Baby-loss certificates for bereavements before birth

PARENTS who suffer a miscarriage or stillbirth before 24 weeks will be able to apply for government baby-loss certificates.

The voluntary scheme, launched yesterday, aims to formally recognise the devastating impact of loss during pregnancy. Babies stillborn before 24 weeks cannot be officially registered, which grieving families have said leaves them feeling their loss is not acknowledged.

The new certificates, which are not compulsory, will be official but not legal documents. The certificates will be available for either parent to access for losses from September 2018, with the Government planning to expand eligibility in the near future.

Maria Caulfield, minister for the women’s health strategy, said on a visit to a family bereavement centre at St George’s Hospital in Tooting. South London: “Getting an official certificate means a lot. Parents feel it’s so important to see their baby’s name on a certificate. It’s a very difficult time, so we want to make it as easy as possible.”

The measure is part of the Government’s

response to an independent review of pregnancy loss and was promised in the Women’s Health Strategy.

The minister was shown around the unit’s specialist bereavement suitewhich was refurbished in October after the family of a baby who passed away after birth raised more than £80,000 towards its renovation.

Victoria Atkins, the Health Secretary, said: “The introduction of certificates to formally acknowledge the loss of life is a positive step towards better supporting women and parents affected.”

Kath Abrahams, chief executive of Tommy’s, the pregnancy research and baby loss charity, said: “The pain of losing a baby before 24 weeks is often made even worse for bereaved parents because there is no formal recognition of their experience.

“We’re pleased that baby loss certificates will now be available to provide a degree of comfort.”

The new scheme is only being launched in England, although people in Scotland can already apply to have their loss recorded in the Memorial Book of Pregnancy and Baby Loss Prior to 24 weeks, and receive a certificate of inclusion in the book.