I refer to a BBC report on how the parents of premature babies “need extra maternity leave”, with one such mother from Northern Ireland telling of her anxiety and stress after giving birth to the most premature baby in the UK.

However, for mothers of pre-term babies, the joy of having a new child is tempered with worry, as the newborn may need extended medical attention from being underdeveloped, some may need breathing support, or even surgery to support basic bodily functions. In such situations, it may be weeks or months before the baby is released from hospital, and the parents need mental support to cope. For both the mother and the employer, it would be best for her not to return to work until her baby is healthier, as she may not be in the right frame of mind to give her best.