The most recent data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) on birth characteristics in England and Wales highlights the importance of workplace fertility, pregnancy, and early parenthood support for all employees.
The data shows that the average age of mothers remained at 30.7 years, while the average age of fathers increased slightly to 33.7 years – both prime working ages. There were 1,959 live births to same-sex couples in 2020. According to ONS data, there were 613,936 live births in England and Wales in 2020, a 4.1 per cent decrease from 2019.
Peppy CEO Dr. Mridula Pore says: “Trying for a baby and becoming a parent can be challenging times. When a member of staff tries for a baby or needs treatment to help them conceive, it can be all-consuming. They may need to take time off work for appointments and the stress and anxiety can lead to additional absences from a mental health point of view too.
“Once a baby is born, the stress isn’t over, with challenges such as feeding, sleeping and managing a new routine. This is a time when employees need a huge amount of support, and with the right support the experience can be much more positive, and also mitigate absence.”
Other data in the ONS birth characteristics report revealed that the highest stillbirth rates continue to be in women aged 40 and over, with 5.5 stillbirths per 1,000 births in 2020, unchanged from 2019. Babies of African descent have the highest stillbirth rate, at 6.3 per 1,000 births. Still, this is down from 7.1 stillbirths per 1,000 births in 2019.
Pore adds: “After a miscarriage or stillbirth, many employees will find it hard to discuss what has happened and will benefit from support from someone with dedicated expertise in this area who understands what the individual or couple are experiencing emotionally, physically and practically.
“Whether employees are seeking treatment to help them conceive, have become parents, or have suffered the trauma of baby loss, support needs to be available as part of workplace diversity, equity and inclusion policies for everyone. We know that these issues don’t just affect young women in heterosexual relationships and although they are difficult subjects to address, those employers that are there when their staff are vulnerable and most at need, will be the employers of choice.”