Baby loss certificate would ‘prove my child existed’

Londonderry mum Julie-Ann Coll holds dear the memory box she has kept for her baby son Mark who died at 22 weeks into her pregnancy, almost two decades ago.

Inside is a booklet, two photos, a flower from his funeral and imprints of his tiny hand and foot.

A baby that dies after 24 weeks is officially recorded as a stillbirth, however, there is no such formal recognition for babies lost earlier.

Since February, bereaved parents in England who lose a baby before 24 weeks can now receive a certificate in recognition of their loss.

Ms Coll has appealed to Stormont’s health minister, Robin Swann, to listen to bereaved parents in Northern Ireland and introduce a similar scheme.

The minister has said his department is engaging with its counterparts in England with a view to understanding whether it might be possible to implement such a scheme in Northern Ireland.

Currently in England, all parents who have experienced baby loss since September 2018 can apply.

There are plans for the eligibility timeframe to be widened in the future.

In Wales, there are plans to deliver a similar scheme.

A memorial book where people can record their pre-24-week losses is already up and running in Scotland.

A baby loss certificate is not a legal document, but it is an official government-issued one.