New mum Amy Schumer hits back at critics who say she shouldn't be back at work already

Amy Schumer gave the perfect response to ‘mom-shaming’ social media users who criticised the comedian for returning to work two weeks after giving birth.

The 37-year-old welcomed son Gene Attell on 5 May and performed a stand-up set at New York’s Comedy Cellar on Sunday evening.

To celebrate returning to work, she posted a photograph from the event on Instagram alongside the caption: “I’m back”.

But a number of followers criticised her for not taking enough maternity leave.

“I’m sorry. What?! Didn’t you birth a human like 5 minutes ago,” one wrote [sic].

READ MORE: The ‘motherhood penalty’ is holding back women at work

Another added: “Already???? That’s insane!!! And inhumane. Contract or not you need to be allowed at least 6 weeks for maternity.”

“The poor child, I feel sorry for it!” a third commented.

Determined to prove it’s an entirely personal decision when choosing to return to work, Schumer addressed the backlash with a candid Instagram post showing her breast pumping.

READ MORE: ‘Womb shaming’ barista tries to confiscate pregnant woman’s coffee

She captioned the snap: “Sending out love to the moms shaming me for doing standup last night!”

The refreshingly honest post soon garnered over 700,000 likes with fellow celebrities dubbing the comedian a ‘superwoman’.

Actress Selma Blair commented, “Who the fudge would shame a mom for doing what she does? And how the hell did you do it?”

While singer Demi Lovato simply wrote: “You’re a rockstar.”

In the UK, employees are entitled to up to 52 weeks’ maternity leave. According to Gov.uk the first 16 weeks are known as ‘Ordinary Maternity Leave’ while the last 26 are described as ‘Additional Maternity Leave’.

Employees must take at least two weeks off after childbirth.

READ MORE: How to cope with returning to work after maternity leave

Across the pond, maternity leave is much more difficult to navigate.

The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 enables employees to take up to 12 weeks off work following childbirth but does not guarantee paid leave.

Though some states including the likes of New Jersey, California and New York have their own maternity laws offering partially paid time off.

It’s not the first time Schumer has opened up about the realities of motherhood on Instagram.

Throughout her pregnancy, the new mum used her platform to speak out about her struggle with likes of hyperemesis gravidarum and endometriosis - a great way to spread awareness on the issues.