The UK government has announced a significant expansion of its baby loss certificate program, allowing all parents who have experienced a pregnancy loss to apply for a formal recognition of their loss, regardless of when it occurred.
Initially launched in February 2024, the program was previously limited to losses that had occurred since September 2018. As of today, this voluntary service has been extended with no backdating restrictions, enabling parents who have suffered historical or future pregnancy losses to apply for certificates.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting emphasised the importance of this extension, stating, “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 bereaved parents need to have the option to officially recognise the existence of their babies and how much they matter.”
The announcement coincides with Baby Loss Awareness Week, held annually from October 9 to 15. Since the program’s inception, over 50,000 certificates have been issued, highlighting the significant demand for this form of recognition.
Baroness Gillian Merron, Minister for Patient Safety, Women’s Health and Mental Health, thanked women and campaigners for their efforts in raising awareness about baby loss. She reiterated the government’s commitment to improving maternity and neonatal services across the country.
The extension of this program is part of a broader government initiative to enhance women’s health services and improve maternity outcomes. Recent announcements include the launch of a training pilot for maternity unit staff to help prevent brain injuries during childbirth, as well as plans to train thousands more midwives and provide robust support for NHS trusts struggling with maternity care.
Zoe Clark-Coates MBE BCAh, founder and CEO of Mariposa International and co-chair of the Pregnancy Loss Review, expressed her joy at seeing this “dream” become a reality. She hopes the certificates will help families who have longed for their babies to be formally honoured and acknowledged.
