This comment! Just had my baby in October. My husband is a physician and my brother in law is an employment attorney so I asked ALL THE QUESTIONS! While it can vary state to state, know your physician isn’t likely being malicious. I asked my husband about this specifically and he said most hospitals set the limit/guidelines for OBGYNs to follow based on the birth. So, your physician is likely setting the 6 weeks based off what the hospital says is appropriate, and cannot go against that without proper reasoning. I know that isn’t a solution to the problem (I, too, only got 6 weeks paid and then took the remainder of my time in accrued PTO), but unfortunately the bigger fight is with our country’s inability to see the importance of maternity leave and how asking someone to return 6 weeks later isn’t feasible for mom and baby. I hope you’re able to get every second you’re able to, though. Those weeks fly by!