Maternity leave and your rights at work
How long maternity leave lasts, who pays for it, and the federal and state rules that protect you while pregnant and pumping.
4 guides · 177 sources cited · By The Mom Site editorial team
Short answer
Most new moms piece leave together: unpaid FMLA if they qualify, a state paid leave program in 12 states and DC, short-term disability, and PTO. These guides show how the pieces stack and what your employer has to allow.
4 maternity leave and work guides
Maternity leave in the US: how long it lasts and who pays (2026)There's no federal paid maternity leave. FMLA gives 12 unpaid weeks if you qualify. How long leave lasts, who pays, and the rules in every state.52 sources · 14 min readShort-term disability for pregnancy: what it pays and for how longShort-term disability usually pays 50-70% of your wages for 6 weeks after a vaginal birth and 8 after a C-section. Plus the 5 state programs and how to file.31 sources · 9 min readYour rights at work while pregnant: the PWFA and state lawsCan you be fired for being pregnant? No. What the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act requires, how to ask for an accommodation, and how to file an EEOC charge.51 sources · 11 min readPumping at work: your rights under the PUMP Act and state lawsThe PUMP Act gives most nursing workers break time and a private, non-bathroom space to pump for a year after birth. Who's covered, state laws and how to file.43 sources · 10 min readFind care, then check what's covered
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