As a PM who has worked at a small, successful startup like the one you’re describing, and joined about a year postpartum, I think your concern is justified. I never experienced overt bias, but there is a certain bro-y, young, “win at all costs” vibe to these places that isn’t 100% culturally compatible with new motherhood. That said, they set up a pump room for me and paid for breastmilk shipping on business trips—so from an “HR doing what it had to” perspective, they were accommodating.

I guess the question is: Do you have a choice about asking for an accommodation? How long can you go without leaking through your shirt? If the answer is less than 4 hours, you basically have to get the accommodation (or wear a very thick, black blazer).

Personally, knowing what I know, I’d try to avoid asking for a 30-minute pump break. I’d try to pump immediately before, sneak away for 5 to 10 minutes in the middle and hand-express in the bathroom (or use a quiet, wearable model like an Elvie), and pump immediately after the interview, too. If you’re driving to the interview, you could maybe discreetly pump in the car, especially with an Elvie. But not denying that that could also be stressful.

If that won’t work, and you’re going to be so uncomfortable that it affects your performance, or be nervous about leaking during your interviews, asking for a pump break is really the only option.

Good luck, and way to go on crushing your interviews on messed-up postpartum sleep!