PAP MP Valerie Lee says she went through miscarriage twice, calls for more support for couples going through miscarriage

Miscarriage is more common than most people realise, yet often suffered in silence, said MP Valerie Lee at the Feb. 26 Committee of Supply debate.

She shared that she had suffered two miscarriages herself.

According to a 2022 KKH study, 15 to 25 per cent of recorded pregnancies end in miscarriage.

But many couples experience feelings of guilt and certainty about trying again, she said.

"Structured support is critical if we want couples to continue, or, for some, start their parenthood journey."

She cited examples in other countries, such as six weeks' paid leave post-miscarriage in India, and bereavement leave in the UK for pregnancy loss.

The UK, France, and New Zealand also offer access to hospital-based bereavement midwife services and mental health support.

She added:

"Singapore could consider a dedicated miscarriage recovery leave entitlement, automatic referral pathways for counselling support, clear workplace guidelines to support employees experiencing pregnancy loss.

Supporting couples through miscarriage is not only compassionate, it increases the likelihood that they feel emotionally ready to try again."

At the same Committee of Supply debate, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong noted that Singapore's resident total fertility rate sank to a record low of 0.87 in 2025.

This marks a drop from 0.97 the year before. “The overall trend is of grave concern. Marriage rates have come down, and those who are married have fewer or no children," he said.

Top image from Canva and MDDI/YouTube