After experiencing the loss of her baby at 22 weeks, Toni-Mai Woodfield was devastated. Despite enduring an 11-hour labor, her newborn arrived without any signs of life. The 21-year-old had to leave the hospital without her baby and return to work just two weeks later. She has since bravely shared her story in hopes of advocating for extended leave for individuals who face similar tragedies.
On December 18, 2024, Toni-Mai gave birth to Hudson Allan Gane, who was born before the 24-week legal threshold. As a result, she did not receive an official death certificate for Hudson and was ineligible for paid bereavement leave, compelling her to resume work shortly after the heartbreaking event.
A new law is on the horizon to address these issues. The impending legislation, anticipated to pass its final stages in the Commons this week, will provide British parents with two weeks of bereavement leave following a miscarriage, even if it occurs before the 24-week mark. This initiative aligns with the Labour party’s commitment to advancing workers’ rights.
Weighing only 16oz, Hudson was a fully developed infant. Toni-Mai, hailing from Coventry, firmly believes that he deserved the same recognition as any other baby. She expressed disappointment over the absence of entitlement to maternity or compassionate leave under the current 24-week rule, despite the support from her employer.
Toni-Mai, who faced a high-risk pregnancy due to previous preeclampsia, diligently attended all her NHS appointments alongside private scans to monitor her baby’s health. On December 18, she experienced complications while walking her son home from school, ultimately leading to premature labor.
Despite efforts to save Hudson, his premature birth posed significant challenges to his survival. Following Hudson’s birth, the heartbroken family discovered that he had not exhibited signs of life, necessitating a postmortem examination. On February 14, 2025, Toni-Mai, Cayton, and George held a funeral for their son, where he was cremated.
Struggling with the loss, Toni-Mai had to return to work just two weeks after giving birth because Hudson was classified as a late-stage miscarriage. She emphasized the need for legal recognition and paid compassionate leave for women experiencing stillbirths before the 24-week threshold.
Campaigning for greater acknowledgment of early stillbirths, Toni-Mai advocates for legal death certificates and compassionate leave for affected families. She aims to raise awareness about the distinction between late-stage miscarriages and fully formed babies like Hudson, emphasizing her enduring role as his mother.