How does maternity leave work? Do I have to request the 2 weeks off?

It’s different for each company but for most you have to complete paperwork and give an estimated set of dates for your leave. Get in contact with your hr department or whoever is in charge of hr type things if you don’t have a department

Standard time off work is 6w for vagina, 8w for csection. Unless you can get your doc to clear you to go back sooner.