The UK just gave moms miscarriage leave—why doesn’t the U.S. do the same?

Losing a pregnancy is devastating. And yet, for so many women, the world expects them to move on as if nothing happened. In the UK, that’s starting to change. A new policy will soon guarantee parents two weeks of paid bereavement leave after a miscarriage—finally recognizing what families have always known. Pregnancy loss isn’t just a medical event—it’s an emotional and physical trauma that deserves time to heal.

But in the U.S., there’s no such support.

What happens when moms miscarry in the U.S.?

If a mom in the U.S. loses a pregnancy, here’s what she’s up against:

• No guaranteed time off: There’s no federal law giving women time to grieve or recover.
• FMLA doesn’t always apply: The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) might cover miscarriage, but only if a healthcare provider deems it a “serious medical condition.” And even then, it’s unpaid.
• It’s up to the employer: A handful of companies offer miscarriage leave, but for most women, it’s completely at their boss’s discretion.

Zero acknowledgment: Many workplaces don’t even recognize pregnancy loss as something that deserves time off. Moms are expected to show up like nothing happened.

Related: Germany just guaranteed miscarriage leave. Why doesn’t the U.S.?

How some moms are fighting for change

A few states, like California, have started offering short-term unpaid leave for pregnancy loss. And some forward-thinking companies, like Monzo, Zip Co and Deutsche Bank have introduced paid miscarriage leave. But it’s still the exception, not the rule.

Meanwhile, countries like the UK and New Zealand are leading the way in recognizing pregnancy loss—and that grieving parents shouldn’t have to spend their first days after a miscarriage sitting at a desk, pretending to be fine.

Why this matters

For so many women, miscarriage isn’t just an emotional heartbreak—it’s a physical recovery. It can mean cramping, heavy bleeding, hormone crashes, exhaustion, and even surgery. Yet moms in the U.S. are often left with two impossible choices: burn through their sick days (if they even have any) or go back to work while they’re still bleeding.

It’s time for a change. The U.K. just proved that miscarriage leave isn’t radical—it’s common sense. So why is the U.S. still making moms suffer in silence?

Related: How to reduce miscarriage anxiety during pregnancy, according to experts