Since January 1, 2018, the Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG) also applies to female students, provided that the location, time, and schedule of the educational program are mandatory or that a mandatory internship is being completed. The laws under the MuSchG apply automatically. They do not depend on the pregnancy being reported. However, many of these laws can only be safeguarded if the pregnancy is reported.

The student should notify the KU of her pregnancy, including the expected due date, as soon as she knows she is pregnant. This is a recommendation; the student is not required to do so. Notification of the pregnancy should be sent to the Student Office via the contact form; please select the category “Leave” for this purpose. The form provided here may be used for this purpose. The student must also notify her lecturers accordingly. If a student is employed at the KU in addition to her studies (e.g., as a student assistant), she must also register her pregnancy with the Human Resources Department.

When notifying the University, the student must provide proof of her pregnancy. This can be done by submitting a doctor’s note or a midwife’s certificate (a copy of the Mutterpass (maternity record booklet)). The expected due date must be specified.

The maternity leave period starts six weeks before the expected due date. If the actual date of birth differs from this date, the maternity leave period is shortened or extended accordingly. The protection period following childbirth is eight weeks; in the case of premature or multiple births, it is twelve weeks. Additionally, in the event of a premature birth, the protection period is extended by the amount of time that could not be taken prior to the birth. The protection period is calculated by the Student Office upon notification of the expected due date and communicated to the student.

If the student waives the protection periods, she may continue her studies during the actual maternity leave period, take exams, and attend classes after 8:00 p.m. or on Sundays and public holidays. The waiver must be submitted to the Examinations Office. The waiver may be revoked at any time, but only with future effect (at the earliest upon receipt of the revocation by the Examinations Office). If no waiver is submitted, but a student nevertheless takes an exam or attends a relevant course, such participation shall be interpreted as an implied waiver. The exam will be considered valid. The student cannot subsequently invoke her grace period. This would give her an unfair advantage, as she would thereby be granted another attempt at the exam.

The KU is required to conduct a risk assessment in consultation with the student. The respective faculty manager or dean is responsible for this, in cooperation with the Safety Officer of the Catholic University of Eichstädt-Ingolstadt. The risk assessment determines whether the student’s studies create a situation that poses a health risk to the pregnant student or the unborn child. If this is the case, effective measures must be taken to eliminate the risk. If no effective measures to eliminate the risk are available, the student may not waive the protective periods. If a student engages in work at the KU alongside her studies (e.g., as a student assistant), a separate risk assessment must be conducted regarding the hazards that may arise in connection with her workplace and her duties. The KU Safety Officer is responsible for this.

The student must not be disadvantaged as a result of her pregnancy or parental leave. For example, she is entitled to breastfeeding breaks during exams or classes with required attendance, or she must be allowed to complete alternative assignments for internships. Instructors must be notified in a timely manner so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

As soon as a student informs the KU that she is pregnant, the KU must immediately report this to the competent supervisory authority. The competent supervisory authority is the Munich Labor Inspectorate. The report is submitted by the Safety Officer. A notification must also be sent to the supervisory authority if a student informs the University that she is breastfeeding. However, this notification may be omitted if the KU has already reported the student’s pregnancy to the supervisory authority.

A pregnant student must be granted time off for medical examinations related to her pregnancy.

During the first twelve months after birth, there is a law that allows you to breastfeed your child for half an hour at least twice a day.

There is a family room in the Main Library building. There, you can change your baby’s diaper, breastfeed, or take a break. Additional changing stations are available in the Aula Library, the canteen, Main Building E, the Center for Marriage and Family in Society (ZFG), and the Kapuzinerkloster. At the Ingolstadt campus, a changing station is available in the first-aid room.