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

UK First: Northern Ireland Introduces Two-Week Miscarriage Leave

Erin Sharkey once struggled with the emotional toll of miscarriages, often unsure how much time to dedicate to processing her loss alongside her partner. Now, for her and others in Northern Ireland, there is a clearer path: the region has become the first part of the UK to offer two weeks of paid leave for both parents following a miscarriage at any stage of pregnancy. This change aims to provide space for shared grief and emotional recovery.

“This policy will give people the validation for their feelings and time to process the loss together,” said Erin, a volunteer with the Miscarriage Association. She noted that while her employer was supportive, societal expectations often pushed her to return to work quickly. “Miscarriages felt like having all your dreams for happy moments come crashing down,” she explained, describing the sudden shift from anticipation to profound sorrow.

The new leave entitlement is paid at the statutory rate of over £194 weekly, or 90% of weekly pay if that is lower. It can be taken as a single block or split into two separate periods within 56 weeks of the miscarriage. Parents need not submit medical evidence—only a brief explanation of the event is required.

Previously, Northern Ireland allowed only two weeks of paid bereavement leave after a stillbirth at 24 weeks or more, provided the parent had worked for 26 weeks. This standard remains in place for the rest of the UK, though the Westminster government plans to expand unpaid leave for miscarriages in England, Scotland, and Wales by 2027.

Therapeutic Value of Shared Grief

Psychotherapist Selina Casey, founder of the White Butterfly Foundation, highlighted the importance of time for couples to grieve collectively. After losing her third child in 2021, she described a harrowing experience: “I attended a routine appointment while pregnant with my third child, only to be told there was no heartbeat. Three days later, I delivered my son in a tiny casket, holding a leaflet for a support group.” She emphasized that the first five days were spent in a blur, with the full weight of her grief hitting later.

“Allowing couples time to spend grieving together after a loss is in itself extremely therapeutic,” Casey said. “They need to hold each other during those early stages to heal.” Megan Crowe, a therapist at the charity, shared a similar perspective. She lost her baby at 12 weeks in 2020 and noted that the new leave would let families “take control of their journey” instead of reverting to pre-loss routines. “It gives them the chance to be present and seek support early,” she added.

Rebecca Hutchinson, whose son Freddie was born in 2025, described the chaos of a sudden loss. “I had just completed my 20-week scan, and everything seemed fine,” she recalled. But a week later, she went into early labor, leading to a rushed post-mortem at Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool. “The time from labor to Freddie’s funeral was exactly a week,” she said. “Looking back, it all felt too fast, and the shock took time to settle.”

Before the policy change, Hutchinson and others relied on sick leave to cope. “There was no other provision,” she said, though her employers were understanding. “Now, all parents are entitled to two weeks’ leave from day one—this will make such a difference.”