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

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

For Megan Crowe, the loss of her baby during a 12-week pregnancy in 2020 was a moment of profound disruption. She described the experience as a sudden shift from anticipation to heartbreak, with little time to process the emotional weight. However, this new policy now offers a measure of reassurance for couples in Northern Ireland, granting them two weeks of paid leave following a miscarriage at any stage of pregnancy—a first in the UK.

The initiative provides statutory pay of over £194 per week, or 90% of weekly earnings if that amount is lower. Parents can take the leave as a single block or in two separate periods within 56 weeks of the loss. Unlike previous rules, no medical proof is required; only a simple declaration to the employer is necessary.

“Allowing couples time to spend grieving together after a loss is in itself extremely therapeutic,” said Selina Casey, founder of the White Butterfly Foundation. “Couples need to hold each other in those early stages of grief.”

Erin Sharkey, a volunteer with the Miscarriage Association, emphasized the importance of the change. She noted that the leave would “validate people’s emotions and offer space to navigate the loss as a team.” While her employer had been supportive, she felt societal pressure to return to work quickly. “It was like having all my dreams for happy moments come crashing down,” she explained, describing the impact of repeated miscarriages on her life.

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“The fact that all parents are now entitled to two weeks’ leave, from day one, is amazing—it’ll make such a difference,” said Rebecca Hutchinson, whose son Freddie was lost in 2025. She recalled the chaos of losing her baby just days after a routine scan, with the funeral occurring exactly one week after labor. “Looking back, it just felt chaotic because everything happened so quickly,” she added.

Before this shift, Northern Ireland only allowed two weeks of paid bereavement leave after stillbirths at 24 weeks or later, provided the parent had worked for 26 weeks. The rest of the UK still follows this rule. The Westminster government plans to introduce unpaid leave for one week following miscarriages in England, Scotland, and Wales by 2027, but Northern Ireland’s move sets a new precedent.

At the White Butterfly Foundation, a counseling space near Portglenone, County Antrim, dozens of handcrafted ceramic tiles line the walls. Each tile honors a lost child, including Freddie Hutchinson. The facility aims to support families through the grieving process, offering a place to find solace and guidance. For those who may not have access to such resources, the new leave policy represents a vital step toward healing and solidarity.