I have experienced two miscarriages and one ectopic pregnancy that resulted in an emergency surgery where my Fallopian tube was removed. It was devastating, and each time I had to return to work as though nothing had happened. The loss and trauma were profound. There was little recognition of the emotional and physical toll these experiences took on me. We are thrown back into life without resources or support to help us grieve and heal.

Miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies are deeply traumatic experiences, and they are more common than we might think. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, about 10-20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. Despite this, the emotional impact is often understated and the need for time to grieve is largely overlooked. The loss of a potential life deserves acknowledgment and respect, and those affected deserve the right to grieve without having to worry about professional commitments.

We are calling for a policy to allow for bereavement leave of up to two weeks for anyone who has experienced a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. This would provide individuals the much-needed time to process their grief, recover emotionally and physically, and seek support, whether from a therapist or a support group.

Furthermore, hospitals and vital records offices should offer commemorative certificates to honor the life of the child, however brief. Many parents, like myself, have no birth certificate to remember their child by, yet the emotional connection and the grief of the loss are very real. A commemorative certificate serves not only as a keepsake but as formal recognition of a life that touched us, even if for a brief time.

This change is important for providing healing, closure, and the respect that families need during such a critical and painful time. Please sign this petition to urge legislators and health institutions to implement bereavement leave and commemorative certificates for miscarriage and ectopic pregnancies. Your support can make a difference in the lives of countless families who have silently suffered for far too long.