Aching Arms supports the Miscarriage Association Leave For Every Loss campaign

13/12/2024

At Aching Arms, we are proud to stand alongside the Miscarriage Association in calling for a crucial change in the law: ensuring that women and their partners who experience pregnancy loss before 24 weeks are granted the legal right to bereavement leave from work.

Currently, statutory bereavement leave of two weeks only applies to parents who lose a baby after 24 weeks of pregnancy. Those experiencing miscarriage or other losses earlier in pregnancy must often rely on sick leave —or the goodwill of their employers. Partners, in particular, are left without any legal entitlement to time off, adding to the isolation and stigma surrounding miscarriage.

This important reform is the focus of the Leave for Every Loss campaign, which shines a light on the emotional, physical, and social impact of pregnancy loss. Public opinion strongly supports this move, recognising the need to provide equitable bereavement leave for all families dealing with such loss.

Public opinion overwhelmingly supports bereavement leave reform. 
New research commissioned by the Miscarriage Association and conducted by Public First reveals significant support for legislative reform:

• 89% of respondents believe that losing a baby at any stage of pregnancy should be recognised as a bereavement.
• 79% agree that the same rights to bereavement leave given after a stillbirth (loss after 24 weeks) should also apply to those experiencing miscarriage or pre-24-week loss.

These findings make it clear: families deserve compassion and the legal right to grieve after any pregnancy loss.

If you would like to read more about the Miscarriage Association's Leave For Every Loss campaign, please visit their website here:

https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/blog/miscarriage-association-launches-leave-for-every-loss-campaign-calling-for-bereavement-leave-reform/

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