This information is for parents who have lost a baby before birth (stillbirth / miscarriage / or medical termination), or shortly following birth (neonatal death).

• if your baby was born alive, regardless of its gestational age, both the birth and death must be registered at the registry office
• if your baby was stillborn and under 24 weeks’ gestation, a ‘certificate of pregnancy loss)’ is issued, and the death will not need to be registered at the registry office
• if your baby was stillborn and over 24 weeks’ gestation, a ‘stillbirth certificate’ is issued by the doctor/midwife and must be registered at the registry office.

It is a legal requirement for a stillbirth or the death of a new baby to be registered within five days (unless the registrar says this period may be extended).

The bereavement midwife will discuss this with you in more detail. If you need any further information or support, please see the list of support services here.