Baby loss certificates now available for all bereaved families in Sussex

All Sussex families who have experienced or will experience baby loss are now able to apply for a certificate to honour their grief, after a backdate was lifted.

Before today, the certificates were only available to families who had lost their baby after September 2018.

More than 50,000 certificates have been issued so far since the backdate was lifted, marking the beginning of Baby Loss Awareness Week, which aims to encourage more conversation around grief.

Gemma Kybert, who runs West Sussex based charity Oscar's Wish in memory of her son who was stillborn in 2014, says while emotions often make us "uncomfortable", we need to be open to talking about grief:

"If someone opens up the conversation, just sit with them. Just be with them - allow them to speak.

"You don't have to ask them questions. Say their baby's name, acknowledge their baby, and follow their lead is probably the key thing." She adds after losing Oscar, she felt "society expected her to 'move on':

"We put so much emphasis on mental health and being happy and joyful and appreciating everything.

"Life sometimes does deal us a horrendous card - and we have to cope with it with the skillset that we have."

Now, with Oscar's Wish, she helps families suffering a loss through bereavement counselling, support programmes, and even working with local hospitals to create spaces for them to spend time with their babies.

Baroness Gillian Merron, Minister for Patient Safety, Women's Health and Mental Health, has thanked "women and campaigners" like Gemma raising awareness around baby loss:

“Without your bravery, the certificates 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.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting says:

“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.”

For support locally you can visit the Oscar's Wish website here.

Across the country, a helpline is also available via SANDS.

• baby loss awareness