Baby loss certificates introduced in England

Pregnancy loss or miscarriage before 24 weeks is the most common complication of pregnancy, experienced by an estimated one in five women in the UK.  Campaigners have said that they are “thrilled” that millions of families would finally get the formal acknowledgement that their baby existed. All parents who have experienced baby loss since September 2018 can apply.

Family lawyer and baby loss awareness campaigner Keeley Lengthorn has been working to introduce a new law that would provide 3 days statutory paid leave for those affected by baby loss. The Miscarriage Leave Bill, dubbed “George’s Law” in recognition of Keeley’s own journey, was introduced into Parliament as a Private Members’ Bill by Angela Crawley in 2022 but has stalled.

“The introduction of the certificates of loss are a pivotal and monumental development in maternal bereavement care. Whilst the certificates will be able to be used to provide to employers to take leave from work in the event of a loss, such leave will not be statutory entitled paid leave and the hope is now that George’s Law will be introduced onto the statute books to accompany the introduction of the certificates in providing holistic support for grieving families.”

In conjunction with Baby Loss Awareness Week in October 2023, Lengthorn team up with training provider Briefed to provide Baby loss awareness training.

A recent independent review looked at ways to improve NHS care and support for parents experiencing losses before 24 weeks of pregnancy. This independent review came up with 73 recommendations on how to make positive changes. Every year there are thought to be a quarter of a million miscarriages and more than 11,000 hospital admissions for losses because of ectopic pregnancies. Statistics also show that in 2021, 3,300 women had to terminate a wanted pregnancy for medical reasons.

In response, the government decided that issuing certificates of baby loss on a voluntary basis should be a priority in England.

This announcement has been praised by Zoe Clark-Coates, who has campaigned for nine years for the certificates and runs the pregnancy loss support charity The Mariposa Trust. She was thankful and said:

“the tens of thousands of bereaved parents who have asked for this, and supported our work to see these introduced”.

Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for England, said:

“[she was pleased that women] 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”.

She added that by next month, bereavement services will be available in almost every NHS trust in England, seven days a week.The Miscarriage Association said it looked forward to the baby loss certificate scheme being extended to losses prior to September 2018 as soon as possible.

Ruth Bender Atik, national director of the Miscarriage Association said:

“For many, if not most people, even the earliest of losses can be deeply distressing, both emotionally and physically. 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.”

Maria Caulfield, minister for women’s health, commented that the introduction of baby loss certificates was part of a wider, long-term plan for women’s health in the country, which forms part of the Women’s Health Strategy.

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