A woman who experienced a miscarriage has said she is “elated” that Northern Ireland has introduced paid leave for grieving parents.

The new Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay regulation gives parents the right to two weeks paid leave if their child dies under the age of 18 or they suffer a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy. 

“For me society is defined by how we look after those who need us most and I think this is a really strong step forward in that direction,” First Minister Michelle O’Neill said. 

On Lunchtime Live, listener Emma predicted it would make a huge difference to parents who have suffered a miscarriage. 

“I'm elated to hear that really and a bit saddened as well,” she said. 

“It does a lot of things; it would evidence your loss and also honours your loss as well.

“When you lose a baby through miscarriage, the social norms don't apply. 

“You don't have a wake, you don't have a funeral.” 

Emma continued that society still underestimates the impact of pregnancy loss on families, adding that she would also have liked a miscarriage certificate. 

Currently, stillbirth certificates are issued to bereaved parents after 24 weeks of gestation or if the baby weighs over 500 grams. 

“I would have loved to walk out of my local hospital with one of those,” she said. 

“That really would have helped my husband - and my son as well. 

“Because you're having those conversations and it just would legitimise so much.” 

Legislation

Last year, the Pregnancy Loss (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill was introduced into the Oireachtas. 

If passed into law, it would “provide for a period of paid leave consequent upon the loss of a pregnancy”. 

However, Emma said some organisations do already offer it to staff who have suffered a miscarriage. 

“Loads of larger companies, like Lidl, AIB, Diageo - there's a good few,” she said. 

“They've all pushed ahead and they do provide it at different levels - anything from three days right up to a month.”

Main image: Red roses on the ground. Picture by: Alamy.com.