Closed petition Allow birthing partners rights to paid leave

Closed on 12 January 2022

Give birth partners the same rights as the spouse/partner would be entitled to if the spouse/partner is not present or involved in the birth. Including:

Time off to attend antenatal appointmens; the right to ask for flexible work; paid leave for the duration of the birth and up to a week after.

I was a birthing partner and attended antenatal classes and took two days off work for the birth without pay. I was unable to take time off after the birth to assist her, as I would not have been paid for it.

Many mothers and birthing partners are - and will be - in the same position as we were, and in an increasingly diverse and accepting world I feel we should be open to the fact that not all birthing partners are the spouse/partner for a number of possible factors.