Pregnancy Loss Support
Informing Choices is committed to supporting people affected by pregnancy loss and to driving compassionate, evidence-based change in workplaces across Northern Ireland. From 6 April 2026, employees who experience a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks’ gestation, or whose partner or intended parent experiences such a loss, have a statutory right to Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay, subject to eligibility. We strongly welcome this significant development.
Our Approach
We promote a trauma-informed, person-centred approach to pregnancy loss in the workplace. This means:
Recognising that pregnancy loss can be experienced as a bereavement
Avoiding assumptions about how individuals feel or wish to be supported
Providing flexible and inclusive support for all staff
Acknowledging that pregnancy loss affects people of all genders, roles, and family structure
Our work supports employers to implement these rights in a way that is clear, compassionate, and responsive to individual needs, while also offering additional options and examples of good practice that organisations may choose to adopt.
What Do We Mean by Pregnancy Loss?
We use the term pregnancy loss to reflect a wide range of experiences, including:
Abortion: medical or surgical treatment to end a pregnancy;
Ectopic pregnancy: when a fertilised egg implants and grows outside of the uterus;
Embryo transfer loss: when an embryo transfer during fertility treatment doesn’t result in pregnancy;
Miscarriage: the loss of a pregnancy until 24 weeks of gestation;
Molar pregnancy: when a non-viable fertilised egg implants in the uterus and cannot develop into a viable pregnancy;
We also recognise losses occurring from 24 weeks onwards (such as stillbirth and neonatal death), which are covered by separate legal provisions and organisational policies.
Supporting Employers
We have developed a Model Pregnancy Loss Policy for Northern Ireland Employers to help organisations:
Understand and implement statutory entitlements from April 2026
Apply a trauma-informed and inclusive approach in practice
Support line managers to respond confidently and sensitively
Consider enhanced or flexible provisions, where appropriate to their organisation
We also provide Pregnancy Loss Awareness Training to help create supportive workplace environments and to assist with effective policy implementation.
Download Our Model Policy
Download our Model Pregnancy Loss Policy for Northern Ireland Employers. This resource is designed to support organisations in implementing the new statutory entitlements with clarity and compassion, while also offering practical options for enhanced and flexible support.
Pregnancy Loss Counselling
We offer specialist pregnancy counselling services for individuals affected by pregnancy loss. You can self-refer to this service by calling our helpline on 028 9031 6100.
Get In Touch
Email: ruairi.rowan@informingchoicesni.org
Tel: 028 90 316 100