Protection period for pregnant women

A protection period applies to you as a pregnant woman. As soon as employers know about your pregnancy, they must implement the provisions of the Maternity Protection Act. In addition, you may only be dismissed in a few exceptional cases. This is only possible, for example, if you commit a criminal offence while pregnant. You no longer have to work 6 weeks before your expected due date. No-one can insist that you continue working during this time. You are not allowed to work for at least 8 weeks after giving birth. This period can be extended to 12 weeks if you had a premature birth or multiple birth (twins, triplets) or if your baby has a disability.

Protection period in the case of a miscarriage or stillbirth

You are also entitled to paid maternity leave in the event of a miscarriage. The length of maternity leave depends on how long you were pregnant:

• Miscarriage between the 13th and 16th week of pregnancy – 2 weeks of maternity leave
• Miscarriage between the 17th and 19th week – 6 weeks of maternity leave
• Miscarriage between the 20th and 23rd week – 8 weeks of maternity leave

These regulations also apply if you had a stillbirth.

There is an exception to the protection period:

• Abortion