...may differ from state to state, I'm not sure. In New York State, businesses which employ fewer than 50 employees are exempt from being required to provide maternity leave. I know this, because I have 40 employees in my own place, but I still voluntarily make some provision for maternity leave cases.
Is it a small place that you work at, Gia? If it's a big place, then your employer may be out of line insisting that you come back to work early.
-- Nanaea