Latest news with #MiscarriageAssociation
Irish Times
02-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Woman who suffered six miscarriages says employers' response ranged from empathy to pressure to return to work
A woman who suffered six miscarriages has said the response from employers ranged from empathy to pressure to return to work. Jennifer Duggan, chair of the Miscarriage Association of Ireland , said she felt like she needed to 'suck it up, be fine and get on with it' when she did go back to work. She said legislation providing for leave during pregnancy loss would mean people have space to both recover physically and 'time to grieve'. The Labour Party argues there has been 'no progress' on the issue of pregnancy loss leave since it tabled a Bill on the topic in 2021 . READ MORE The Government said it is committed to introducing such measures in legislation that is to be drafted as a 'priority'. Ms Duggan, from Co Cork, said she and her husband Padraig decided to start a family in 2008 and she became pregnant. However, she said, 'our world fell from under us when we went for our scan at 13 weeks to be told: 'I'm so sorry, but there is no heartbeat.'' She was working in retail at the time, and her doctor signed her off on sick leave. However, she said she had 'stress and anxiety' when getting calls from a company nurse, which left her 'feeling pressured into going back to work'. When she returned, she found it difficult to deal with the public while feeling as if 'at any moment a dam of tears could burst'. She sought a different role but was told 'basically ... to get on with it'. 'So that was what I felt I needed to do. Suck it up, be fine and get on with it.' [ Tribunal hears legal argument over whether recent miscarriage triggers maternity law protections Opens in new window ] Ms Duggan went on to work elsewhere in customer service and experienced varying levels of support during five more miscarriages. After her fourth miscarriage, tests discovered she had a genetic condition that resulted in a higher risk of miscarrying. Ms Duggan also said that after this fourth loss her workplace was 'supportive to a degree', but she was also given a written warning over an absence. However, her manager at the time of her fifth miscarriage was 'so supportive', she said. She got sick leave, and 'there was no pressure put on me to rush back'. She also experienced support after the loss of a sixth baby, with a manager 'checking in to see how I was doing without being invasive'. Her first son, Daithi, was born in 2009. She has two other children: Siofra (13) and Oisin (9). She said that over eight years 'we had six miscarriages – lost six little babies – and had three beautiful living children'. 'How your employer deals with you at one of the most difficult times in your life can have a huge impact on the healing process and the trauma that goes with it,' she said. Jennifer Duggan with her husband Padraig and children Dáithi, Siofra and Oisin The Miscarriage Association of Ireland offers peer-to-peer support for people experiencing pregnancy loss. Ms Duggan said legislating for miscarriage leave would mean 'one less thing people experiencing pregnancy loss have to worry about'. Proposed legislation first put forward by the Labour Party in 2021 would provide for up to 20 days of paid leave for women suffering early pregnancy loss. In January 2024, the then-government deferred any progression of the Bill for 12 months to allow more time to develop legislative proposals. Labour Party TD Marie Sherlock recently tabled a parliamentary question asking Minister for Children Norma Foley if she intends to take up the issues in Labour's Bill. In response, Ms Foley said she recognises 'the enormous, personal impact that pregnancy loss has on expectant parents'. Officials were said to be examining a study by University College Cork (UCC) academics that recommended 'a statutory right to paid leave' for pre-viability pregnancy loss. Ms Foley's department is also developing the next National Strategy for Women and Girls, due to be published by the end of June, which would be informed by the UCC research. The department is also to engage with the Department of Enterprise on the issues in Labour's Bill. [ Even the word 'miscarriage' seems to suggest the mother is somehow at fault Opens in new window ] Ms Sherlock said 'seeing is believing here in terms of the Government actually being serious about developing any legislative proposals'. She argued there has been 'no progress' since Labour first tabled its Bill in 2021. A Department of Children statement said the Government 'has committed to including provisions providing for leave for pregnancy loss' in a Bill 'which has been given priority drafting'. It said development of a new form of family leave requires 'very careful consideration around who would be entitled to the leave and how the leave would operate in practice'. 'It is important that any form of leave would be effective in addressing the needs of employees, while also be practical to implement,' it said. The department said 'any form of leave – even unpaid – can have significant costs for the exchequer and these must be fully identified'.
Daily Mirror
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Channel 4 star shares 'unbearable' miscarriage heartbreak before Manchester Marathon
Matthew Burton went viral after helping one of his pupils overcome a stammer on Educating Yorkshire - but his newest challenge will see him take on 26.2 miles this weekend Matthew Burton, better known as the beloved English teacher on Channel 4's Educating Yorkshire documentary, has opened up about the 'unbearable' pain of losing a child ahead of taking on the Manchester Marathon this weekend. Burton first appeared on our screens in 2013, and it wasn't long before a clip of him helping pupil Musharaf overcome a stammer went viral worldwide. Now, he is swapping out his textbooks for trainers as he takes on the 26.2-mile race for charity. On Christmas Eve in 2012, Burton and his wife, Laura, lost their first baby to miscarriage. Burton said: "Words can't ever really describe the feeling of being told you have lost your baby. To go from expecting to welcome a tiny human being to knowing that wasn't going to happen in a matter of seconds was just unbearable. 'Miscarriage is so common, but it still isn't spoken about as much as it should be – there's still a taboo that surrounds it.' Burton has since become an ambassador for the Miscarriage Association and works to raise awareness and funds so it can support people going through pregnancy loss. His previous challenges for the charity have included the Yorkshire Marathon and the Leeds 10k race - and he has appeared on-screen on The Celebrity Chase, which he won. Discussing his newest challenge, which he will be tackling on Sunday, April 27th, Burton said: 'I've been putting in the training on some dark and damp evenings, so since the clocks went forward it's been nice to get out in the sun and light! I'm now strangely looking forward to it – but maybe ask me again after 26 miles.' The Manchester Marathon is the UK's second-biggest marathon event - after the London race which is held on the same day. This year, 90,000 people are expected to take part in the two events, making it the biggest day of marathon running in UK history. Burton said that although the moment of loss he and his wife experience will 'never go away', it taught him a few things. 'Firstly, to talk about it. It helped. Those who knew about it thought they couldn't say the right things, I'm sure, but every supportive word helps,' he explained. He now has three children and works tirelessly to raise awareness of the importance of recognising the impact of experiencing loss - especially for men who sometimes can be overlooked. Burton added: 'The Miscarriage Association works hard to support those who need it at this heart-breaking time, advocate for change, and raise awareness of something that damned well needs it.' On his fundraising page, Burton said: 'I am running to make a change and make sure that every loss matters.' Since appearing on Educating Yorkshire, Burton has taken on a new role as headteacher at Thornhill Community Academy in Dewsbury. He has also travelled the country hosting workshops on leadership and has written a book called Go Big, which aims to help children aged ten and older with the transition from primary to secondary school. Last year, Channel 4 announced that a second season of Educating Yorkshire. The series will be filmed over 2024 and 2025, it said, and is set to be on our screens by the end of the year. Burton said he was excited to welcome the camera crews back into the school: 'The national challenges the profession faces are well publicised, and at Thornhill, I'm really proud of how our staff and students work together to thrive through those. Our values - 'work hard and be nice' - are at the centre of all we do; I have no doubt that viewers will see those come to life in our brilliant community."
