Am I eligible for new maternity benefit of 26 weeks

I am working in private hospital since Jul 2015. I have accumulated 20 days paid leave (PL) and 19 sick leave (SL). I was admitted to hospital on 26th Dec 2016 and had delivery on 3rd Jan 2017, it was premature baby and was on emergency basis. I informed about it to HR on 4th Jan 2017 and asked them to apply my sick leave from 26th Dec 2016 and then paid leave and once both finish off then only start my maternity leave, so that when new law of 26 weeks maternity leave comes, I can get the benefit, as at that time my maternity leave will be ongoing. But now HR saying that my maternity leave is finish as they are going to count the maternity leave from date of delivery i.e from 3rd jan 2017, also as the delivery date is before 1st April 2017, I cannot get 26 weeks benefit. I need help on understanding if am i really eligible for getting 26 weeks maternity leave, if my leaves are applied in this sequence sick leave, paid leave and then maternity leave, counting from 26th Dec 2016. OR maternity leave cannot be taken after one or two or three weeks of child birth. OR maternity leave cannot be taken up like this? Please suggest.