‘It felt like a primal feeling’: Mum’s maternity leave cancelled via text after newborn death

Priya was six weeks old when she died. Her mother was grieving when she received a text from her employer cancelling her pre-approved maternity leave.

Baby Priya spent the first six weeks of her life in a neo-natal ward in hospital, before she tragically died.

Now her death is inspiring Australian employment law changes after her mother received a text cancelling her pre-approved maternity leave.

It was June 3, 2024 when Priya arrived three months prematurely. But despite her early arrival doctors were impressed with her strength.

Heartbreakingly on July 14, 2024, 42 days later, the Sydney couple’s “little angel” died.

“It’s the hardest thing to do, to carry a baby for so many months and then to have to say goodbye,” Priya’s mother, who has asked to remain anonymous, said.

“We planned a future, a beautiful future with her.

“It felt like a primal feeling. I felt like screaming. It was not fair.

“It was the worst day of our lives.”

Priya’s father, Chris Breen, said losing their daughter was “such a shock”.

“It was just devastating,” he said.

Priya, who tragically lost her life at only six weeks old, will be forever remembered after her parents met with Minister Amanda Rishworth to fight for paid maternity leave protections. Picture: Supplied

Baby Priya lost her life at six weeks old after she was born premature. Picture: Supplied by family

Five days after the death of Priya, her mother called her manager to tell her of Priya’s passing.

Her colleagues were heartbroken for her. They sent condolences, flowers and a teddy bear.

Then Priya’s mum received a text from another manager informing her that her pre-approved paid maternity leave was cancelled.

“I was utterly shocked and blown away,” she said.

They provided her four weeks personal leave instead. When she asked for six — “because my baby lived for six weeks,” she said — they never replied to her text message.

“It was like I was non-existent,” she said.

Priya’s mum, who worked in Employment Services for 11 years, asked for a formal review about this, but discovered her place of employment was within its rights to do this.

Priya’s parents created a petition which has over 31,000 signatures. Picture: Supplied

Priya’s mum said when her daughter died she found herself grappling with questions about whether or not she was a mother.

“When my employer did that to me, it validated that statement further in my head that maybe I’m not a mother because even my employer thinks I’m not worthy of the maternal leave,” she said.

While Priya’s mum was going through this, Mr Breen, who is a teacher for the NSW government, received his paternal leave.

“I could not fathom it,” Priya’s mum said.

“How is it that I’m the one who had the difficult pregnancy and was bedridden in the hospital for three weeks. I’m the one who gave birth to the baby, I’m the one who fed the baby … but my husband is the one that gets to be at home and I’m at work?”

The Sydney couple knew something had to be done.

On the eight month anniversary of Priya’s death, they released a petition to change the law to protect paid maternity leave rights.

The petition has accumulated over 31,000 signatures.

Last week, the couple flew to Adelaide to meet the federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth who has promised the government will implement legislative change to protective paid parental leave for stillbirth and early infant death.

Minister Amanda Rishworth has promised to change the legislation to ensure maternity leave is protected for stillbirths and early infant death. Picture: Supplied by family

“The loss of a child is an absolute tragedy,” Ms Rishworth said.

“The action comes off the back of advocacy from Priya’s parents who, through bravely telling their story, have brought attention to a gap in our existing workplace laws.”

Priya’s grandmother said that Priya “came, she went and she conquered, she conquered all our hearts”.

“Now in hindsight, I’m thinking, not only did she conquer our hearts, she has conquered and is changing laws as well,” Priya’s mum said.

If you’d like to support the change, you can sign the petition here.

Originally published as ‘It felt like a primal feeling’: Mum’s maternity leave cancelled via text after newborn death