Lancashire baby loss family says bereavement certificates will have big impact
All parents who've experienced losing a pregnancy can apply for a certificate - formally recognising their loss.
A Lancashire baby loss charity says that the extension of the certificates recognising heartbreak of losing a baby will have a huge impact on grieving families.
This comes as all parents who have experienced losing a pregnancy can apply for a certificate formally recognising their loss, the government has announced.
Baby loss certificates were first launched in February 2024 but were only available to those who had experienced a loss since September 2018.
From today, this voluntary service will be extended with no backdate allowing all parents who have suffered an historic pregnancy loss or a future loss to apply.
More than 50,000 certificates have been issued so far.
Joanne Edwards, set up the charity Friends of Serenity in Burnley, after the loss of her baby Luke, to help other bereaved families.
She told us that they will have a big impact: " Families just want that recognition for their little one.
"We can talk about and bang our own drums about our little ones as much as possible but having that tangible certificate there for them shows to the world that their baby did exist."
Joanne added that she has noticed baby loss is surrounded by silence, which is something she wants to change: "When you lose a baby you feel like that you are the only person who has ever experienced it.
"We've had a lady that has come through the charity quite recently and she said that she felt she was the only person.
"She has actually now set up her own little blog and I think a lot of people take a lot of comfort in being able to talk freely."
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:
“Losing a pregnancy can be deeply distressing - there is so much love and so many dreams for the future wrapped up in a tiny life.
"That's why it is important for bereaved parents to have the option to officially recognise the existence of their babies and how much they matter.
"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.
"This government will always listen to women and families as we overhaul our health system to ensure everyone gets compassionate, safe and personalised care.”
The extension of the service marks Baby Loss Awareness Week which is held every year from the 9th to 15th October.
Baroness Gillian Merron, Minister for Patient Safety, Women's Health and Mental Health, said: “ I would like to thank all of the women and campaigners for their ongoing work on raising awareness around baby loss – without your bravery, this wouldn’t be possible.
“ I would like to thank all of the women and campaigners for their ongoing work on raising awareness around baby loss – without your bravery, this wouldn’t be possible.
“We are committed to ensuring that women are listened to during every stage of pregnancy, as we work to improve maternity and neonatal services across the country.”
The government is working to improve women’s health services and improve maternity outcomes.
This week, the Department for Health and Social Care announced the launch of a training pilot for staff in maternity units to help avoid brain injury in childbirth.
The government has also pledged to train thousands more midwives and ensure that NHS trusts failing on maternity care are robustly supported into rapid improvement.