Pregnancy loss support for staff
As a Trust we recognise pregnancy loss is sadly more common than people think and can have a profound emotional and physical impact on you and on your partner, friends and family. This webpage provides staff affected by pregnancy loss, and their managers, information about the support available during this difficult time.
We are committed to supporting all employees who have experienced the loss of a pregnancy, whether it happens directly to them, their partner or their baby’s surrogate, regardless of the nature of their loss, or their length of service.
Pregnancy loss includes but is not limited to: miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion, ectopic, pregnancy, molar pregnancy and neonatal loss.
How we can support you
All employees who experience a loss through miscarriage, abortion, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy, which occurs before the 16th week before expected week of confinement (EWC) (24 weeks pregnant) are entitled to up to 10 days leave on full pay (pro-rata for part-time staff). This is in place to support them through the traumatic time of both the physical and the emotional loss. If an individual or couple were to unfortunately experience more than one pregnancy loss this entitlement would apply to each case.
Partners of those who experience pregnancy loss are entitled to up to 5 days leave on full pay. There is no service length requirement for this entitlement.
Employees who experience the loss of their pregnancy via a surrogate are entitled to up to 10 days leave on full pay (pro-rata for full time staff). If an individual or couple were to unfortunately experience more than one pregnancy loss this entitlement would apply to each case.
Employees are entitled to paid time off to attend appointments (or to accompany their partners) relating to pregnancy loss, which do not fall within an agreed period of leave, including but not limited to medical examinations, scans and tests, and mental health-related appointments.
If a baby dies after 24 weeks of pregnancy, but before they’re born, it is known as a stillbirth. Employees are entitled to the same amount of maternity leave and pay as if their baby was born alive.
Partners of those experiencing pregnancy loss after 24 weeks of pregnancy will be entitled to the same paternity leave and pay as if the baby had survived.
Supporting you on your return to work
Requests from employees to temporarily amend their working pattern (flexible working requests) to support them through the difficult time of grieving and recovery following pregnancy loss should be treated sensitively and supportively.
It is important not to overlook the psychological impact of pregnancy loss. Almost one in three women develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after early pregnancy loss. For some, signs of PTSD, anxiety and depression are still evident months later.
Emotional and physical recovery from a pregnancy loss does not have a time limit and employees may find they need to take further sickness leave after having returned to work.
Employees who experience pregnancy loss can access advice, guidance and support through various routes, some of which are detailed below.
Internal support available
Bereavement team
We would encourage you to let your manager know so that they can support you during this difficult time and help you to return to work. At the Trust there is a dedicated bereavement team who can support staff who have experienced a pregnancy loss. They are available by contacting Eden suite, or Bereavement Lead Midwife:
The People Directorate
The People Directorate is available for further advice and guidance:
Staff wellbeing
The Staff Wellbeing offer provides several staff support options which includes in-house Chaplaincy and bereavement support. For further information please visit:
Staff counselling
Confidential staff counselling service:
External support available
There are several external support groups to bereaved parents following the loss of a baby. For further information please visit:
British Pregnancy Advisory Service
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) is committed to protecting and extending women’s reproductive rights and choices.
They are an independent healthcare charity which, for more than 55 years, has been advocating and caring for women and couples who decide to end a pregnancy.
SANDS
SANDS is an organisation that can offer you support if your baby dies during pregnancy or after birth.
They also run a helpline 10:00 - 15:00 Monday to Friday and 18:00 - 21:00 on Tuesday and Thursday evenings:
Saying Goodbye
Saying Goodbye provides comprehensive information, advice, support and much more to anyone who has suffered the loss of a baby, at any stage of pregnancy, at birth or in infancy.
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust provides information about the causes, symptoms and treatment of ectopic pregnancy, as well as much-needed support to families affected by ectopic pregnancy and the healthcare professionals who care for them.
The Lily Mae Foundation
The Lily Mae Foundation was set up in 2010 following the founders loss of their little girl. Their work sees to providing a support network to bereaved parents and siblings following the loss of a baby, training and support for midwives and other health and social care professionals, and research into what can be done to help prevent the loss of a baby in the future. They help you cope with bereavement by using their own experiences and by connecting you with all the support you need, at the time and place that is right for you.
The Miscarriage Association
Founded in 1982 by a group of people who had experienced miscarriage, the Miscarriage Association continues to offer support and information to anyone affected by the loss of a baby in pregnancy and works to raise awareness and promote good practice in medical care.
Petals
Petals is an organisation providing specialist counselling services after a pregnancy loss.
Whilst they do not provide counselling services themselves, they provide more information on counselling services that are available.
Tommy's
Provide information and support for anyone who has experienced the loss of a baby, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, or termination for medical reasons.
Tommy’s Midwives’ provide a helpline for people who have had any type of pregnancy loss, including miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy or termination for medical reasons.
Extra support is also offered through the helpline to support Black and Black Mixed-Heritage people as they are at higher risks of complications during pregnancy, further resources are provided on their website.
Information around how to apply for pregnancy loss certificate’s for before 24 weeks can also be found on the website for people in England to recognise their bereavement.
Twins Trust Bereavement
The Twins Trust Bereavement Service exists to support all parents and carers of twins, triplets or more who have died whether it was during or after pregnancy.
Remembrance events
For some people, taking part in remembrance events can be a meaningful way of honouring your baby’s memory alongside other bereaved families and might be a helpful part of your grief journey. Sharing this time with other families may help you feel less isolated in your grief.
Nationally, Baby Loss Awareness Week takes place every year between 9 to 15 October. This week ends with an international wave of light at 19:00 on 15 October for parents to remember their baby at the same time as others across the world. It is during this week we usually hold UHB’s baby loss remembrance service. For up-to-date information on this years’ service please contact Bereavement Lead Midwife.