Maternity Leave/When to Return to Work Question

missiongirl78

Ok ladies,

This will be my first child and so I am totally new at this!  My job's maternity leave policy is crappy.  According to law, I can take up to 12 weeks off, but it's all UNPAID.  This is the first job I have ever had where they offered no pay at all for maternity leave.  It's a nonprofit hospital so I guess that's why.  Perks and benefits aren't their top priority. 

Anyway, from the way I read our policy on leave, I can use sick time during my leave, but it has to be "medically necessary."  In other words, as soon as my doctor says I am good enough to go back to work, sick leave stops.  So, my question is, for a normal vaginal delivery, when is a person usually "released" to go back to work? And, can I get OB to work with me on this to my benefit?