Bill to register miscarriages welcomed by campaigners

GRIEVING mothers who lost children through miscarriage have this week opened up about their experiences as a law allowing them to register premature deaths came a step closer.

Peers have approved a Bill that would bring the process of formally acknowledging babies who die within the first 24 weeks of pregnancy in line with those stillborn.

Currently, legislation allows only for stillborn baby deaths to be registered by parents, meaning those that have died after 24 weeks of pregnancy are recorded.

Families have campaigned for an overhaul of the current regime so their “heartache” is not marginalised.

Around one in four mothers suffers the heartache of miscarriage in the UK, according to charity research data.

The Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths Registration Bill 2017-19 could also lead to coroners investigating stillbirths for the first time where required. Peers gave the Bill their initial approval on Friday, meaning it is just steps away from receiving Royal assent.

Lady Floella Benjamin, the former children’s television star turned Liberal Democrat peer, is in favour of the proposed changes.

She told the Lords hearing into the Bill: “I have experienced three miscarriages myself and I am sure most women here today have experienced a miscarriage or know somebody who has. It is just heartbreaking.

“The introduction of certification would be a significant move to providing parents with formal recognition that their child existed which is what everybody universally is calling for.”

Karen Dalton, of the Chester Miscarriage Support Group, which has supported grieving mothers for 25 years, said: “It doesn’t matter whether you lose a baby middle, early or late. At the end of the day, it is still a baby and they should be recognised in the same manner.”