Going back to work should not require hiding that you are still recovering.

Returning to work & workplace rights

Return-to-work needs can involve pain, lifting, standing, sitting, appointments, mental health, medication effects, fatigue, pumping, privacy, schedule changes, or more leave. Federal protections and state or territorial laws differ, and eligibility depends on facts such as employer coverage and work history.

WHAT YOU CAN TRY TODAY

Write the limitation and the change you need

Keep it concrete: what part of work is difficult, what temporary change may help, when you need it, and when it can be reviewed.

Use the correct channel

Ask HR or the named leave/accommodation contact how to request FMLA leave, a childbirth-related accommodation, pumping time and space, or another workplace adjustment.

Keep your own record

Save requests, responses, deadlines, forms, and dates outside a work-only account. Do not send more medical detail than the process actually requires.

PREPARE THE WORK EMAIL

Ask for the process before a crisis at work.

Choose the needs that apply and create a neutral request. This cannot determine which law covers your job or whether an accommodation must be granted.

Private in this tab · nothing you enter here is saved or sent to us

What needs a conversation?

Who handles this?When do you need an answer?

YOUR WORKPLACE REQUEST

Ask for the right process in writing

I am preparing to return after childbirth and need to discuss a temporary postpartum work adjustment. Please tell me the process, deadline, and documentation HR or my leave contact requires before my return date. I am requesting information about available leave or accommodations, not sharing more medical detail than the process requires.

Review U.S. Department of Labor guidance ↗

Sources and next stepsU.S. DOL: maternal health and work ↗U.S. DOL: pumping protections ↗U.S. DOL: paid-leave map ↗

Educational, not individualized care

This guide cannot assess your health, diagnose a condition, check your complete medicine list, or tell you whether a product or practice is right for you. Use it to ask better questions and make care easier to reach—not to delay needed help.

CDC urgent maternal warning signs ↗