Debate contribution: Baby Loss Certificate Scheme and Pathology Service

Debate contribution by Ms Liz Kimmins on 15 April 2024.

MLA

Ms Liz Kimmins

Party at the time

Sinn Féin

Date

15 April 2024

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Baby Loss Certificate Scheme and Pathology Service

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4483122

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I beg to move

Baby Robyn Elizabeth Purvis was born sleeping on 21 April 2023 at just under 17 weeks' gestation. That date will be etched in the hearts and minds of her mum and dad and, indeed, her whole family, who still and always will grieve the immense loss of baby Robyn, particularly as they approach her first anniversary, which is in just under a week. Robyn's parents, like thousands of families across the North who have been impacted by baby loss, had begun to plan for the arrival of their beloved baby from the very first day that the pregnancy was confirmed. The excitement of a new baby gave them much joy and happiness. Pregnancy can be a very exciting time for expectant parents as they build their hopes and dreams for their child and consider who he or she will look like and the joy that the baby will bring to their life. However, it can also be a time of worry. As a mummy to two boys, I know too well the feelings of anxiety in anticipation of every check-up and scan appointment through your pregnancy and of how you yearn for the regular reassurance that your baby is doing well and is safe and healthy. To be given the earth-shattering news during pregnancy that your baby has sadly passed away is the worst news imaginable for many parents. The devastating loss of a baby during pregnancy is too often overlooked and treated as taboo, with many parents suffering the tragedy alone and feeling that no one will understand the depth of their loss. The heartbreak of losing a baby is a reality that touches the life of countless families around us. Today, we in the Chamber can take a positive and progressive step forward by officially recognising that loss by committing to deliver a baby loss certificate scheme for parents who lose a child before 24 weeks of pregnancy. By introducing that scheme, we can send this clear message to the parents who have suffered a pregnancy loss: your baby existed; your love was real; your grief is valid; and you are not alone. The certificate will not be just ink on paper. It will be a testament to the love that was felt, the dreams that were woven and the hopes that were held for a precious life that was cut short. It will be a symbol of acknowledgment and remembrance. I take the opportunity to read to you some of the courageous but heart-wrenching testimonies from over 4,000 parents that were submitted to a survey that my party conducted. One parent said:

"I lost my baby at 14 weeks. I just had the operation and we were sent home from hospital with nothing but a broken heart".

Another lady who had multiple losses said:

"My heart, hopes and dreams for my babies are still shattered",

and another said:

"Until you have had this experience, you will never understand how devastating it is".

One dad described how the pain never really goes away, saying:

"We can still remember the feeling of loss we felt at the time — over 30 years ago".

Today, we have an opportunity to do the right thing by those parents and put our arms around those who carry that grief by bringing the introduction of the baby loss certificate a step closer. Pregnancy loss affects approximately one in four pregnancies. Sadly, where that loss occurs prior to 24 weeks, the lack of support for and acknowledgement of that baby and their family is stark. What we have heard, loud and clear, from everyone who has kindly shared their story and experience of baby loss, and from the health professionals and organisations that provide support to families following the loss of a child at all stages of pregnancy, is that we need to do more. Whilst I recognise that everyone deals with their grief differently, it is evident that a baby loss certificate would go some way to providing many families with comfort as they deal with their loss. However, there is so much more that we can do. I commend both my colleagues, the Finance Minister, Caoimhe Archibald, who has committed to work towards the delivery of this scheme, and the Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, who is working to expand parental bereavement leave to include those who have lost a baby prior to 24 weeks. Pregnancy and baby loss can be a complex and multifaceted issue, and it is evident that no one size fits all when tailoring support for families who are impacted. Therefore, we must ensure that any scheme that is brought forward is easily accessed by those in need, so as not to create any additional stress or suffering during what is already a very traumatic time for them. Some fantastic organisations across the North provide invaluable support to help families through their loss: CRADLE, the Little Forget Me Nots Trust, Aching Arms and TinyLife, to name just a few. Those organisations bring a wealth of experience and expertise to help us, as policymakers, to develop the compassionate care and support that bereaved parents need and deserve, regardless of the timing of their loss. Collectively, they have emphasised just how significant the implementation of a baby loss certificate scheme would be in recognising the loss for families and facilitating the grieving process. Today, let us hear the voices of every mum and dad who has suffered the loss of a baby during pregnancy, and let us commit to work together across all party lines to deliver the baby loss certificate scheme.

935 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 10:00 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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