In a significant legislative development, the German Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, has passed a law extending maternity leave protections to women who experience a miscarriage after the 13th week of pregnancy. This move aims to provide essential support during a period of profound physical and emotional recovery.

Under existing German law, women are entitled to paid maternity leave starting six weeks before the expected birth date and continuing for eight weeks postpartum. However, these provisions did not previously apply in cases of miscarriage, leaving many women without adequate support during an emotionally and physically hard time.

The newly enacted legislation offers the option of maternity leave to women who miscarry after the 13th week of pregnancy. This change eliminates the need for women to actively apply for medical leave, a process that was often accompanied by uncertainty regarding approval. Maybe, most importantly, the law empowers women with the choice to take maternity leave but does not mandate it, respecting individual preferences and circumstances.

The bill received overwhelming support in the Bundestag, reflecting a broad consensus on the necessity of such protections. From here, the law is scheduled for discussion in the Bundesrat, Germany’s upper house of parliament, on February 14. If approved, it is expected to go into effect on June 1 of this year, marking a major milestone in maternity protection legislation in the country.

It is estimated that approximately 6,000 miscarriages occur in Germany each year between the 13th and 24th weeks of pregnancy. The new law specifically addresses those pregnant during that period, providing them with the option of maternity leave. However, it’s important to note that the majority of miscarriages, about 84,000 annually, occur before the 12th week of pregnancy and are not covered under the new provisions. 

The enactment of this law signifies a big step in acknowledging the profound impact of miscarriage on women’s health and well-being. By extending maternity leave protections, Germany sets a precedent that may influence policies in other countries, prompting a reevaluation of how maternity protections are structured globally.

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