9 Things You Need to Know About Maternity Leave

Having a baby soon? Learn how to maximize your benefits when taking time off from work.

What You’re Entitled To

This article originally appeared on LearnVest.com.

Whether you’re thinking about having a baby or simply curious about the distant future—what’s the deal with maternity leave? Federal law requires your employer to give you at least 12 weeks off, but it only mandates unpaid leave. The most common reason new mothers return to work sooner than they’d like to is because they can’t afford to go without their salaries any longer.

Here’s what you need to know.