[IrishLake]

Speaking from personal experience.... maternity leave sucks compared to the rest of the developed countries of the world. I did not get short term disability, I was told my company did not participate in that for maternity leave. I had to save as much vacation time as possible. I was covered under the 12 weeks of FMLA, but I knew if I wasn't back at 6 weeks, I would regret it. I even took my babies in to work with me so I could catch up on stuff while I was on leave, my job was that high-stress. Pumping was not a problem, as I asked for and was given my own office so I could close the door.
A friend of mine in Londonderry (NoIreland) had a baby around the same time... and she had the whole next year off, paid.