Pregnancy and Maternity Protection

Please submit the corresponding form for notifying us of your pregnancy and breastfeeding period together with a copy of proof of the pregnancy to the Students' Registration Office (or, for students of University Medicine, to the Office of the Dean of Studies at UMG).

Proof of pregnancy is usually provided by a medical certificate, a pregnancy record book or a certificate from a midwife stating the expected date of delivery.

After delivery, a copy of the child's birth certificate must be submitted to the Students' Registration Office immediately. We also accept scanned documents sent by email.

If you also work in secondary employment or are on an internship, please also inform the human resources department at your place of work. If you are employed at the University of Greifswald, please contact the HR Department.

Once you have notified us of your pregnancy, an individual risk assessment will be carried out in consultation with you and a member of staff from your area of studies. This assessment serves to identify potential risks that may arise from continuing to participate in your studies during pregnancy and the breastfeeding period. The University will contact you immediately after receiving your pregnancy notification. Please ensure that you provide your current contact details on the pregnancy notification form.

The protection period generally covers the last six weeks before the delivery and lasts up to eight weeks after the birth of your child. This period is calculated based on the expected date of birth, which you provide when submitting proof of your pregnancy. If the expected date of delivery does not correspond to the actual date, the protection period is shortened or extended accordingly. In addition, the protection period is extended by a further four weeks (to up to 12 weeks after delivery) in the case of premature birth, multiple births or the birth of a child with a medically diagnosed disability.

During the protection periods, the University is prohibited by law from allowing pregnant students to participate in studies (including taking part in classes and examinations) unless the student has expressly agreed to do so.

During the periods of maternity protection (protection periods), as a pregnant woman you are not permitted to participate in regular studies unless you declare your express willingness to do so.

If you wish to do so, please submit a corresponding declaration to the Central Examination Office. Your individual risk assessment will determine whether you are able to participate in classes and examinations.

The declaration with which you waive maternity protection rights can be revoked at any time.

Students who breastfeed beyond the protection period are required to notify the University. The breastfeeding period can be extended to a maximum of one year after giving birth. Even during this time, risks cannot be ruled out in the context of studying, which is why a risk assessment should also be carried out for the breastfeeding period in order to protect mother and child. You can notify the University of your breastfeeding period using the form with which you notify the University of your pregnancy and the breastfeeding period.

If you wish to take parental leave beyond the protection periods, please submit a Request for a Leave of Absence to the Students' Registration Office. Normally, a leave of absence during parental leave is possible for a maximum of three years after the birth of the child.