Mayo TD: No woman should face pregnancy loss without support

Mayo Deputy Keira Keogh has welcomed Cabinet approval to progress legislation that will provide five days’ statutory leave for women who experience pregnancy loss before 23 weeks, describing it as “an important step forward for women and families across Ireland.”

Deputy Keogh, a member of the cross-party Oireachtas Group on Pregnancy Loss, said the legislation represents long-overdue recognition of an experience that affects thousands of families every year.

“We know that one in four pregnancies ends in pregnancy loss. For too long, women have carried this grief quietly, often continuing to work while coping with profound physical and emotional loss.

"This legislation is an important step towards acknowledging the very real physical and emotional pain experienced by so many women and families.”

She said she hopes the legislation will progress quickly through both Houses of the Oireachtas but stressed that further work is still needed.

“We must work together to bring this legislation into law as quickly as possible. However, we must also go further to ensure that self-employed women receive the same support when they experience miscarriage.”

Deputy Keogh highlighted the experience of her friend, self-employed make-up artist Hayley Coleman, who publicly shared her pregnancy loss story.

“Hayley’s courage in speaking about her experience showed the reality faced by many self-employed women.

"She was actively miscarrying while still working because, bridal parties were relying on her. That is the reality for many self-employed women across Ireland.

"Their grief doesn’t pause their commitments, and unlike employees, they currently have no entitlement to paid leave. We cannot leave those women behind.”

She said the legislation should be viewed as the beginning rather than the end of efforts to improve support for families experiencing pregnancy loss.

“We must continue advocating for all women, not just those who are employees. No woman should have to choose between protecting her income and taking the time she needs to recover physically and emotionally.”

Deputy Keogh also highlighted the cross-party group’s continued advocacy for the introduction of a voluntary Baby Loss Certificate to acknowledge babies lost before 24 weeks’ gestation.

“It is important that we send the message that every pregnancy loss matters, that this grief deserves to be recognised and that no woman should have to go through it feeling invisible or alone.”

She noted that Northern Ireland has already introduced a Baby Loss Certificate, demonstrating that such recognition can be delivered compassionately.

Deputy Keogh thanked her colleagues across the political spectrum for their work on the issue, particularly the current temporary Chair of the Oireachtas Pregnancy Loss Group, Senator Linda Nelson Murray, as well as the members.

She also acknowledged the contribution of the Pregnancy Loss Research Group at University College Cork, including local campaigner Ann-Marie Farrell, and Minister Peter Burke and his officials for progressing the legislation.

“The announcement is an important milestone, but our work is not finished. We must continue working together to ensure every family experiencing pregnancy loss receives the compassion, recognition, and practical support they deserve.”