Parents in Northern Ireland who have lost their unborn child through miscarriage will soon be eligible for a baby loss certificate.
Passed by the Assembly on Tuesday, the Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill formally recognises baby loss prior to 24 weeks gestation. It is expected to be in place by the end of the financial year.
Similar schemes already exist in England and Scotland.
Compassion
Speaking to the Assembly, Finance Minister John O’Dowd said: “As Members on all sides will testify, losses in early pregnancy have a real and lasting effect. The trauma of the loss is significant, heartfelt and, too often, borne in silence.”
He explained: “The baby loss certificate scheme will offer the opportunity for those who have experienced a baby loss prior to the end of the twenty-fourth week of pregnancy to have their loss formally recognised.”
Julie-Ann Coll, who lost her baby at 22 weeks over 20 years ago, said the official acknowledgment of her baby’s death would “mean so much”.
Mum Gemma McGibbon lost four babies to miscarriage. She said the new arrangement showed “compassion towards parents and families who experience baby loss and pregnancy loss at any stage”.
Recognition
Such certificates were introduced in England last year, and at the time 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.
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.”
The Christian Institute’s Director Ciarán Kelly said: “These certificates are a timely recognition of the humanity of the unborn, and an important acknowledgement of the vital truth that life begins at conception.”