not apply in this case.
I am adopting a child, am I eligible for maternity leave?
You are not eligible for GPML. You may be eligible for Adoption Leave, check your eligibility on the MOM website.
I was retrenched during my pregnancy. What are my options?
You may qualify for GPMB if your child is a Singapore citizen and you have worked at least 90 days in the 12 months before birth.
Can I take maternity leave before my due date?
Yes. By default, GPML starts four weeks before the expected delivery date. With mutual employer agreement, you can start it at any point within that four-week window before birth.
Can maternity leave be split into flexible blocks?
The first eight weeks must be taken in one continuous stretch. The remaining eight weeks can be taken flexibly over 12 months, but only with mutual employer agreement. Without that agreement, the full leave period must be taken as one block.
Does maternity leave include weekends and public holidays?
When taken as a continuous block, yes. The 16 weeks (112 days) includes rest days, off days, and public holidays that fall within the period. For flexible leave, only working days are counted, and public holidays or rest days during that time are in addition to your leave entitlement.
Can I claim maternity leave pay from more than one employer?
Yes, if you are employed by more than one company simultaneously. Reimbursement limits apply across all employment.
Does Shared Parental Leave come out of my maternity leave?
No, not under the scheme that applies to children born from 1 April 2025. SPL is additional leave on top of the mother’s 16 weeks. The old scheme, under which mothers shared weeks from their own GPML, no longer applies.
Should I take my full maternity leave entitlement?
You are encouraged to. Maternity leave exists for recovery and bonding, and the research supports taking the time. Any unused leave is forfeited; it cannot be carried over or encashed.
Can I use maternity leave to shorten my notice period?
No. Maternity leave can run during your notice period and counts toward it, but it cannot be used to reduce the length of the notice itself. Any leave remaining on your last day of employment is forfeited.
If I change jobs before completing my maternity leave, can I carry the balance over to my new employer?
No. Unused maternity leave cannot be transferred to a new employer.
My employer is refusing to grant me maternity leave, what can I do?
You can file a maternity leave claim against your employer via the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADA) at tal.sg/tadm.
Where can I check my exact entitlement?
Use the MOM Leave Calculator or the GPL Portal to verify your eligibility and submit claims. For disputes, contact TADA.
References
Liu Y, Huang W, Zhang Z, Wang L, Wu X, Chen L and Xia Y (2026) Impact of delivery mode on diastasis recti abdominis, pelvic floor muscle function, and quality of life in early postpartum women: a cross-sectional study. Front. Med. 13:1845766. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1845766
Wan D, Guo L, Cheng S, Ren L, Qin T, Zhang X, Wang H, Zheng Z, Gan X, Liu T, Lin Y. Risk factors for diastasis recti abdominis and its correlation with pelvic organ prolapse among postpartum women in southwest China: a retrospective case-control study. Front Glob Womens Health. 2026 Jan 22;6:1693283. doi: 10.3389/fgwh.2025.1693283. PMID: 41659165; PMCID: PMC12872918.
Sperstad JB, Tennfjord MK, Hilde G, Ellström-Engh M, Bø K. Diastasis recti abdominis during pregnancy and 12 months after childbirth: prevalence, risk factors and report of lumbopelvic pain. Br J Sports Med. 2016 Sep;50(17):1092-6. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-096065. Epub 2016 Jun 20. PMID: 27324871; PMCID: PMC5013086.
