For some people, it can help to have formal documentation that acknowledges the loss of their baby.
In most parts of the UK, there are now optional certificates available to commemorate pre-24-week losses.
At Miscarriage UK, we offer a customisable certificate available from our online shop (with a small charge to cover postage and packing).
Following campaigning by Miscarriage UK and others, certificates are also now available from the Governments in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Those in Scotland can apply to record your loss in a special Memorial Book and to receive a certificate of loss.
In England, anyone over 16 who has had a pregnancy or baby loss, lives in England now and was doing so at the time of their loss, can apply for a formal certification of their loss at www.gov.uk/request-baby-loss-certificate
In Northern Ireland, anyone who has experienced the loss of a pregnancy before 24 weeks – or before 28 weeks for losses that occurred before 1992 – can apply for a certificate recognising their loss at: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/baby-loss-certificate-scheme-northern-ireland
We very much hope that Wales will do the same soon.
In the meantime, hospitals in Wales may wish to signpost to the certificates from Miscarriage UK or create and offer some form of certificate of their own for those who would like them (ask us if you’d like us to check the design or wording for you).
It is also important to remember that not everyone may wish to have one of these certificates so conversations should be had sensitively.