Paid leave for women who abort during pregnancy is under a draft law which is expected to be tabled in the federal parliament in the near future, following an agreement between the minority government (SPD/Greens) and opposition MPs.

Under current law, paid leave is not provided for in the event of a miscarriage before the 24th week and if the fetus weighs less than 500 grams; however, the draft law being prepared by the federal Ministry of Family Affairs suggests that the maternity protection limit be set at 15 weeks , with the Christian Union (CDU/CSU) proposing that the leave provision already covers abortion up to the 13th week of pregnancy.

The Professional Association of Gynecologists in its announcement points out that one in three women experiences at least one miscarriage in her life, which is a particularly burdensome situation, physically and psychologically. “For most women, a miscarriage is a complete shock and a broken dream,” says psychologist Kathryn Eihorn in a WDR report, and points out that many times the woman even feels that she is to blame, that she made a mistake.

The draft law was drawn up mainly thanks to the fight given by Natasha Zagorski, who in 2019 experienced a miscarriage, but her attending physician did not approve sick leave and told her that she could return to work normally the next day.

Mrs. Zagorski researched the issue and highlighted, among other things, the fact that – as reported by the insurance fund IKK Südwest – more than 60% of women who experienced a miscarriage subsequently suffered from mental illness and were ultimately absent from work for a longer period of time.

In 2022 Natascha Zagorski started collecting signatures for “protection of motherhood after abortion” and very quickly collected 50,000 signatures, which then mobilized the government.

“Without Natascha Zagorski, the issue would not have been on the agenda of the Bundestag,” said Social Democratic Party (SPD) lawmaker Eric von Malotky, and appealed to his male colleagues “to stop trivializing the politics of women’s issues and pave the way for solutions”.

“Women who have given birth to a stillborn child need a safe place to process this difficult loss,” said the Christian Union’s head of family affairs, Silvia Brecher.

Ms Zagorski herself, although she would like the maternity protection limit to be set as early in pregnancy as possible, called the 13-week limit “an important milestone” if it is eventually adopted.

“This would make the life of many women easier, in a situation that is anything but easy,” he said and added that every woman knows better what her needs are.

“There are women who find work supportive in such a situation, as it provides a distraction and helps to counter the feeling of helplessness that a woman can experience in this position,” explained psychologist Kathryn Eichhorn.

The draft law is expected to be approved in January.