‘Two weeks will make such a difference’: UK first as NI brings in miscarriage leave

UK First: Northern Ireland Introduces Paid Miscarriage Leave

For the first time in the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland has implemented a policy granting parents two weeks of paid time off work following a miscarriage at any stage of pregnancy. This change aims to provide emotional and practical support during a deeply personal crisis, offering couples a structured opportunity to process their loss. Erin Sharkey, a volunteer with the Miscarriage Association, described how the new entitlement will help people “validate their feelings” and “take time to grieve together.”

Before this update, parents in Northern Ireland were only eligible for two weeks of bereavement leave after a stillbirth occurring at 24 weeks or later, provided they had worked for at least 26 weeks. The rest of the UK still follows this rule. However, the new provision extends support to all miscarriages, regardless of gestational age, and applies to both the mother and her partner. The leave is paid at the statutory rate of over £194 per week or 90% of weekly pay, whichever is lower. It can be taken as a single block or split into two periods within 56 weeks of the event.

Personal Impact of the Policy

Erin shared how, prior to the policy, she and her partner felt societal pressure to return to work quickly after miscarriages. “It was like having all your dreams for happy moments come crashing down,” she said, describing the emotional toll of losing a child. “During the first few days, people were texting to check in, but then that stopped. I thought I must have reached the point where people expect me to be fine.” Her partner, however, hadn’t taken a day off work, as others had previously done.

“If she had been there with me for two weeks, that would have reduced my trauma significantly,” Erin reflected.

The policy is seen as a critical step by those who have experienced miscarriages. Megan Crowe, a therapist at the White Butterfly Foundation, highlighted that the leave allows families to “take control of their journey” instead of “falling back into old routines.” She emphasized the importance of being present during the early stages of grief to seek support and navigate the emotional aftermath.

Stories of Loss and Resilience

Rebecca Hutchinson, who lost her son Freddie at 12 weeks, described the “chaotic” nature of her experience. “I had just completed my 20-week scan and everything seemed normal. But a week later, I went into early labour,” she recounted. Freddie was delivered at Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool and then buried the following day. “The time from labour to the funeral was exactly a week. It took time for the shock to hit me,” she added.

“Looking back, it just felt chaotic because everything happened so quickly. The fact that all parents are now entitled to two weeks’ leave from day one is amazing—it’ll make such a difference,” Rebecca said.

Selina Casey, founder of the White Butterfly Foundation, shared her own experience of losing her third child during a routine prenatal visit. “I was told there was no heartbeat, and three days later, I delivered my son in a tiny casket with a leaflet for a support group,” she recalled. “It wasn’t until five days later that I could begin to process the grief.” She argued that the new leave will “save relationships” by allowing couples to support each other in the aftermath of a miscarriage.

Victoria Wylie, another individual affected by the change, added her perspective to the growing recognition of the policy’s value. The move marks a significant shift in how miscarriages are acknowledged and supported across the UK.