Baby loss certificates introduced for bereaved parents who lose a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy

Expectant parents who lose a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy can now apply for a certificate that will formally acknowledge the loss of their child.

A voluntary scheme for baby loss certificates is being launched by the government to offer greater support to families who experience either an early or late miscarriage.

When a baby is stillborn after 24 weeks, the stillbirth is registered in a process that combines features of both birth and death registration.

However, for families who lose a baby during pregnancy before 24 weeks, there has been no formal documentation available that recognises the loss of their child until now.

The introduction of certificates has been welcomed by charities, which have long campaigned for greater recognition for parents who lose a baby in the earlier stages of pregnancy.

Ruth Bender Atik, National Director of the Miscarriage Association, explained: "For many, if not most people, even the earliest of losses can be deeply distressing, both emotionally and physically. It means the loss not only of this pregnancy but also of the hopes, plans and dreams that they had for this new life. And having no formal acknowledgement or marker of their loss can compound their grief.

"The new certification scheme will make a genuinely positive difference to many who have experienced pregnancy or baby loss, offering formal recognition of the tiniest of lives."

While certificates are not compulsory, and parents will be able to choose as to whether they wish to request one or not, the government says it hopes their availability will help bereaved families feel their loss is recognised, that they feel heard and ‘supported through their grief’.

A decision to introduce such a scheme follows recommendations from the Pregnancy Loss Review, which was commissioned in 2018 to consider the registration of pregnancy loss that happens before 24 weeks gestation.

The Review concluded that while it currently may not be possible to prevent many pre-24-week pregnancy losses from happening, much more could be done to ensure grieving parents get excellent care and compassionate support.

Minister for the Women’s Health Strategy, Maria Caulfield said: “We have listened to parents who have gone through what can be an unbelievably painful experience of losing a baby, and that is why today we are introducing baby loss certificates to recognise their loss, as part of our wider long-term plan for women’s health in our country, the Women’s Health Strategy.

“I would like to thank the tireless work of campaigners and charities for their work in supporting this agenda and making the certificates a reality.”

The certificates will be available to either parent, who has experienced the loss of a baby under 24 weeks, since September 1, 2018.

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age, be living in England and have been living in England at the time the baby died.

The certificate is an official but not legal document, explains the Department of Health and Social Care, which is also pledging to look at expanding eligibility for certificates pre-dating September 2018 as soon as it can.

Applications can be made via the GOV.UK website.

Kate Brintworth, Chief Midwifery Officer for England, NHS England welcomes their introduction.

She added: “Compassionate and personalised care at every stage of pregnancy is vital, and I am pleased that women in England will now be able to access a baby loss certificate which recognises the impact and importance of early pregnancy loss to them and their families.

“The NHS is improving maternity and neonatal bereavement care across England, including by next month bereavement services will be available in almost every NHS Trust, seven days a week for women and families who sadly experience loss.”