The Western Australian Government has launched a new initiative to help grieving parents when they experience an early pregnancy loss.
Parents whose baby has died before reaching 20 weeks of gestation through stillbirth or miscarriage will now be able to receive “Recognition of Loss” certificates from the WA Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Currently stillborn babies need to have reached 20 weeks gestation, or weigh 400 grams if the length of the pregnancy is unknown to be registered by the WA Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
The Western Australia Attorney-General, Michael Mischin, said that this amendment to the registry acknowledges the emotional trauma and devastation that families experiences as a result of early pregnancy loss.
“I hope this new measure will offer a degree of support and comfort to those who have suffered early pregnancy loss,” he said.
Sands Australia, which provides support to families in all stages of pregnancy loss and newborn death have applauded the initiative.
Sands CEO, Andre Carvalho has said, “Sands is very pleased with this initiative of the WA Government. With NSW Government having introduced a certificate earlier this year and Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory already running this function, we will now be pushing other Governments to ensure this recognition is available to all parents in Australia.”
“We commend the WA Government’s initiative; acknowledging early pregnancy loss and creating memories is a vital step in helping to deal with the grief that comes from the death of a baby and this certificate will support that process.” said Carvalho.
The certificates are free of charge, however they are not a legal document.
Parents can apply for a Recognition of Loss certificate by completing the Application Form on the Western Australia Births Deaths and Marriages website.
In Australia around 2500 babies are either stillborn or die shortly after birth each year. An estimated one in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage.
Anyone affected by the death of a baby can ring the 24/7 Sands support line on 1300 0 72637 to talk to a bereaved parent volunteer or visit the Sands website.
