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Help plse-My work cancelled my maternity leave when my baby died.

Guest_58442969
Community Member
I’m still a Mum! 😞 My heart is breaking as when my baby died at 6 weeks of age, my workplace cancelled my pre-approved maternity leave and give me a month's personal leave instead. I did not even get the 6 weeks of leave, as my daughter lived for 6 weeks! My husband on the other hand, received his 3 months paternity leave whilst I was back at work! 

 

I created a petition, so this doesn't happen again. We have over 15000 signatures in 3 weeks. All mothers like me, past, present and future with baby loss should be treated with care, compassion, respect and dignity.

With Love,
Priya’s Mum
1 Reply 1

Hello Priya's Mum, 

Thank you so much for sharing what you have been through with our community. We can't even begin to imagine how heartbreaking and painful this loss has been for you... losing a child is one of the most devastating experiences a mother can go through and we want you to know that our hearts are with you today. 

You absolutely deserve time off to grieve and take care of yourself right now. We are proud of you for standing up for what is right and creating this petition - you are correct, people like yourself deserve to be treated with care, compassion, respect, and dignity. 

I would love to know what current supports you have and what other supports you feel like you need at the moment? Maybe we can look at some ways to increase your care network, because this is truly so much to manage on your own. For example, you could look into Red Nose, who provide specialised bereavement support (free of charge) to any person affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or child during pregnancy, birth, infancy or childhood: https://rednose.org.au/page/grief-and-loss-support-services

Please let us know how you go and don't hesitate to write any thoughts or feelings on this thread as they come. This will allow the community to support you as you process your grief.

Looking forward to your reply. 💙

Warm regards, 
Sophie M.