Bereavement Leave for Miscarriages: A Game-Changer for Parental Support and What It Means for Fertility Journeys
Posted on 23 July 2025 by Amelia Nguyen — 4 min
Losing a pregnancy is heartbreaking—whether it happens early or later, the emotional impact is profound. Now, imagine facing that loss while also worrying about your work obligations and financial security. It’s a reality many parents have endured for far too long. But a recent landmark change is beginning to rewrite that story.
In a significant advancement for parental rights, recent plans will extend bereavement leave to include miscarriages before 24 weeks, as reported by the BBC (read more here). This means that individuals and couples experiencing pregnancy loss—even in the earliest stages—will gain formal workplace support and time to grieve without the added stress of losing income or job protection.
Why Does This Matter?
Miscarriage, often shrouded in silence and misunderstanding, has historically lacked acknowledgment in legal and workplace policies. While many people recognize the need for compassionate leave after major life events, miscarriage has been overlooked, especially when it occurs before 24 weeks. This new policy shift is a game-changer because it:
- Validates the experience of loss for countless families
- Provides essential emotional space to heal
- Reduces workplace stigma around pregnancy loss
- Encourages open conversations about reproductive health
The Overlap with Fertility Journeys
For many, pregnancy doesn’t come easy. People who rely on assisted conception methods, including at-home insemination, often endure a long path filled with hope, anxiety, and sometimes heartbreak. It’s important to recognize that bereavement support is not just about acknowledging loss—it also intersects deeply with the fertility journey.
Take, for example, the community using at-home insemination kits like those from MakeAMom. These kits empower individuals and couples to try conceiving in the privacy and comfort of their own homes, often as a more affordable, accessible alternative to clinical treatments. While success rates are encouraging—MakeAMom reports an average success rate of 67%—each attempt can be an emotional rollercoaster.
When miscarriage occurs, especially early on, the blend of joy, hope, and grief can be overwhelming. The introduction of formal bereavement leave policies recognizes these emotional stakes and provides a safeguard for people navigating these deeply personal experiences.
How Can Employers and Communities Foster Support?
Extending bereavement leave is a crucial step, but practical change also involves cultural shifts and increased awareness. Here are some ways workplaces and communities can build a more supportive environment:
- Normalize Conversations: Encourage open dialogue around pregnancy loss to break down stigma.
- Educate Managers: Train supervisors to respond empathetically and sensitively.
- Offer Flexible Work Options: Understand the varying needs of individuals during recovery.
- Provide Resources: Point employees toward counseling, support groups, and fertility resources.
The Importance of Privacy and Gentle Care
Many people managing fertility challenges value privacy and gentle care approaches. Insemination kits designed with sensitivity—like MakeAMom’s BabyMaker for those with conditions like vaginismus or the Impregnator kit for low motility sperm—reflect this ethos. Similarly, bereavement leave and the respect it entails reinforce the importance of honoring individual journeys with dignity and discretion.
What’s Next?
This policy change spotlights a broader societal recognition that reproductive health and emotional wellbeing are intertwined. It invites us all to rethink how we support one another through the highs and lows of fertility and parenthood.
If you or someone you know is navigating these challenges, remember that practical, compassionate solutions are evolving—from innovative at-home insemination options to better workplace protections.
Have you or someone close to you been affected by pregnancy loss? How has bereavement leave, or lack thereof, impacted your experience? Share your story or thoughts below—because creating community awareness is part of healing and progress.
For more on at-home insemination options tailored to your needs, consider exploring resources and products designed for comfort, privacy, and efficacy at MakeAMom.
Together, we can foster a world where reproductive health challenges and losses are met with the empathy, respect, and support they deserve.