'Two weeks will make such a difference': UK first as NI brings in miscarriage leave

3 hours ago

Chris Page BBC News Ireland correspondent

BBC

Erin Sharkey: "All your dreams for gorgeous happy moments come crashing down"

When Erin Sharkey had miscarriages, they brought devastation and uncertainty - not least when it came to her and her partner deciding how much time they should take off work to help to process their loss.

But now, for her and others in Northern Ireland, there is an answer in extra support as it has become the first part of the UK where a woman and her partner are entitled to two weeks of paid leave if they experience a miscarriage at any stage of pregnancy.

For Erin, a volunteer with the Miscarriage Association, the move will "give people the validation for their feelings, and time to process the loss together".

She said her employer had been supportive but "societally" she felt pressure to go back to work.

Her miscarriages, she said, were like having "all your dreams for gorgeous…