Maternity protection
Since January 1, 2018, the Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG) also applies to studying. Students to whom the Maternity Protection Act applies are persons who are pregnant, have given birth or are breastfeeding.
The aim of maternity protection is to enable pregnant and breastfeeding students to continue their studies without compromising their health or that of their child before and after the birth.
In the event of a miscarriage from the 13th week of pregnancy, there is also an entitlement to maternity protection.
Any disadvantages due to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding must be avoided or compensated for as far as possible.
The Maternity Protection Act protects you and your child from health hazards and disadvantages - during pregnancy, after childbirth and during breastfeeding.
How do I report my pregnancy or breastfeeding?
According to § 15 MuSchG, you are not obliged to inform the university of your pregnancy and the date of delivery. This also applies if you are breastfeeding.
However, we generally recommend that you inform the university in your own interest so that you can take advantage of the protective rights under the Maternity Protection Act. This is because the university can only avert potential risks to you as a mother and your child in good time and take the necessary protective measures if you notify us in good time.
To notify us, complete the maternity protection notification form and upload proof of your pregnancy (with a doctor's certificate or an obstetrician's certificate stating the expected date of birth). Please submit the birth certificate for the notification of breastfeeding. In addition, the MuSchG requires the university to notify the responsible supervisory authority (the Arnsberg district government). You can give us your consent via the notification form.
The university will contact you as soon as possible after receiving your notification.
If you are also employed as a student or research assistant at TU Dortmund University, please also notify the Human Resources Department of your pregnancy. You can find an overview of the contact persons on the website of the Human Resources Department .
After your notification, other persons involved will be informed (Department of Occupational Safety, Environmental Protection and Health Protection and contact persons in the departments) and consulted for you as a pregnant person. Please contact Claudia Hannappel for the risk assessment once you have notified us and received the information email from the Family Service. We also ask you to complete this questionnaire and, if necessary, to submit the overview of current courses.
Together with you and the lecturers, Claudia Hannappel will check whether there are any risks for you and, if necessary, what special needs there are for the continuation of your studies.
If you have any questions, please contact the Family Service:
FAQ
No, according to § 15 MuSchG you are not obliged to inform the university of your pregnancy and the date of delivery. This also applies if you are breastfeeding. However, we recommend that you notify us of your pregnancy and breastfeeding period, as this is the only way we can support you as a university in asserting your protective rights under the Maternity Protection Act.
The reform of maternity protection legislation implements the latest health science findings and takes account of social developments in the protection of pregnant women. This will decisively counteract discrimination against pregnant and breastfeeding women. The continuation of your studies is guaranteed by the following points, among others.
- During the statutory protection periods (six weeks before childbirth and eight weeks after childbirth), you will generally be exempted from all courses and examinations. However, if you expressly wish, you can continue to take examinations or attend courses during these protection periods. You communicate your wish by registering for the examination or course.
- Existing working time and health and safety regulations will be taken into account during the entire period.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you are entitled to compensation for disadvantages. This means that disadvantages should be avoided when you are taking courses and examinations (e.g. by substituting laboratory courses, internships or excursions).
- During pregnancy or breastfeeding, you have the right to take time off work, for example for examinations in connection with pregnancy or to breastfeed your child.
In general, maternity protection under the Maternity Protection Act applies from the time you report your pregnancy until the end of the breastfeeding period (at most until the child reaches the age of one). However, there are special protection periods of six weeks before the expected date of birth and at least eight weeks after the birth. In the case of premature and multiple births, the protection period is extended to twelve weeks after the birth.
In the event of a miscarriage, the duration of the maternity protection period depends on the week of pregnancy: from the 13th week, those affected are entitled to two weeks of maternity protection, from the 17th week six weeks and from the 20th week of pregnancy eight weeks.
Find out more in the guide from the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth: Guide to maternity protection
There is a relative ban on employment for pregnant and breastfeeding women from 8 p.m. and on Sundays and public holidays. You can nevertheless register for these events and thereby declare that you waive the employment ban in order to be able to take part in these events. With reference to your pregnancy or breastfeeding period, you can withdraw from this participation at any time with effect for the future
Please note that your declaration to participate in events becomes invalid if the risk assessment or a medical certificate determines a complete or partial ban on studying for the events etc. you have chosen. (§§ 10, 16 MuschG).
In addition, there is an absolute ban on working from 10 p.m. on all days of the week.
Discuss your situation with your lecturers at an early stage in order to counteract possible difficulties. Legally, you must not be at a disadvantage due to your pregnancy. According to the Maternity Protection Act, you must be released from work for examinations during pregnancy and maternity leave as well as for breastfeeding up to 12 months after the birth. Further protection can be found in the protective provisions of the examination regulations for your degree program.
In general, you should not suffer any disadvantages due to your reported pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding, see MuSchG. If you are unable to take part in examinations or study-related internships and laboratory activities, it is possible to rearrange or adapt the study conditions in consultation with the respective chairperson of the examination board or a deputy contact person of the department, see MuSchG.
- In order to receive maternity benefit, you must be in employment subject to social insurance contributions before and during maternity leave. If you are not in employment of this kind alongside your studies, you can receive parental allowance from the birth of your child. In this case, the parental allowance amounts to at least €300 per month.
- Further information on financial security (BAföG, social benefits, initial equipment, etc.) can be found on our page"Financial benefits"
Information and advice services
Leave of absence during studies
You can take a leave of absence during your studies due to your pregnancy or to bring up/care for relatives.
Central examination administration
Do you have questions about examination regulations, certificates or do you need a grade certificate? Here you will find the contact persons at the Central Examination Office.
General student advisory service
The General Student Advisory Service team will advise you on various topics such as the content and requirements of your degree course, the organization and design of your degree course, changing degree course or subject or doubts about your degree…
Psychological counseling
Psychological student counseling is not primarily based on an understanding of illness, but seeks to provide support in developing coping strategies in difficult life situations.
Anonymous counseling for women* and parents
The AStA offers anonymous counseling where topics such as pregnancy and studying with a child (financial, structural, psychological issues) or relationship problems such as family stress can be discussed.