‘The most wonderful piece of paper’: Baby Loss Certificates extended

More parents in England who have lost their baby due to a miscarriage can now receive a Baby Loss Certificate.

The certificates were introduced earlier this year, but were restricted to parents whose baby died after September 2018. This cut-off date has now been removed.

They were implemented following a Pregnancy Loss Review by the Department of Health and Social Care, as one of the recommendations to provide people with better care.

Recognition

Baroness Floella Benjamin said: “We and the millions of other bereaved parents have been waiting to be recognised to understand the grief we have gone through”.

She explained: “Not everyone will want it but to some people it will be something to treasure”, adding that she will be “celebrating” when she receives hers.

The writer and parliamentarian stated: “Our loss is part of our family story and now there can be a piece of official paperwork to document it.”

Myleene Klass

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “I’m pleased we can now ensure all parents are able to apply for these certificates, no matter how long ago they lost their pregnancies.”

Broadcaster and musician Myleene Klass shared: “Previously, women like me had no tangible proof of our babies’ existence, beyond our own memories and the evidence that clung to our bodies. Now, at least there is some acknowledgement of the life that was carried, however brief.”

While Klass welcomed the extension of the Baby Loss Certificates, she called for the Government to go further in officially acknowledging miscarriages on medical records and setting up specialist support for bereaved parents.

Great news

Vicki Robinson, the Chief Executive of The Miscarriage Association, said: “We know from the people that we support how much the certification scheme has helped those who have experienced pregnancy loss, so this is great news that people whose losses were previously not acknowledged now can be.”

Jo Richler, co-Chair of baby loss and bereavement charity Manchester Sands, commented: “It will mean the world to parents who have experienced loss, it’s a formal recognition that they had a baby.”

She continued: “It’s only a piece of paper but it’s the most wonderful piece of paper, it means you aren’t invisible, the journey and loss you faced is recognised.”

The Christian Institute’s Ciarán Kelly said the certificates recognise the humanity of the unborn, and acknowledge the vital truth that life begins at conception.