UK First: Northern Ireland Introduces Two-Week Miscarriage Leave

For Erin Sharkey, the experience of miscarriage once meant navigating grief alone, unsure how much time to dedicate to healing. Now, in Northern Ireland, a new policy offers clarity and support, granting parents two weeks of paid leave following a pregnancy loss. This marks the first time in the UK that such leave is universally available, regardless of the stage of pregnancy.

Validation for Grief

Erin, a volunteer with the Miscarriage Association, emphasized the significance of the change. “It gives people the validation for their feelings and time to process the loss together,” she said. Previously, she felt societal pressure to return to work swiftly, even as the emotional impact of her miscarriages lingered. “It’s like having all your dreams for happy moments come crashing down,” she described, adding that the trauma of losing a child could feel overwhelming in the days following.

“During the first few days, people were texting, saying they were thinking of me. But then that stopped. I thought I must have hit the point where people expect me to be OK.”

Shared Time for Healing

Under the new rules, both the mother and father are entitled to two weeks of paid leave at the statutory rate of over £194 per week, or 90% of their weekly earnings if that is lower. The leave can be split into two separate periods within 56 weeks of the miscarriage, without requiring medical proof. “If my partner had been there for two weeks, that would have reduced my trauma significantly,” Erin said, highlighting the value of shared support during this time.

Therapeutic Impact on Relationships

Selina Casey, founder of the White Butterfly Foundation, noted the policy’s potential to strengthen relationships. After losing her third child in 2021, she recalled the emotional whirlwind of a routine appointment where she was told there was no heartbeat. “Three days later, I was admitted to deliver my son, and the next day I left with him in a tiny casket and a leaflet for a support group,” she said. “It took five days for the shock to hit me.”

“Allowing couples time to spend grieving together after a loss is in itself extremely therapeutic. Couples need to hold each other in those early stages of grief.”

Stories of Loss and Resilience

Megan Crowe, a therapist at the charity, shared her own experience of losing a baby at 12 weeks in 2020. “The two weeks of leave will give such an opportunity for people to take control of their journey,” she explained. “They can be in the present moment to help them get support early.” Rebecca Hutchinson, whose son Freddie was lost in 2025, described the rapidity of her loss. “I had just been for my 20-week scan and all was looking well. But a week later, I went into early labour,” she said. The time between her son’s birth and funeral was exactly a week, leaving her feeling “chaotic” in hindsight.

“Looking back, it just felt chaotic, because it all happened so quickly. It took time for the shock to hit me.”

Facilities for Support

The White Butterfly Foundation, based near Portglenone in County Antrim, features a counselling room and displays dozens of handcrafted ceramic tiles on its walls. Each tile honors a lost baby, including Freddie, Rebecca Hutchinson’s child. “We were lucky because our employers were so understanding and gave us space,” Rebecca said. “But that’s not always the case. The fact that all parents are now entitled to two weeks’ leave, from day one, is amazing—it’ll make such a difference.”

Future Changes Across the UK

While Northern Ireland leads with paid leave, the Westminster government plans to expand this in 2027. The policy will introduce unpaid leave for at least one week following a miscarriage at any stage of pregnancy in England, Scotland, and Wales. For now, the new framework in Northern Ireland stands as a pioneering step, offering a structured approach to recovery for grieving parents.