Stillbirth: ‘Irish database means our son will not be forgotten’

In recent years much of the secrecy that once surrounded stillbirth and miscarriage has dissipated as more parents like Maria choose to speak out about baby loss.

Those changing attitudes are also being reflected in the ways baby loss is officially recorded by state authorities across the UK and Ireland.

But the current rules vary significantly between different jurisdictions.

In the UK all stillbirths which happen after the 24th week of a pregnancy must be registered by law.

In England and Wales, external, parents are advised that they should register a stillbirth within 42 days, but in Scotland stillbirths must be registered within 21 days, external.

In Northern Ireland, external parents are given a full year to complete the registration

Across the border in the Republic of Ireland it is a matter of parental choice.

There has been a system in place to register Irish stillbirths since 1995 but it is not mandatory for parents to document their loss.

There is also significant divergence in how miscarriages are reported – that is the loss of a baby before the 24th week of pregnancy in the UK, or 23rd week in Ireland.

Late last year, the Scottish government launched a national commemorative record called the Memorial Book of Pregnancy and Baby Loss, external.

Parents in Scotland can choose to add the names of miscarried babies into the book and they will be issued with a free commemorative certificate of the entry.

Since it opened for applications on 4 October 2023, a total of 1,493 entries have been made in the book, according to National Records Scotland.

In England, baby loss certificates were introduced in February this year for parents who lose a child under 24 weeks gestation.

Devolved administrations in Northern Ireland and Wales are also considering bringing in certificates to record miscarriages in the near future.

Earlier this month Stormont’s finance minister said she was “committed to implementing a Baby Loss Certificate Scheme” , external and planned to introduce legislation, but she did not set out a timetable.