Maternity protection for female students

Maternity Protection for Female Students

The Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG) also applies to female students who become pregnant during their studies or who are breastfeeding within the first year after giving birth.

It is intended to protect the health of the mother and child during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding, and to prevent discrimination based on pregnancy (Section 9(1), Sentence 4, MuSchG).

In addition, you and your unborn child are protected by various legal provisions. To be eligible for maternity protection, you should notify the university of your pregnancy. There is no legal obligation to report it. However, you can only invoke these protective rights if you have notified the university of your pregnancy. Details on the advisory and reporting offices of the faculties as well as further information about reporting your pregnancy can be found further down on this page.

Please contact our colleagues at the Frankfurt UAS Family Office as soon as possible in your pregnancy to schedule a personal and confidential meeting where you can discuss the next steps in your studies, as well as financial aid and childcare options.

All pregnant students are entitled to a protection period of six weeks before and eight weeks after childbirth (in the case of multiple births or premature births, as well as if the newborn has a disability, the post-birth period is extended to 12 weeks).
In addition, you and your unborn child are protected by various legal provisions. You can find more information on this further down on this page.

Please contact your advisor at the Family Office at Frankfurt UAS as soon as possible and schedule an appointment for a personal and confidential consultation to discuss the next steps in your studies as well as financial aid and childcare options.

Overview of Key Regulations

Maternity Leave Periods

Maternity leave begins 6 weeks before the birth and ends 8 weeks after the birth.
In the case of premature or multiple births, or if the newborn has a health impairment, the postpartum leave period is extended to 12 weeks.

You are protected by the Maternity Protection Act and the following prohibitions:

from hazardous activities (e.g., heavy lifting)
from handling hazardous substances (e.g., lead, mercury)
by prohibiting forced postures (prolonged standing, kneeling), extreme heat, wetness, cold, vibration, noise, and radiation during your studies, internship, or job.
no night or weekend work (block seminars are permitted)

Participation in Courses and Exams

During the protection periods, participation in courses and exams is generally prohibited.

However, female students may voluntarily declare in writing to the university that they wish to participate in courses or exams during this period.

This decision can be cancelled at any time.

Unlike female employees, this participation is possible both before and after childbirth.

Exemptions and Accommodations

Female students are entitled to take time off during pregnancy and while breastfeeding (within the first 12 months after childbirth) for medical examinations or to breastfeed their child—without facing any disadvantages for their studies.
If the pregnancy causes organizational difficulties or delays in your studies, you may apply for accommodations such as deadline extensions, alternative exam formats, or equivalent coursework.

If you decide to take a semester off in connection with a pregnancy, this is already considered a notification (https://www.frankfurt-university.de/de/studium/studienorganisation/beurlaubung-und-teilzeitstudium/)

Exemptions and Accommodations

Please contact the advisory and reporting office of your faculty to report your pregnancy.

Ms. Petra Schäfer FGB_Fb1(at)fra-uas.de

Ms. Diana Völz, Ms. Brändlin FGB_Fb2(at)fra-uas.de

Ms. Sandra Reinsdorf FGB_Fb3(at)fra-uas.de

Ms. Anna Dichtl FGB_Fb4(at)fra-uas.de

Regulations for Student Assistants

Student assistants have a dual role:

As students, the maternity protection regulations described above apply.
Please contact the advisory and reporting office of your faculty.
As employees, student assistants are also subject to the provisions of the Maternity Protection Act under labor law.
Please contact your respective HR department.

Procedure for Reporting a Pregnancy

Contact the advisory and reporting office of your faculty.
Invitation to a consultation to discuss individual needs and appropriate protective measures.
List of planned courses (to be prepared before the consultation).
Submission of proof of pregnancy or birth (e.g., maternity record or birth certificate).
Certificate of pregnancy and/or breastfeeding for the Registrar's Office.
Written declaration that you wish to participate in courses or exams during the protection periods.
Documentation of the agreed-upon measures, signed by both parties.

For detailed information, please see the Information sheet for pregnant and breastfeeding students (Only available in German).

Breastfeeding areas, rest and quit spaces

During the first twelve months after childbirth, you are entitled to have at least two 30-minute or one 60-minute break per day for breastfeeding. For a block seminar lasting more than 8 hours, you are entitled have to two 45-minute or one 90-minute break for breastfeeding.

The Family Office will be happy to provide you with information about suitable private rooms (see also the information under Family-Friendly Infrastructure in German). Of course, you can also use these facilities beyond the one-year breastfeeding period, as well as for changing diapers, feeding, and resting during pregnancy!

We are happy to support you during your pregnancy and after childbirth.