I think there should be some sort of protection, to a degree. To be laid of due to poor work performance is one thing. But I don't think some employers realize what sort of predicament they put a pregnant woman when they are laid off during pregnancy. Due to the ecomony, I was let go when I was 5 months pregnant. Not for performance related reasons, but because business was slow, we were not able to find new clients. They gave me 2 weeks "severance". Thankfully I had insurance of my own. Now at 7 months, I've had to take a job waitressing just to get by. My growing belly would not have been a selling point IF I had been able to get an interview (which in this economy is tough anyway). I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard-place....