Maternity is used to describe things relating to the help and medical care given to a woman when she is pregnant and when she gives birth. Your job will be kept open for your return after maternity leave maternity clothes. relating to a woman who is pregnant or who has just had a baby paternity. the state of being a mother
the state of being pregnant; the period from conception to birth when a woman carries a developing fetus in her uterus
the quality of having or showing the tenderness and warmth and affection of or befitting a mother; "the girl's motherliness made her invaluable in caring for the children"